Forum
Think about what you’re doing
I am writing this article while sitting in my office listening to music and avoiding the work I have to do. I am an intern in the Office of Student Activities and one of my projects is to create a master list of co-curricular involvement opportunities for students on campus.
In my estimate: My two cents for the over-advised
Wash. U. forces you to take Writing 1 because the administration thinks you can’t write. The Orientation Executive Board gives you Choices to dissuade you from doing what you’ve probably been doing since your sophomore year in high school. Student Life commissions me to write you an advice column because they think you’re starving for the same advice you’ve been getting throughout your last year in high school.
Things I picked up along the way
There are things you know going in, things you learn along the way, things people tell you that you’ll never believe and things you wish someone had told you to begin with. What follows is a list, in no particular order, of what some of those things are for me.
A professor’s top ten hints for acing college
When Student Life asked me to provide advice for incoming students, I wanted to make sure that I didn’t subject you to your first lecture here at Wash. U. So, I thought about how I might advise our 18-year-old son who will also be starting college this fall. I realized that if I got too long-winded, he would quickly turn to his iPod, so I put this advice in a form that’s more digestible: a top 10 list. So, here are the top 10 pieces of advice I, as a faculty member, would give to incoming students.
Ramen noodles and Pajamas
As not to mislead you by the title of this article, please refrain from making assumptions that there are long-held traditions here at Wash. U. of connecting the aforementioned items. In fact, my first piece of advice to you is on behalf of your floormates: do not eat ramen noodles for breakfast.
How to make it through Wash. U.
Congratulations, you’re about to start your college career at Washington University in St. Louis. You must be a smart kid. Don’t worry, you’ll forget that by the time you leave. No, the classes aren’t impossible. You might have to work a little harder, but you’ll still do well academically if that’s important to you.
What you really need to know: what to eat
I can tell you right now, this is not a “Dear Abbey” column. I can’t tell you how to study for midterms or pull off great essays at the last minute. My suggestions will be about some fine eateries in the vicinity of Washington University in St. Louis (much more interesting than how to study for General Chemistry!).
Surviving the sciences
I’m sure you will hear the horror stories about General Chemistry when you arrive on campus, if you haven’t already.
The first day of class may be a little bit intimidating. You’ll probably be in a different academic environment than anything you’ve experienced in high school.
“Change we can believe in”
Contrary to popular belief, Barack Obama is not the only one dreaming of change. But being a college student doesn’t magically change everything. Sure, the Quad is neatly landscaped, the floors are polished, and the Swamp is resodded-a few things have changed in preparation for the entrance of the Class of 2012.
Congratulations to the 2008 graduates!
Commencement at Washington University is a wonderful occasion. Joining together with family, friends, faculty and staff, it is a time for us to celebrate and recognize all the accomplishments of our outstanding graduates. On this important day, we reflect upon new and lasting friendships, impressive contributions from our many student organizations and the discovery of knowledge in our classrooms and laboratories.