By Heather White
Four years ago when I first stepped foot on the University of Louisville campus, I’ll never forget that ball of apprehension lodged into the pit of my stomach. I felt in over my head and scared. However, it took no time at all to learn the tricks of the trade, so to speak, of college life. Knowing what I do now, if I could look back, here are a few things, in no particular order, that I wish I knew as a freshmen.
Parking – turning frustration into a walk in the park
Parking at the stadium and waiting for the bus was something that I loathed, and once I hit 60 hours and was eligible for my green pass, I quickly learned that circling the parking garage looking for a spot is equally as aggravating. Instead, look for places to park along the streets in the neighborhoods which surround U of L (such as 1st through 4th street). Not only do you save some cash, but you also get a bit of exercise walking to class and back.
Despite what they claim, bookstores do not always save you money
In fact, one of the only times that bookstores really have to be used is when a professor requires a text that they themselves put together especially for the class. Check ULink to find out ahead of time what books you will need, and then look for the books online. Sites such as Amazon.com and Half.com are especially useful for finding the textbooks you need. There are also Web sites, such as Facultybooks.com, that will buy back your books after a semester ends, and even pay for shipping. Typically you can get more money for selling your books online then taking them back to the bookstore.
Get involved as soon as you can
U of L prides itself on being a diverse campus-there really is something here for everyone if they take the time to look for it. I waited until my junior year to get involved with the Louisville Cardinal, and if given the chance I would’ve done so much sooner. Your college experience is much more rewarding when you can share it with people who have similar interests.
U of L offers classes that tend to have a more relaxing, enjoyable curriculum, such as weight lifting. That said, taking all of these classes, or electives, as soon as possible may not be such a good idea. Once your senior year rolls around and you’re taking difficult classes for your major, it’s nice to have an elective where you can take a breather among your tough workload.
Being “Undecided” does not equal “Unmotivated”
When I came to U of L, I had no idea what I wanted to do; thus I bared the “Undecided” major tag up until the end of my sophomore year. This is something that always frustrated me-all of my friends knew what they wanted to do, why didn’t I? Looking back, now I realize that it’s “ok” to not know what you want to do going into college. Take a variety of classes, talk to your professors and advisors, and get a good feel for what you’re good at. Above all else, do what makes you happy.
Your professors are not out to get you
All those horror stories that we hear in high school about the “mad” professors that can be encountered in college are actually not always true. Just like anyone we meet throughout life, there are people that we mesh with very well, while there are others that we just don’t get along with at all. Professors are the same way-some you’ll love, and some you won’t be able to stand. Either way, professors want their classes to do well and will take the time to help if you just sit down with them and talk.
Take care of yourself
We hear it from our parents all the time, but tend to throw it out the window once we are out of their sight. This includes everything from watching the food you eat (the Freshmen 15 can hit pretty hard) to never leaving your drink alone when at a party. Treat your body right, be cautious when going out at night or somewhere unfamiliar, and don’t over-indulge in your newfound, college-life freedom.
