Yes, old farts like us can relate
to you, somewhat. Just heed this advice, and before you'll know
it, you'll be working for the next 40 years of your life!
Do not choose a major in
your first year! Big mistake! Take a few GE (General Ed)
classes for a year, and then figure it out. Don't be foolish
and try and hammer out those requirements for your major in
your first year! Chances are you might have a change of heart
and decide to change majors, then you're pretty screwed.
If you drive, get a
parking pass. You might think you can risk it by buying
1-day passes every day, but you will get a ticket if you don't
get one. Guaranteed. Sac State is notorious for parking
problems, just give in and buy the pass already.
When buying textbooks, you
might want to wait a week. Sometimes teachers go overboard
and "require" $150 worth of texts, and you end up actually
reading 2 books. Books that are "recommended" are seldom used.
Don't sign up for classes
you won't attend. If you're a morning person, avoid
afternoon classes. If you're a night crawler, stay the hell
away from morning (before 10 am) classes! College is the only
time in your life when you don't have to get up to be
somewhere at 8 in the morning. Early classes are often missed,
and your grades will show this.
TV Classes. You'll get
a lot more done when you go to them, rather than watch it from
your apartment. You might miss something when you're making
mac and cheese or when nature calls. And taping your class
while you sleep in? Yeah, right! It never works. If you ever
get around to watching it, you're gonna be pissed off when you
realize your roommate cleared it off the PVR to make room for
a season of "Alf".
Once you have a major, mix
in some GE classes. If you wait to take all of your major
classes at once, prepare for an ugly semester.
Sign up for an extra class
each semester, then drop the least favorite class after 1
week. Basically, this will help you avoid bonehead
teachers or classes that are way over your head.
15-17 units a semester
should get you out in 4 years. Anything less and you're
getting in a gray area. How gray? Oh... charcoal...
Budget your time!
Especially if you plan on having a social life (or a job), it
is crucial that you start to plan on designated times to
study, and stick with them. Otherwise, you'll really be
wondering how it's halfway through the semester, and you're
struggling.
Don't procrastinate your
studying. It's a heck of a lot easier to maintain an "A"
than to pick up those "D"s on your midterm! If you're playing
catchup all semester, you're making it hard on yourself.
Have fun while you're
young. This is supposed to be the best time of your life.
If it's not, then it's your own fault! Seriously... get off
the couch and meet some people.
