Originally posted by: rh71
Random thoughts -
Don't join a fraternity. Sorority chicks are evil. Make your own friends.
Bullsh*t. I joined a fraternity, and it was awesome. I am having the time of my life. Some people say that us frat guys 'buy our friends' and that is crap, and usually they say this only because A) they are jealous, B) they couldn't get accepted, or C) they have absolutely NO EXPERIENCE with fraternites, and believe rumors. I am not telling you to join a fraternity, but I am telling you to not rule it out... try it out for yourself. Go around to the fraternity houses during rush week, and go to their parties, and hang out with the different frat guys... see which one you fit in... they are all different. If you decide it isn't for you, then thats absolutely ok... the worst that could come out of rush week is you get to go to a couple of parties and get free alcohol. If you do decide to join, they will give you a 'bid' which if you want to join, you sign it. Then you become a 'pledge'. Pledgeship usually lasts a semester, and it is another 'trial' period (like rush) before you become a full fledged member. Pledgeship is different in every single fraternity in every single university.
Since I joined my fraternity, I have had a great time. I would do it all over again if I had the chance. For you people who say frat guys buy their friends, NO! A fraternity puts you in a close association with a bunch of guys, and does not make them your friends. You can hang out with whoever you want and make friends/enemies outta whoever you want in the chapter. Granted some of my best friends are my own fraternity brothers, some people I hate are in my fraternity as well. Rush and pledgeship are the trial periods in which you make these people your friends... it is all up to you. Fraternities have other benefits as well. They are basically a network of guys, so you have all sorts of connections to things on campus, jobs, etc. They also have scholarship programs, intramural sports leagues, social events, and even school work tutoring. There was a fraternity on campus that gave out a $25,000 scholarship to one of its members this past year! They also are able to provide rent to fraternity members dirt cheap. Last year I paid only $200 a month to live in the fraternity house, which included all utilites paid. That sure beats the hell outta the dorm's cost, and it is within stumbling distance from where you party.
Sorority chicks. Don't rule out all sorority girls... some of my closest friends, and ex-girlfriends have been sorority girls. It is true that some sorority girls are stuck up and won't talk to you unless you are in a fraternity, but you don't want to hang out with them anyways. There are normal and down to earth girls in sororities too. Mixers (a social event between a fraternity and sorority) provide an ample opportunity to meet sorority girls and get to know them. The same rules that apply to fraternities, apply to sororities as well. So don't overlook them just because of who they are. And yes, freshman girls are easy, unless you are a freshman guy... Freshman sorority girls are even easier.
Make your own friends. Yes. I absolutely agree here... if you decide to join a fraternity, don't just look for friends there. I have made alot of friends outside of the fraternity as well. Don't just make friends who are in your classes too. I made a friend outside of class that I later found out used to have my major, and he helped me out with some of my classes. Making friends with almost everyone you get along with is a surefire way to success in college... just as long as your social life doesn't interrupt you school work. Leaving your dorm room door open will invite people in to talk, and you can make alot of friends that way also.
Study. Study alot. Studying is the key to making the good grades in college. It is completely different from high school. Here everything is tests, and if you bomb one you could possibly bomb the class. Everything counts... it is a high stakes game... the more you study the more odds are in your favor. A good way to kill 2 birds with 1 stone is to invite a potential girlfriend to study with you. She will think you wanna be with her, and you will get your studying done. What can be better than a cheap date, that makes better grades!? Classes and studying can take up alot of time, and you will have to stay up late sometimes. You will get stressed out from time to time, but hey, thats college for ya! (Especially mid-terms and finals ) Did I mention study?
Work out, or join intramurals. Eating out late at night, and eating dorm food can make you put on weight fast. Working out and/or joining intramural sports teams are a great way of being with your friends and working out so you don't gain the 'freshman 15'. (Thats 15 Pounds...) Join clubs, and try new things. I have joined intramurals.clubs including lacrosse, sailing, mountain biking, and soccer and I have had a blast doing it. Clubs also let you try out new things for a low student discounted price... keep in mind that if the prices were high to do these things then they wouldn't be in a college. Clubs are another good way of networking and meeting people... especially girls. Join student government if you have the chance. Go to the football games. They are a good event, you show your support for your team (even if they suck) and you can meet new people there. I once met one of my first college girlfriends at a football game...
Dorms. Based upon my experiences, live in the dorms your first year, and thats it. People either hate or love living in the dorms... you decide. Personally, it is ok the first time around, but I can't imagine having to live there again. If you live there your Junior and Senior year people tend to make fun of you, unless you are the RA. Besides what kind of juniors and seniors want to live next to a bunch of freshman? (no offense.) Usually, juniors and seniors live in apartments near campus. Fraternity housing is pretty good, and cheap, like I mentioned earlier. Co-ops usually have a bunch of strange people in them, but maybe thats just my campus ... so see for yourself.
Drugs/alcohol. Don't overdo it. Moderation is the key word. Granted these can be good things... too much will be the fast track outta school. Alcohol is rampant, and I have had a few friends come close to death from alcohol. Alcohol is great as long as you don't overdo it... and don't get caught underage drinking... a cop will slap you with a $500 MIP (Minor In Posession) ticket. Don't go close to operating any sort of motor vehicle when intoxicated... it is usually just a bad idea. Drugs can be good... in moderation. Once in a great while its cool, but don't get in the habit of doing it daily. It will either get you arrested for interfere with your schoolwork. And NEVER, NEVER EVER move to the harsher drugs. (ie. coke, heroin, etc.) Thats just asking for it.
All of these things will make or break your college experience. Some will help you learn more, and make some life-long friends. You will most likely never see you high school friends again, but usually college friends tend to stick with you throughout your life. College is one of those experiences where people have either really good experiences or really bad experiences. Take what I say to heart, and keep your mind open to anything and you will have a good time. It is all a relative thing. Having girlfriends in college are most def a good thing, but sometimes they can cost an arm and a leg. Don't become a hermit, and be friendly. I would stay off your computer, (or use it sparingly) for a good 3 weeks into college. College has been great so far, and I am looking forward to go into my junior year at UT. Hope this helps some, and if you would like to know more, just shoot me an email at
nmcglennon@mail.utexas.edu. Lata.