How First Semester Is Unlike Anything Else

So You Think You Know It All?

Freshman year is nothing like you would expect. All of the blogs in the world could not prepare you for the journey you are up for.

1. You will call a majority of your teachers and professors by their first names. Some professors will want to be addressed by "Dr. (insert last name)" and that is okay. Respect them. They worked hard for their doctorate and are proud of it.

2. You can be dropped for missing too many classes. You set your own schedule.

3. Your mom can't call you in anymore.  In most cases, missing class requires a Dean's excuse. The Dean wants you in class so unless there is no possible way you can be in class, go.

4. There is a drastic reduce in "busy work." Professor's and TA's would like to grade the least amount of work as possible. Therefore less busy work is assigned to give you more time to work on the bigger projects and study for tests.

5. There are less days off. *SPOILER ALERT* There is no Columbus Day off.

6. Your schedule is how you make it. If you know 8am does not work for you, don't chance it. Someone (possibly you) are paying to be in school. Do not get dropped from your classes because you don't like waking up or you cannot learn at 6pm.

7. You don't have to buy every book. Look for free e-books. Check ratemyprofessor.com to see what the other students say about textbook use.

8.  Your advisor will not pull you out of class. You schedule your own appointments, you can schedule during class time but your advisor will not come and get you to ask you a question about your grades or things of such.

9. Stalling the professor is no longer cool or funny. We are no longer in the business of wasting time. Time is money and any material the professor does not cover will be up to you as a student to learn.

10. You are in control of your own life.  The world is at your hands.  Use your resources.  Your advisors, professors, and peers will only be as useful as you make them. If you write someone off as unhelpful, you will not get what they have to offer.  Nobody is going to hold your hand but rather offer you resources to solve your problems.