Dear Freshman of West Virginia University
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Student Life

Dear Freshman of West Virginia University

Now that you have experienced your preliminary weekend as a student of our great University, I may be able to offer some advice for your next adventure into the abyss of downtown Morgantown.

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Dear Freshman of West Virginia University
Freshman Move-In Day at WVU

In the likeness of the great comedian Jeff Foxworthy, here begins my “You might be a freshman” series.

If you find yourself engaging in any of these behaviors, do not fret. It's not your fault. It was that guide who took you on a scripted tour. I'm just giving you some pointers to speed up the learning curve of how it works around here. Trust me, you'll save money, time and heartache. 

Ditch the Lanyard. Do you wear a lanyard when you go out? Did you purchase a Student ID Holder from Barnes and Noble? Well, you might be a freshman... You might as well wear a sign on your neck that says, “my parents just dropped me off.” Buy a wallet, stick your student ID in there, and whammy! You’re an adult- not some kid at summer camp.      

Boycott the Barnes & Noble Bookstore. Did you buy all your books before you even went to your first class? You might be a freshman… Seriously, don’t buy anything from the Barnes and Noble bookstore downtown if you don’t have to. It's overpriced. They have a student-hating contract with the University that is meant to take another chunk of change out of your overcompensating parent’s wallets. Not to mention most professors will have required books listed in their syllabus, but in reality, many of those books go unused. Go to your first week of classes, make a list of which books you really need, then use Amazon to type in the books' ISBN number and buy it there.      

No Seagulls, Eagles or Moose. Welcome to College. All the money your mom just spent on shopping for Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle or Hollister ripped skinny jeans just went to waste. If you wear any of these brands, you might be a freshman… Take some advice from Macklemore. Get on that thrift shop style. Throw someone with a car some bones to hit up the T.J. Max by University Town Center or the Gabriel Brothers at the Mall. Ask Dad for 50 bucks and see what you can find. The best way to fit in at WVU, is to just wear anything with the flying WV on it. Maybe look into getting some collared shorts and some flat khaki shorts.     

Let Go of Holding On. Are you that boyfriend and girlfriend that came to school together? Do you hold hands everywhere you go? Well, you might be a freshman… Guess what!? Your relationship is going to fail. You’re a part of a new generation of millennials where we don’t get married age 30. This isn't our parent’s generation where you got married and started a family shortly after high-school or college. You might be in love, but it won’t take long to see the grass really is greener on the single side of the field.      

Know Your Schedule. If you are wandering around aimlessly in the ground floor of Armstrong hall because you have no idea where your class is, you might be a freshman… I don’t really care if you make it to your classes or not, but I still want you to learn your schedule. As cool as it will be to get to know some of you, I don’t need 15 of freshman coming up to me asking how to get to your University 101 class in Stalnaker Hall. Give yourself extra time or walk your schedule beforehand to familiarize yourself with it. 

Realign Your Loyalties. I grew up a Syracuse Orange fan myself. Being from Rochester, NY and having a father who earned his M.B.A. from that university, my family was raised to bleed orange. However, when I came to WVU I learned very quickly that this was my school, these were my teams, and all I wanted was for them to win. When I went home for that Thanksgiving break, my Syracuse attire stayed there. It doesn't matter if you grew up loving the Tarheels, or your grandma gave you an Ohio State jersey when you were eight, it’s time to give that up and become a full-fledged Mountaineer.     

Learn to Drink Beer (21+). This isn't high school where your friends can simply raid you parent’s liquor cabinet. Maker’s Mark, Patron and Absolut vodka aren't at everyone’s fingertips anymore. If you expect liquor to be present and available on a silver platter at every party, you might be a freshman… Plug your nose and drink the beer if you have to, but one way or another, you’re going to have to learn to drink a cold Natural Light if you want to have fun in this town.      

Country Music. You go to West Virginia University. We sing Country Roads by John Denver after every sporting event victory. What did you expect? If you find yourself complaining about all the Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown Band songs that come on during your first home game tailgate as a Mountaineer, you might be a freshman… Like I said before, I’m from Rochester, NY where country music is despised anywhere within a 40 mile radius of the city. Once you take that first pickup truck cruise to cheat lake with country music blasting out the windows the entire time, you will then understand why it is so great.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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