The LSU Freshman's Step-By-Step Survival Guide
Start writing a post
Campuses

The LSU Freshman's Step-By-Step Survival Guide, From Me, A 5th-Year Senior

All the tips and insiders I wish someone would have told me when I was starting college.

1173
The LSU Freshman's Step-By-Step Survival Guide, From Me, A 5th-Year Senior

Here we go, guys. Welcome! I'm here to inform you of many mistakes I made my first year of college that affected me throughout the course of my college career. So I've decided to make a step by step guide to help you survive your freshman year at LSU. These are all things I wish someone had told me when I was in your shoes. And while things are already underway for the fall semester, it's never too early to start preparing for the spring! So freshmen, or struggling students, listen up. This one is for you!

1. Make friends

I know it's difficult being in large classes and intimidating to talk to the person sitting next to you in class. Trust me on this one though, you will need at least one reliable person in every class.

2. Rent books on Amazon

Rent books on Amazon if you can. Save the money. If you can not find the specific book your professor asks for, check out LSU's (or whatever school's) Facebook page to search for upperclassmen selling the books you need.

3. Take early classes

Take early classes. I know it sucks waking up early and staying awake through that horrible Spanish class but do it. I promise, less traffic and actually getting a parking spot closer to campus is so much more enjoyable than sitting in 9:00 AM traffic and being late to classes. Nobody wants to be that awkward person walking in late to a quiet class.

4. Pack food

Pack your lunch. Always keep granola bars in your book sack. Save money and do not plan to eat in the union every day. I know Chick Fil A always sounds appealing, but trust me that money will begin to add up a lot faster than you think.

5. Budget, budget, budget

On that note, try to keep a somewhat spreadsheet budget. Showing cash flow coming in and cash flow going out. Use it to be smart and make sure that you will never not have money. That being said, yes treat your self. However, you don't need that new comfy color's T-shirt in the bookstore as much as you think you do.

6. Stay healthy

Watch your health. Believe it or not, college is extremely hard and stressful. The stress you feel 24/7 can make you physically sick. It can make you feel like you're dying sometimes, or if you're like me, make you puke in the bathroom right before exams. Try to find ways to reduce stress. Running, yoga, going to the UREC, find your thing.

7. GO TO CLASS (TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY)

I think this is one of the most common mistakes. You do not realize at first just how valuable listening to your professor teach is. Skipping that and just getting notes from someone else, well that's completely different. Most students need to actually hear it come out of the professors' mouth in order to comprehend it and put it into your memory.

8. Carpool with friends when you can

Carpool. When you can, catch rides with friends. One, it can be so very convenient at times and it will totally save you gas money which could be used to buy your coffee in the morning at Starbucks instead. It's easy. I promise you will find a friend and quickly bond and begin to do things together. Why waste even more money when you don't have to?

9. www.ratemyprofessor.com

Always check Ratemyprofessor.com or even just ask upperclassmen what they think about specific professors. The key to success and good grades is finding a teacher that cares about your grades and want you to succeed as much as you do. Don't just take a professor because that's the only class time that fits in your schedule, you'll regret it once you quickly realize the professor could not care less about who succeeds or who fails.

10. Step out of your comfort zone

Attend campus activities. That's all the fun of college! Go to "fall day" and events like that, free merchandise and food like crazy! Get student section football tickets, there really is no better feeling than being in a college stadium on a Saturday night during the fall. Or my personal favorite, all the fun baseball games in the spring. Oh, and of course all the traditional "concession stand" food. I promise you won't even be thinking about all the other things you have to do as you are scarfing down those nachos during the game.

11. Take pictures, write down memories, live it up

Lastly, write it all done. Have fun. Make memories. Keep in touch with the person you became friends with your freshman year. Be kind. Speak up to others in your classes. Don't hold yourself back. College is definitely not the time for that. Be you, and you will find people who think and love things just as much as you do. I promise, those memories will last you forever. You will not want to forget one single event.

Lastly, just get ready for the best four years of your life at the best university in the nation.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57060
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

36792
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958553
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

190067
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments