[Kristina]

What I learned my first year of college...

-Research your professors! A lot of colleges have sites where you can look up professors and find reviews about them. Also, if you're fortunate and you know someone older who has a similar major, find out who good profs are. It seriously makes a world of difference.

-Sit in the front of the class. You've probably heard it and it sounds silly, but I conducted a little experiement. I did much better in classes where I was near the front. It's a lot easier to sleep, not pay attention, and talk in the back of the classroom. Just remember, you don't have that many hours of class in college so if you go to a lecture, you mine as well pay attention.

-Go to office hours. Especially useful in big universities. Professors and teaching assistants aren't as scary as they seem when they're not infront of a huge lecture hall. They love it when you stop by to ask questions or even just talk. You have to get to know them, they're not going to get to know all 500 people in their lecture. Knowing your prof/TA gives you a lot of bargaining power if you need help/grade change/extension later down the road. Plus, you never know when you need a letter of rec.

-Buy a laptop lock if you have a laptop. My friend had his stolen right after he finished his 10 page paper, that sucked.

-Keep your door open when you're there. Basically, get to know your neighbors right from the start. No latching onto high school friends! Everyone's especially super friendly the first 2 weeks of school so take advantage. Amazingly, if you keep your door open, people will just stop in to say hi and take awe of your wonderfully decorated room (or the mess). If you're lucky, your floor will be your family.

-Enjoy your freedom...in moderation. Join clubs, you don't even know how much they help in meeting people, getting advice for people in similiar majors, and just having fun. Heck, go out and party if that's your cup of tea. Do activities with your floor, get out! Anything in moderation can be great. Just don't end up in a pattern of taking 7 day weekends every week (translate, don't skip class EVERYDAY. you don't know how many people I know who did this.)

Ok, that's all I have for now....more to come later. BTW, I randomly have my packing list from last year that's been sent out to dozens of people nationwide. I heard it helps. IM, email, or PM me if you want it.