Let me give you an insight to my best advice, tips, and tricks to surviving (and enjoying life) here at SRU. First, come with an open mind and open heart. We were all raised differently, come from many different places and were exposed to different things. You are going to disagree, and maybe get a little mad or offended, by things people say in class or in any open conversation. You’ll hear new thoughts and opinions that you’ve never heard before, and a lot of them will be biased and not factually-based. Just keep in mind this is a learning process for everyone in all aspects of life; your own thoughts and opinions may change in just one semester. You must learn to think before you speak, and don’t speak on things you don’t really know about. Introduce yourself to as many people as possible. Spark a conversation if you see fit. The girl you may think is stuck up and snobby may be an actual sweetheart. The shy boy down the hall may be the one to give you medicine when you’re sick. The people who recognized you from class may be the ones to save you when you’re in a drunken stupor and can barely function. Help people when you can, you never know when you’ll be in a pinch. By the end of your freshman year, you will know so many people that you can’t believe you ever lived without them. Having “me time” is also extremely important. From playing video games, watching movies, or whatever else you do to relax, make sure to do those things every so often. Don’t overwhelm yourself with extracurriculars that you can’t handle. If you join a club and later realize you can’t keep up, it’s okay to remove yourself from it. It’s your life, and I promise it won’t be the end of the world.
Stock up on bottles of water! I’m sure you’ve heard that our water is below-par on the quality scale. I have no idea what’s in it, just don’t drink the stuff. Either buy cases of bottled water and be sure to recycle them in the garbage rooms, or get filtered water bottles from Brita. You’ll thank me later. Next, if you have your own bathroom and sink area, bring general cleaning supplies like Windex, disinfectant wipes and spray, bleach, toilet cleaner, dish soap, sponges, a broom and vacuum. Now this space may be your “home away from home,” but get ready to clean your room more often than before. At home, you may clean here and there, but realize now that when you come here you are constantly surrounded by people. You never know when people will stop by to say hi or hangout, and no one wants to walk into a smelly room with garbage and messes laying around. Take even turns doing dishes and cleaning bathrooms, put your shoes in closets so the room doesn’t smell repulsive, and don’t distract your friends or roommates if they are trying to study. Be considerate and clean. This makes it easier for everyone.
