All of the upcoming freshmen are so excited about moving in yet nervous on how college is going to treat them. Picking Old Dominion was the best decision that I made of coming to college...here is some advice that no one or only a few people is going to tell you before coming here! Good Luck on making it...now you have to survive the struggle of being broke and also being hungry at the same time! Welcome to college!
1. Do not use all of your flex points at once or in the first two months, save them.
2. Get your football tickets as soon as they come out or you won't be attending a game.
3. You will get ticketed for parking if you're not parked in the right spot. Keep up on the time for your meter.
4. Do not go to parties alone, whether it's a throw down or a frat party.
5. Security guards get off at 3:30 a.m., so spend a night with your friends and go ride the lion....you're going to need big guys to lift you.
6. Finding a seat in the library is hard during finals so find somewhere comforting to study once the time comes.
7. Your ID gets you in the zoo for free, GO.
8. Become friends with upperclassmen.
9. Do not step on the seal.
10. Take a bike or skateboard to school, long walks get old especially 8-11 a.m.'s when you're exhausted.
11. Do not decide to buy textbooks until the second week of class, unless your professor has already emailed syllabus assignments.
12. Go to Walmart and stack up on stuff, the POD is way too expensive.
13. Go watch the sunset from the pier, it relieves stress.
14. During finals there are free scantrons in the Webb. Don't buy them if you can find them for free!
15. Find a study buddy as soon as you get to your first class.
16. If you're struggling in your major, change it.
17. You can't do an 8 a.m., you might think so but it's a no.
18. Don't do a 9 a.m.
19. Maybe a 10 a.m.
20. Do not wait until the last minute to do an assignment.
21. Make flashcards, best idea for studying.
22. Do not let your roommate control you, room swaps are an option.
23. Buy rainboots and a rain jacket, your umbrella will break from the wind so buy a bubble umbrella. Kayaks are a good idea when it comes to this. Good Luck!
24. McDonalds, Cook Out, & Taco Bell are always open for midnight snacks.
25. The Webb is crazy packed during activity hour and everyone is out when it's nice.
26. Buy a lanyard for your keycard and keys, everyone uses them...you're not a "typical freshman" if you do it.
27. Get to know your professors, my favorite professor continues to email me to send positive vibes...never know when you'll need the boost of confidence.
28. Go to a concert at the NorVa!
29. You can rent a kayak for a day to go down to Whitehurst, it's only about $7!
30. Work work work work work out!!
31. Get to know your hall mates, some of my best friends come from simply knocking the door asking to go catch lunch.
32. Go to events/ball games because who doesn't love free t-shirts?
33. Buy textbooks USED. Do not buy it new! You can rent and return! Don't spend all of your money on a $200 book that you can get for $20.
34. The pool is open, go swim!
35. The SRC is open, find a yoga/dance class!
36. Go on a walk, the campus is beautiful especially in the fall.
37. If your boyfriend/girlfriend goes to ODU, take them on dates to the art museum, zoo, etc. being a broke college student isn't fun, but there are free options!
38. SafeRide is normally backed up on weekends.
39. Get your prescriptions filled at Gray's Pharmacy, a lot cheaper than CVS.
40. No one cares what you are wearing to class or that you look as if you have not slept in over three days.
