San Diego State is one of the best colleges in my opinion. Everyone’s proud to be an Aztec. If you picked SDSU as your school, you chose correctly. Who wouldn’t love to attend class in perfect 75-degree weather, with the beach only a few minutes away? Not a beach person? Not to worry, San Diego has it all. From the mountains in Julian to lively downtown area, San Diego literally has it all. With SDSU situated right in the middle, you’re in for a year of fun and exploration.
When I was a freshman, coming all the way from Connecticut, going to this big city alone was slightly intimidating. I didn’t have any family on this side of the country and I’d have to learn quickly to live on my own. Luckily, I had the best people on my floor, most who’ve become very close friends. Freshman year was exciting, but it wasn’t easy. Here are some unconventional, odd, and different tips for you incoming freshman. Enjoy your upcoming year because it’s going to be pretty freaking awesome.
1. Don’t wear your lanyard to class. It identifies you quickly as a freshman.
2. Be mindful of your meal plan. Although it seems you have endless options for food, your money will be spent faster than you can blink.
3. If you have the “fat kid meal plan," meaning a $1,335 declining balance, do not buy your friends food. It might appear as you’re the rich man on campus but once you start buying everyone Starbucks, you’ll be a poor man the end of the semester.
4. Do not buy your textbooks before the first week of class. SERIOUSLY. I guarantee you will not need half of the books on your list.
5. Join the “SDSU Class of ‘X’” pages on Facebook. It will come in handy when you need to ask a question and have no idea who to ask -- 99 percent of the time, people will respond and try to help.
6. Do not go to Starbucks at the Union or the college location at 7:30 a.m. Be prepared to wait in a line longer than your actual lecture. If you do go, try to go early and beat the rush.
7. If you have breaks in between classes, spend it at the library. I know it sounds awful to go to the library, but it’ll end up being productive. You’ll get work done and you’ll have extra free time to hang out.
8. Take advantage of the books your professors place on hold. It can save you from buying a $200 textbook.
9. Starbucks allows $1 refills on iced coffee and tea. Just take back your cup and ask for a refill. This saved me hundreds of dollars.
10. Fire Fries at Daphne’s are awesome.
11. Use the trolley. Even though it’s public transportation, it’s better than going nowhere. The trolley can get you anywhere!
12. If you use the trolley, make sure you get the schedule. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve missed the trolley and ended up waiting 30 minutes to an hour for the next one.
13. Do not go on the trolley alone at night. There are many homeless people that take advantage of the loose security system.
14. Go to the football games, at least once.
15. Go tailgating at least one.
16. Even though SDSU football is great, basketball games are crazy. Definitely try to go to them, especially when you have free student tickets.
17. Line up for basketball tickets early. People line up hours in advance for these types of events!
18. Take advantage of your FREE membership to the ARC. It is a great facility and after freshman year, if you want to use it, you’ll have to pay.
19. Take pride that you're a student, and ask for student discounts anywhere you go. Most malls and stores around SDSU have special deals for students. Just ask!
20. SDSU hosts a farmers market every Thursday with local businesses. Although it’s very cool, they are very expensive. Instead of going to this farmer’s market, take a trip to little Italy in downtown. On Saturday, they host a huge street farmers market. There are hundreds of vendors and it’s exciting to try all the different foods.
21. Always make sure you have snacks in your dorm room. The market closes early and at weird times.
22. Buy scantrons in bulk. Once you learn what scantrons you need, just buy a hand full. No one wants to be stressed the day of a test, and boggled down by having to run and get a scantron.
23. Make a friend in your class, even if it's a 20 person, super small, awkward class. It will save you each time you forget what the assignment is. Help each other.
24. Be as outgoing as you can. College is not the time to turn into a turtle and hide in you shell.
25. Go to the events that SDSU hosts during welcome week. They’re actually pretty cool and free to all students.
26. Join a club. It helps you meet people and gets you involved in the campus.
27. If you're a sushi lover, go to RB SUSHI. It’s on El Cajon Blvd. (about .5 miles away from State). They have really good sushi and an all you can eat deal. It’s $25 for all the sushi rolls you can eat.
28. San Diego has so many restaurants, so don’t waste your time on mediocre ones. Go to the restaurants that the locals recommend. You’ll thank them later.
29. It does get start to get hot outside around 11 a.m. Make sure you drink water when you’re walking around. It’ll keep you from sweating and looking like a mess when you arrive to class.
30. Go downtown and walk the Gaslamp district at night. All the stores are open, and it’s really a cool sight to see.
31. Come Halloween, go the Scream Zone, Balboa Park and Downtown. These location all hold fun haunted houses and fun events. Just because your campus is awesome, doesn’t mean you need to be confined to it! Explore SD.
32. If you're lucky enough to have a car, go to the beach. Seriously. I said I would go to the beach all the time, and I never did.
33. If you do go to the beach, bring a ball or volleyball. They have nets along the beach and fire pits in case you want to have a bonfire!
34. Ride the Belmont roller coaster at least once.
35. Go to La Jolla shores and see the sea lions up close! Not too many other places you get to see these amazing creatures just a couple inches away.
36. Pacific beach and Ocean beach are always busy on the weekends. Expect parking to be crazy.
37. Cops are pretty strict on the weekends. Be mindful of your actions and make sure you’re always with someone. Don’t do something that can land you a ticket, or even worse, jail time.
38. Go bowling at Aztec Lanes. For arc members, it’s only a $1! It's a good way to just kick back and relax with your friends.
39. Did you know that the ARC has saunas? Just try it out once.
40. If your professor lets you, record their lectures. It’s a good safety measure in case you happen to fall asleep in class.
41. Look for coupons for dominos. Don’t buy one pizza when you could have bought two for the same price.
42. Rock your SDSU gear. Our colors are sick and a lot of the merchandise at the bookstore is really nice.
43. Buy the academic planner at the bookstore. Inside are monthly coupons you can use at different restaurants on campus and on merchandise in the store.
44. Don't buy supplies at Target. Go to the dollar store. It’s the same quality and honestly, you probably won't even need or use the 8 notebooks you purchased.
45. Make a roommate agreement and actually follow it. Fighting with your roommate is the last thing you want.
46. Respect your RAs. A lot of them want to make this a great year, and only maybe one or two are actually on the hunt to write up their residents. If you’re friends with them, the more comfortable the whole living situation will be.
47. Clean your dorm room. Dust piles up quick and you won't even notice until it’s too late. Invest in some wipes and a small vacuum.
48. Use this time to be who you want to be. You’re away from home, unrestrained by preconceived ideas of who you are, and able to make new impressions. Take advantage of this.
49. Don't lose yourself either. Stay true to yourself, your beliefs, and morals.
50. Have a good ass time. It’s college. There won’t be a time like this ever again.
