Advice from our staff-from their freshman year to yours.
Three random things you never thought you’d need but you should bring to campus:
An umbrella. Not for the rain, though there’s plenty of unpredictable weather, but because there’s no ice-breaker like, “here, you can stand under my umbrella,ella,ella.”
Jill Strominger, Senior Forum Editor
A stapler.
Indu Chandrasekhar, Associate Editor
A 25 foot ethernet cord, Apples to Apples and lots of costume stuff.
Trisha Wolf, Managing Editor
Your favorite study spot(s) on campus:
The library. It almost feels like it was designed for it.
Cecilia Razak, Senior Cadenza Editor
The music practice room in Dardick Hall or the Business School library.
Lucy Moore, Senior Photo Editor
The East Asian Library-it’s quiet, it’s got good lighting and it’s a good location.
Michael Hirshorn, Graphics Editor
Having a roommate: how to make the most of living with someone you’ve never met before:
Eliminate awkwardness quickly by acting the exact same way you would with your home friends. You may be more similar to your roommate than you’d initially think. Also, don’t do it in an obnoxious way, but speak up when he/she does something that bothers you or you can’t live with. Otherwise, you’ll be annoyed with it for the whole year, and your relationship will probably become strained.
Alyssa Anzalone-Newman, Designer
Never short-sheet their bed. It shows a lack of imagination and there are so many, more painful, retaliations.
Cecilia Razak, Senior Cadenza Editor
Always offer up your food, even if you don’t want to share.
Nadia Sobehart, Cadenza Reporter
My favorite freshman memory:
Convocation. It reminded me of high school and began college.
Dennis Sweeney, Design Chief
Looking back at the end of the year and seeing how far I had come.
Indu Chandrasekhar, Associate Editor
Being chased around my dorm by a friend dressed as a pineapple.
Sam Guzik, Editor in Chief
What I wish I had done/not done my freshman year:
I wish I’d taken Introduction to Psychology. I heard the class was really hard and there was some Cornerstone class on how to not fail psychology, so I had this weird idea that the class was ridiculously difficult, which was not at all true. My fear delayed my exploration of the entire major for a year and a half.
Jill Strominger, Senior Forum Editor
I really wish I had gotten off campus more often freshman year. Everyone makes excuses because we don’t have access to cars, but that really isn’t a reason to stay in the “Wash. U. Bubble.” There’s actually a lot to do in St. Louis, and I really wish I had taken better advantage of all the good restaurants nearby (even though the food on campus is pretty good).
Alyssa Anzalone-Newman, Designer
I wish I had put a little less energy into school and more into activities and relationships,
had worn stranger clothes and had eaten different food.
Dennis Sweeney, Design Chief
Your favorite campus food and where to get it:
Flank Steak on Fridays (usually) at Holmes Lounge. Get it with BBQ sauce.
Brian Krigsher, Copy Chief
An iced chai tea from whispers is a perfect study companion.
Jill Strominger, Senior Forum Editor
Grilled chicken sandwich at Bear’s Den. Might take a while but definitely worth it.
Johann Qua Hiansen, Sports Editor
Fun ways to break the bubble without a car:
Take the metro…it’s free!
Michael Hirshorn – Graphics Editor
Go on really, really long runs.
Dennis Sweeney, Design Chief
Take advantage of the WeCars, Enterprise’s car sharing program on campus, to go to that cool gallery opening you heard about.
Trisha Wolf, Managing Editor
How to make new friends:
It can take time to find your niche. Your freshmen floormates might not be your best friends even though you will probably inseparable at first. I know I made my best friends at school when I really stopped trying. As corny as it sounds, just be yourself.
Trisha Wolf, Managing Editor
Wear strange clothes.
Dennis Sweeney, Design Chief
Be willing to take the first step and start a conversation. Even if you’re not used to being so outgoing, fake it.
Sam Guzik, Editor in Chief
What I learned my first week of college life:
No one tells you what you have to do, it’s all on you to make your own decisions.
Johann Qua Hiansen, Sports Editor
That losing your keys can happen to anybody.
Indu Chandrasekhar, Associate Editor
Nothing you do during the first week will end up mattering, so do everything.
Dennis Sweeney, Design Chief
My favorite class and why:
The FOCUS Cuba class for freshmen. Pepe is an incredible professor and being able to go to Cuba is an incredible experience.
Trisha Wolf, Managing Editor
The Cold War with Professor Knapp. The Cold War is a fascinating time period and it was great to be able to take a class on something so specific.
Sam Guzik, Editor in Chief
Chief English Writers. Because Middle English never sounded so weird.
Cecilia Razak, Senior Cadenza Editor
How to make the most of move-in with parents present:
Talk them into inviting your new floor-mates and their parents out to dinner.
Jill Strominger, Senior Forum Editor
Let them make your bed, put your clothes on hangers and unpack your boxes. You do the rest.
Indu Chandrasekhar, Associate Editor
Don’t try to claim independence yet. You’ll be out of the nest in like three days. Be patient.
Dennis Sweeney, Design Chief
Number one reason college is not like high school:
Laundry doesn’t clean itself, food will not find its way into your mouth without going out and getting it and books actually need to be opened (occasionally).
Nadia Sobehart, Cadenza Reporter
Everyone here is smart. It’s a common bond, not a defining characteristic.
Brian Krigsher, Copy Chief
Freedom to choose whether or not to go to class, to sleep early or sleep late, to go off campus on a midnight snack run, etc.
Johann Qua Hiansen, Sports Editor
How to survive/approach big lecture classes:
There’s a Sudoku and crossword puzzle in every issue of Student Life.
Johann Qua Hiansen, Sports Editor
Actually go to class, pay attention, and take good notes. One way to motivate yourself might be to contact Cornerstone. They often need note takers for students with disabilities. You just give them your schedule and they see if you match. That way, you get paid for going to class and taking good notes.
Trisha Wolf, Managing Editor
Don’t take them.
Dennis Sweeney, Design Chief
Why you should join Student Life!
The people are awesome, it’s a way to get heard and it’s a way to get involved with other things going on on campus because StudLife has to report and be there.
Lucy Moore, Senior Photo Editor
Student Life is a good way to feel like you’re involved with something other than just schoolwork. Also, it is a great creative outlet and a way for you to have your work seen, read and enjoyed by others.
Alyssa Anzalone-Newman, Designer
The opportunities to challenge the chancellor, see the inner workings of student groups and satisfy your curiosity about everything on campus are nothing compared to the opportunity to work with amazing people every day.
Sam Guzik, Editor in Chief