COLLEGE. - Baylor!

[Swimdude]

Today is Sunday. I leave for COLLEGE on Thursday.

So, just 2 very simple questions:

1. Is there anything you forgot to take to college that you wish you had remembered?

2. Do you have any other advice? [No matter how random.]

Thanks y'all! [That's my Texan speaking.]

[Skywatch_NC]

1. and 2. are N/A for me...but...

I wish you the VERY best, swimdude!

[Miss Mary]

I have a daughter going into her second year of college - in a week! I remember our daughter printing a checklist which greatly helped (towels, bedding, etc.) but I recall it was the small items we just didn't think of until she got there. Up to Target we went and we ran into other students/parents, all shopping and doing the same things - picking up items that just didn't occur to them back home. The 3M products for stick up wall hooks (student ID, dorm keys), stick up wipe off message board for the dorm door, guys use them too I heard. Tape to hang posters, S hooks to hang from the dropped ceiling for decorations, etc. More I just can't think of right now. We also took along a travel dolly for luggage - it really came in handy wheeling in the small fridge! I remember seeing other parents lugging them inside, standing there holding them waiting for the elevator.

One cool ideal our daughter got from a past college visit tour guide - she made a neat 10 foot by 10 foot area rug in her dorm, by taking carpet remnant samples and taping them together on the back with duct tape. It really turned out cool!

I wish you the best in school swimdude! You'll do great. I'm sure if I were to ask my daughter what advice she'd give, she'd suggest you volunteer and get busy. She did make a lot of new friends that way - thru service on campus.

Mary

[coriolis]

Did you remember the keg tap?

[Yarrah]

What exactly are the differences between university and college? I always thought that they were very much the same, but I'm starting to doubt now.

Anyway, have a great time there Swimdude.

[vbhoutex]

What exactly are the differences between university and college? I always thought that they were very much the same, but I'm starting to doubt now.

Anyway, have a great time there Swimdude.

Here in the US there is no difference. Once y ou graduate high school(12th grade) here in the US you go on to the University which some also call college. The university is made of of different colleges, like the College of Engineering, College of Liberal Arts, etc.

BEST OF LUCK Swimdude!!!!

[coriolis]

What David said. In general, colleges tend to be smaller and more limited in the programs that are offered. Two common types of colleges are teachers colleges and liberal arts colleges. They often focus on a narrow range of programs. In Pennsylvania, there are state-owned teachers colleges that concentrate on cranking out teachers for public schools. There are also a number of small private liberal arts colleges that don't do much research. Univeristies can be public or private, but they usually offer a wide range of degree programs and often are heavy into research in the sciences.

[gtalum]

What exactly are the differences between university and college? I always thought that they were very much the same, but I'm starting to doubt now.

Technically, in the US, a University must offer a wide range of fields and post-graduate study. A university is made up of several separate colleges. A college can have much more limited choices for field of study and generally will not offer post-graduate study.

[Swimdude]

It would also be weird if I titled this entry "UNIVERSITY"... College just seemed like a better choice. Haha.

Anyone else have anything to mention? Thanks to the people who answered my questions!

[gtalum]

One piece of advice: Remember to balance yoru school life and social life. College is really abotu both. You don't want to fail out, but you don't want to study so much that you have no fun. It may take a semester or two to find the balance, but it is critical to an enjoyable and successful college experience. Try to be active in extracurriculars.

As a fraternity member, I would also highly recommend that if the college you attend has fraternities and sororities that you go through the rush process. You don't have to join if you don't want to, but you may find one that you really want to join. You will find that almost all of them don't match up to the stereotypes you see on tv and in the movies, and you'll see that every group is very different from every other one. Regardless, you'll get a lot of free food for the week.

[Yarrah]

Thanks for the answers everyone. Amazing how much our school systems differ. You'd think they would be almost the same.

[fwbbreeze]

As a fraternity member, I would also highly recommend that if the college you attend has fraternities and sororities that you go through the rush process. You don't have to join if you don't want to, but you may find one that you really want to join. You will find that almost all of them don't match up to the stereotypes you see on tv and in the movies, and you'll see that every group is very different from every other one. Regardless, you'll get a lot of free food for the week.

