LSU’s esteemed elite upperclassmen have spent this week tripping over people who dared step in their paths in the Quad during lunch hour. No, I’m not talking about the peppy Student Government hopefuls who filled the Quad Thursday with pushcards and promises. I’m referring to LSU’s future freshmen — the few, the proud, the Spring Testers.
I’m not going to give them hell, because I was a Spring Tester once (about 15 years ago) and I think Cuffist Rebekah Monson did enough of that on page three today.
Instead, I’m going to offer you some unsolicited advice. (You will find that much of college is full of older people offering unsolicited advice. Get used to it, kid.)
First and foremost, stop what you’re doing and look around you. Are there more LSU students around you than in all of your high school? Yup, that’s what’s I thought.
LSU’s a great place, but you don’t have to be an engineering major to realize that in a sea of 30,000 students, a couple thousand employees, a couple hundred random visitors and a few angry people preaching in Free Speech Alley, it’s easy to get lost here. For your sake, get involved in some sort of activity or campus group, whether it be a formal organization, the top-ranked student newspaper in the South (not to shamelessly plug The Reveille or anything …) or just an informal group of dorm lobby rats.
Trust me, the people who you experience LSU with will be just as important as who you get for Biology 1001.
Second, and almost equally important, when you’re confused about something, ask for help from your professors, your graduate assistant, your financial aid counsellor, your academic counselor, your resident adviser, your former LSU ambassador — you get the picture. The University hires a slew of people to make sure that you understand where you can park, what classes you have to take and how to determine what the GDP of a random country is. (Among other things, of course.) You’d be a fool to not ask questions and the people who work here would be equally foolish not to help you.
Third, do something resume-worthy while you’re here. I don’t want to scare you, but eventually, you will have to get a job, and that’s easier to accomplish if you actually accomplish something while you’re here. Academics are important, but you have to be able to prove to future employers that you’re capable of performing whatever task they need you to do. So tutor, get an internship, research something. You don’t have to be a Rhodes Scholar to realize that the number of college graduates is growing. You’ll need something to separate you from the sea of other college kids who’ll graduate in 2007 (or 2008 … or 2009).
Fourth, repeat after me — “I will do everything in moderation.” When I say everything, I mean everything ranging from alcohol, sex, calculus classes and tailgating. You’re young and impressionable, but you don’t want to end up burned out and bitter by the time you’re a sophomore.
And while I’m on the subject of alcohol and sex (and I do not mean to condone any illicit, underage, illegal activities), I have one important thing to say — Don’t become a statistic. Driving drunk is stupid, so look into LSU’s late night bus system and always designate a driver. Getting an STD is stupid too, so go to the Student Health Center if you need contraception or protection. Tap the resources here to stay healthy.
And as far as moderation and classes go, remember that there’s nothing wrong with staying in school for longer than four years. As schools raise their standards (and prices), it takes students longer to graduate. So don’t hyperventilate if you need an extra semester. Take it from a super senior who knows, you won’t be alone.
I could go on, but I won’t. I’m starting to sound like and LSU Ambassador, and I know you’re probably tired of getting advice about college.
One last thing — read The Reveille every day. (You can read it online at lsureveille.com after you go home.)
Happy trails, future freshies.