Off to see the Wizard...

[High's .Valentine.]

Wizard of...college? ._.

So. My magnificent FM peeps. Your Admin is officially in college!

Well, classes haven't started, but I'm here for a week of orientation. It's been busy. *was running and packing all day*

What can I say? I can't be around much for the next while. Who knows how long? :\ For now, I don't have hw. XD When I do, I dunno how much I can stick around. Maybe I'll have lots and lotsa time to spend with you guys. Or...maybe not.

But eh. This is just so if I go poof, you guys will know where I am. XD And so you guys dun like...strangle me for not doing work.

Dun be bad kids while I'm gone!

[Legit]

Well, Good Luck in College, I hope to still see you around a bit though =)

[nascent]

Ah, college... I could tell you some stories, Northie, but I won't. A few words of advice, however:

• Week three of classes is typically when everything hits the fan. Unless your professor was born evil (and some of them are) then the first week will be a breeze and the second week will feel like no big deal. THIS IS TO LULL YOU INTO A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY!! If you don't hit the ground running on week three the work will just pile up for the rest of the semester...

• Ask lots of questions. Asking questions will often create the impression that you're an engaged, intelligent bookworm of a student (even if you're not). Most people are afraid to ask questions in class for fear of the response "That was covered in the reading... you did do the reading, correct?". SHOW NO FEAR. If you ever get that response, just fire back with "Yes, but it seemed a bit vague / I wasn't exactly sure how that fits in with what we've been learning the last few weeks... could you please clarify the reading for me?" (Sometimes you'll even catch THEM not knowing what they're talking about!) There is often more truth in the question than in the answer, so don't be afraid to ask anything and everything that's relevant.

• The textbook industry is EVIL INCARNATE. I could go on and on about this one... but the important things you need to know are these. One: If you can avoid it, don't buy your textbooks until AFTER the first day of a class. Two: Be sure to ask your teacher if they'll let you use older editions of the textbook(s) (which are usually FAR less expensive). If yes, proceed to the Internet or the nearest used book store and prepare to quest. If no... Three: don't just get steamrolled. Companies often manipulate colleges and universities into believing they HAVE to use the newest edition EVEN IF it's virtually IDENTICAL to the previous one. Ask the professor (publicly if possible) what the difference in content between the new book and the old one is. If they don't know (AKA: haven't even looked at it), you can assume it's safe to use the older book. If they refuse to answer the question or try to stonewall you (some will), point out that you have a limited income and that the new book is very expensive. Also, you can usually play the 'students' rights' card here. This can create tension between you and the professor, but it will also save you hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars. I kid you not.

• Always find out a professor's office hours. If they're not in the syllabus, ASK. If they say they don't have office hours ask who you can go to instead. Most colleges require professors to have weekly office hours where you can freely go and ask questions or get help from them; find out if this is the case.

• Get an alarm clock. 'Nuff said.

• Midterms and finals. Don't schedule ANYTHING ELSE within two weeks prior to them, and assume you'll be unavailable for online life. Just trust me on this one.

[Akito]

Wow, you've just mirrored everything I've been through and was going to say, Nas.

You're doing an arts course with history or something thrown in there, right High? Hm, I'd imagine it'd be more assignment based than text-readings and exams; but then again, there is art theory.

[Beaver Dude]

If we're going to go all out on Uni wisdom...

About the books, generally there are a couple of different places to get them but most of the time doing research solo is really hard. Getting to know other people who are in your program (preferably a year or two advanced) is a good idea and if you're doing orientation you can ask whoever's your guide. If there's a student-run used textbook thing on or near campus GO. Rain or sleet or hail or (okay, maybe not hail) or sunshine - they run out of books really quickly and aren't nearly as infuriating as the secondhand books from the 'official' bookshop that are marked up like craaaaazy.

There's probably also an online service available.

Hnnn... what else. Look at the events calendar. You'll miss tons of stuff if you aren't paying attention and some of it is probably worthwhile. Drop in on your teachers ALL THE TIME like Nas suggested. Most arts teachers like the attention and they have the time for it too. My science teachers on the other hand...

Midterms. I dunno if it's just my university but it feels like mid-terms just start at about week four and NEVER END. Nas' suggestion to study? Yes. Yes it's a VERY good idea.

That's all I remember atm that's general and prolly of some tiny little use. xD

~Dei

[ophelia]

College sounds wicked scary, and awful...and scary....XD Did I say awful?

Don't let it like, devour you. We want our admin back one piece thanks very much. (And not one piece that has been taped and or super-glued back together.)

[kempff]

LMFAO, you're all doing exactly what she doesn't want anyone to. She's sick of advice atm.

And I'm sure High's loving her orientation week. ;]

I knew this was your thread when I saw the title High, just somehow.

[High's .Valentine.]

3 in the morning.

Exhausted.

Had random people in my dorm room all night...I don't think she knows my name and I wasn't sure about her's....

=_= Tired. Gotta wake up before 12 tomorrow. Thanks for the advice though, guys. Unlike what Nivi said, I wouldn't mind advice. XD Especially with the whole...book thing. Seriously though...studying for art class? >_> More like...staying up until four doing projects. And then catching 8 o clock classes the next day. [god, that's going to end up killing me...]

[Legit]

Is Highwind a Playa?
o.o

Keep up the good work. If I may ask, what college are you going to?

[Beaver Dude]

Oh yeah, High's the biggest, baddest playa on all of FM. Except for Aki who is far more amazing.

If anyone saw me say otherwise, they were dreaming. Or I hated myself then. Like I'd hate myself if I said anything to contradict this solid fact.

I am a ninny.

[High's .Valentine.]

Before the Uke changed that message, it said I was more pimp than Akito. >D

So, I come back for the weekend. Finally get internet connection and is like...where did everyone GO??!!

But yeah, school. XD

So, my internet really sucks. D8 I got the bad part of the deal when it came to desks. The ethernet port was on my friend's side, and none of our cables are long enough to reach all the way to my side of the room so I had to deal with no internet...

But yeah, hopefully soon, my friend's bringing down an ultra long ethernet cable for me. =D

School finally starts next weeeek!

[Medy]

Yes, I have logged in purely to wish you luck with starting college and stuffs. It's a new chapter in your life and one that I can guarantee will be some of the best years of your life.

As for advice, I'm not going to give you any aside from one simple note: enjoy yourself. Yes, this is something that is going to be important for your future, but at the same time it's where you are probably going to meet a lot of people who will be close friends for the next few people. Whilst it's important for you to study for your course, you should at the same time keep a healthy social life. Participate in what college has to offer with activities and societies and just meet everyone and have a laugh.

I'm getting ready to enter my second year and I'm living with a group of people I've known since the first week of college and people who I'm good friends with. Get to know your dorm-mates quickly as well as the people who are on the course with you. Socialising is just as important as studying.

But, I'll end the rant there. You're a sound kid and you'll do just fine. Just remember; enjoy yourself. This is your story now (had to get an FF quote in somewhere).

~ Medy.

[kempff]

Yo Medy, hijacking your thread panda god, where's your college again?

[Medy]

Bristol, England; the city that constantly parties. =D

[kempff]

Bristol, eh? I'll be looking over your way in a few years for continued study. *end hijack*