I also agree STRONGLY with this sentiment. Being a fraternity member was the most rewarding experience of my life. There are always going to be a few bad apples in life, but don't let the negativity towards being a greek that you see on TV and elsewhere influence your opinion. Check it out and decide for yourself!!

fwbbreeze

[j]

a few things:

* an oxygen mask and spare tanks. You will need these to make it through the all night bong parties.

* a good quality pair of ear plugs in case your not crazy about Grateful Dead music till the wee hours of the morning.

* always have a stash of food that you can keep under lock and key. It will be stolen if left out.

But in all seriousness, you must possess the ability to get it done despite the distractions of the college party life. Keep a level head and remember why your there, and who's paying for it.

[yank]

Puhleeeze, j, you're "dating" yourself - they don't listen to Grateful Dead in college like they did when YOU went!

Hmmm, I have some advice:

Learn to shotgun a beer and you'll be a hit at frat parties.

Oh, and always wear panties, especially when attending those frat parties - you never know when you'll want to "bar-dive" (don't ask, just say yes).

Be sure to befriend upper classmen - they know the best drink deals at the best bars in town.

College baseball players are almost always hotter than than college football players.

Choose a college with team colors that suit your complexion type.

Never...NEVER...sign up for classes before 10 AM if possible - puts a damper on partying plans the night before.

Oh, yes...and remember to study hard!

[P.K.]

Thanks for the answers everyone. Amazing how much our school systems differ. You'd think they would be almost the same.

It is different here as well. College is for people between 16 and 18 who don't continue at secondary school after their exams at the end of year 11 at which point they reach the end of complusory education. University is then what you go to after you leave secondary school or college at 18. I went straight from secondary school to university at 18.

That thing with the food is correct if you are in halls. It will go missing if you are unable to lock it up which can get VERY annoying.

Loud music from your neighbours, that will happen. Had someone from Macedonia next to me in my first year who like playing it at full volume, so put it this way we didn't really like each other and he knew it!

[george_r_1961]

One piece of advice: Remember to balance yoru school life and social life. College is really about both. You don't want to fail out, but you don't want to study so much that you have no fun. It may take a semester or two to find the balance, but it is critical to an enjoyable and successful college experience. Try to be active in extracurriculars.

As a fraternity member, I would also highly recommend that if the college you attend has fraternities and sororities that you go through the rush process. You don't have to join if you don't want to, but you may find one that you really want to join. You will find that almost all of them don't match up to the stereotypes you see on tv and in the movies, and you'll see that every group is very different from every other one. Regardless, you'll get a lot of free food for the week.

Thats darn good advice. You do not want to flunk out of college for goofing off too much; that doesnt mean you cant have a little fun though.

[Swimdude]

Hehe. If only y'all knew what school I was going to, all this advice would be a LITTLE different. Let's just say it isn't much of a party school...!

[Miss Mary]

Swimdude - just thought of very useful advice! Our daughter had to switch banks before school started, for checking. They suggested she take out a credit card - just one. To establish good credit. They told her to avoid all the free credit card offers she'd receive, either in the mail here at home or at booth fairs on campus - fill out this card for a free T shirt. Well, that T shirt isn't free. We've heard about college students having multiple credit cards, which are very tempting to have. They end up with lots of credit card debt before they even graduate. Bottom line here is our daughter doesn't even see why she needs one credit card in the first place and she only charges less than $50 a month, paying it off at the end each month too. But she could have ended up with half a dozen "free" credit cards if she wasn't careful. Just don't fall for these scams!

[CajunMama]

Hehe. If only y'all knew what school I was going to, all this advice would be a LITTLE different. Let's just say it isn't much of a party school...!

So where are you going?

[Swimdude]

Hehe. If only y'all knew what school I was going to, all this advice would be a LITTLE different. Let's just say it isn't much of a party school...!

So where are you going?

Perhaps the title of the thread now answers your question?

How to say this... I haven't had more than 4 ounces of alcohol - ever - combined - in my entire life. So I don't think I'll be doing all this beer chugging challenges, but I appreciate the advice, and I'll certainly pass it along to my roommate, whom I happen to know would be into these said "beer chugging" extravaganzas.

And I must emphasize - this is a choice I've made. My parents even encourage me to drink occasionally. But it's just not for me.

Thanks for the great advice everyone!!