Category: School
Take a filler class! - I know that y'all are super excited to take all major classes and graduate in three years, but the reality is, college is hard! When I was a freshman, I was busy battling the Stern curve for some A-minuses and getting some solid B-pluses instead. Trust me, once the workload piles up, you'll really wish you had one easy class to fall back on. It's always good to take a fun class to take your mind off other stress!
Plus, the added smaller booster to your GPA really makes the difference from a 3.4 to a 3.5 when it's time for junior year recruiting.
Jinna's Recommendations: Group Vocal, Individual Vocal, Intergroup Dialogue (Spring only), and Metalsmithing.
Category: Friends
"Where do I make friends?" you ask. Truthfully, freshman year is the easiest time to make friends during your time at NYU. Everyone is willing to "friend-settle" since almost no one comes in with a build-in circle of friends, and everyone is open to meeting different types of people. The question really is: "Where can I meet them?"
Dorm Floor - Many of my closest friends to this day are from my freshman year floor. (Founders what what!) If you just keep an open door, friends will literally flock in. Be nice, share your hangers, lend a hand with moving boxes. Since people spend most evenings at home, it's so easy to swing by and make casual plans, find a dinner buddy, or someone to do homework with! Make your dorm friends early so you have friends to come home to!
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| My first floor meeting! |
Student Clubs - The easy part: Go to Clubfest, sign up for any listserv that remotely interests you, attend a meeting here or there. The emails keep you updated on what events the clubs have planned, and you can easily unsubscribe at anytime. My freshman year, I went to Coles and collected fliers like Buddy the Elf on Christmas. I think I signed up for Chinese Mei Society, Chicken and Rice Club, Violet Circus Arts, and at least 20 other things. No matter how strange a club might seem, just show up to a meeting and give it a chance. The people are super welcoming, and there's usually free food every Thursday/Friday evenings!
The harder part: You should also apply for "E-board" positions ("E" stands for Executive) for a club you are interested in. As a part of the E-board, you go to weekly meetings and work with 10-15 people to make the events happen. I've found that it's a great way to get involved, and meet upperclassmen who really take you under their wing. I found my first club family at NYU by interviewing for a freshman rep position. Although the idea of an interview might be scary or seem unnecessary, it is really well worth the investment. Great to put on your resume!
School doesn't have to be the only place to meet people either. Get involved in some outside organizations either through a church group, find some odd jobs on Wasserman, or volunteer! Small opportunities will eventually lead to bigger ones and you find lots of amazing people along the way. It's super important to meet people in different schools and different communities, it will keep you sane and grounded as you get sucked into the inevitable quarter-life crisis. If you're in Stern, make some Tisch and Gallatin friends! If you are in Steinhardt, meet someone in nursing!
Category: Partying
I remember coming into freshman year all ready to parrrr-tay! And then I was like: "Oh wait, I have to be over 21?!" Instant bummer. Although 18+ parties exist, they are usually just a watered-down, overly-crowded version of what an NYC club should be like (save your $20 dollar cover charge and skip them, and avoid this promoter Amanda Sarah at all costs).
At times and especially on the weekends, it did seem like there was segregation between those with fake IDs, and those without. It is easy to feel left out when you are not one of the privileged few with a look-alike and understanding older sibling (or IDChief). But as a senior, when I compare my freshman experiences with new friends, it seemed that with or without an "over 21" ID, we all found different ways to thoroughly enjoy our freshman year - from shooting pool at Rubin, getting busted playing dorm room beer pong, schmoozing our way into Avenue, or making 2am halal runs. So really, don't feel like you are missing out on much. And if you wanted to order IDs, do it early on.*
Here is a list of fun things I would rally people to do:
-Eating trip in Flushing (another Chinatown in Queens)
-Camp out for Saturday Night Live
-Plan a dessert trip (Chikalicious, Big Gay Ice Cream, Butter Lane, Magnolia, Georgetown Cupcakes)
-Take advantage of discounted tickets at Ticket Central! Save $$$ and go buy nice stuff.
What you DON'T have to do:
DON'T smuggle dozens of cookies back from the dining halls, unless you think the freshman 15 looks good on you.
You DON'T have to come in knowing what investment banking is (everyone calls it "banking," but it is NOT the people you see at Chase counting money). Google it.
You DON'T have to read all the books in your Texts and Ideas or liberal arts classes, choose excerpts and know those excerpts well. Then cite those passages to support your thesis.
DON'T even buy all the books! At least a few people on your floor will have the same books, borrow and read a few excerpts (see above).
DON'T get stuck in high school drama, even over the internet. It could be such a time and energy suck! Shake it off and do your own thing.
DON'T feel like you are doing something wrong if you aren't having the time of your life. College is hard, meeting new people could be exhausting, and so is managing your own schedule. Cut yourself some slack.
With that, have a super freshman year! Upperclassmen friends, do you have any cool tips for freshies? Leave a comment below!
*This blog does not support the use of fake IDs, since they are illegal you know. That being said, the earlier you order, the more value you get out of them.
