Last weekend, my sister graduated from high school. This fall her, and several of her girl friends are coming to CSU. I’ve known a few of her friends since before they even started kindergarten so I will not hesitate to completely embarrass them and my sister anytime I run into them on campus. It’s going to be great! But in all seriousness, starting college can be intimidating which is why I gave each of them a guidebook called “How to CSU: a Guide to Surviving and Thriving While Attending College at Colorado State University.” It includes 18 (because they’re the class of 2018 hahaha wow I’m so funny) pieces of advice for having a successful first year at CSU. Some of the advice is about CSU specifically, but other parts can apply to college in general. So without further ado, here is what I gave them.
Introduction
College is an experience. Wait, scratch that. College is a bunch of experiences – both good and bad. Some days, you will be making new friends and exploring the gorgeous city of Fort Collins. Other days, it will be 2 a.m. and you’ll be sobbing into a cup of instant mac’n’cheese because you have three exams and two papers due in the next thirteen hours that you haven’t started studying for or writing. It’s a time of growth and excitement, and it’s a time of anxiety and frustration. But all of these experiences are going to prepare you for the real world.
CSU is an amazing school. You have made a wise decision. This school and the areas around it have so much to offer you. You are embarking on a new journey. It is exhilarating but it is also frightening. There is freedom, and with it comes tremendous responsibility, which is an overwhelming thought because the reality is you likely have no idea what you are doing or are going to do. And if you think you know, you are wrong. You do not, you whippersnapper. You’ve got no idea. You may be coming in with one major declared and end up changing to a completely different field. College, and the real world for that matter, are not high school. Everything you thought you knew is a lie (Alright, maybe not everything, but I’m using a hyperbole here because they help drive a point when used properly!).
Luckily for you, I have been attending CSU for the past three years. I have knowledge, experience, and insight. And I am going to share it with you because you have what it takes to succeed. So get comfy and grab a snack because you’re about to read and learn from a long list of advice about surviving as a student at CSU.
1. Whenever Possible, Leave Your Door Open.
You have probably heard this one before because it’s important and a great way to meet the people in your hall. People are more inclined to introduce themselves if your door is already open because it’s an invitation for them to come and talk to you. Plus, it gets hot in there and this will help circulate the air.
2. Wear Shoes You Can Walk In.
From my hall to my first class was about a twelve-minute walk. I also had back-to-back classes on opposite ends of campus and had ten minutes to hustle over there. Trust me, you want comfortable shoes that you can move quickly in.
3. Keep Your Dorm Clean, or at Least Contain the Mess to Your Side.
Those rooms are small so even a little clutter goes along way. But sometimes life happens, or you have to try on twenty outfits before deciding what to wear. In those times, keep your roommate happy and don’t let the mess travel to their side of the dorm. Whenever my roommate and I were in a hurry and didn’t have the chance to clean, we always made sure our mess was contained to our side of the room and it made life much easier.
4. You Have 20 Guest Swipes, Donate to an Upperclassman.
I’ll admit, the food in the dinning halls is nothing to write home about. But free food is free food. And it’s made all ready to go. No cooking required. Around finals week you will see upperclassmen standing outside the dinning halls begging to be swiped in. Take pity on the poor things. They’re weary, stressed, and starving. In a year you’ll miss the dining hall to some degree too (Note that I am an upperclassman that you can help out).
5. Walk Around Campus to See Where Your Classes are Located.
CSU is pretty easy to navigate once you get used to it. But at first it can seem huge and overwhelming. Plus, you do not want to be late to your classes on the first day because you got lost. So pull up your schedule, see what buildings your classes are in, and physically walk to them so you know exactly how to get there and how long it will take you to get there. It’s one less thing you’ll have to worry about for the first day.
6. Explore Hoorsetooth.
Horsetooth is breathtaking. And there are many parts to it. So start exploring it right away. It’s a short drive and a great way to take a break from the craziness that is college and refocus.
7. Come to Cru.
Cru is a campus ministry that I am heavily involved in and it is truly incredible. God has used it and the people there to change my life for the better. Our mantra is “Come as you are.” So come as you are. It’s a way to meet lots of new people in a friendly, loving, and Godly environment. It’s on Thursday nights in Johnson Hall, which is by the Oval, at 7:30. Plus if you go to Old C’s after your first meeting you get free pizza. And for that, you can refer to number 10.
8. Try the Mac’n’Cheese at Durell or AV Express.
I have a passion for mac’n’cheese. And the kind they sell at the express dining centers is amazing. It is easily in my top five. Also refer back to number 4 and feel free to use a swipe to give me some!
9. Be Safe.
CSU and Fort Collins are fairly safe. But things do still happen so don’t be reckless. Do not accept any drinks from strangers (unless you are at a restaurant and the waiter is setting down that Sprite you ordered) and do not wander around alone at night. Look after your friends, and even people who aren’t your friends. If something feels off, trust your instincts because it is truly better to be safe than sorry. Fort Collins is an incredible place and you want to enjoy your time at CSU. Just don’t be careless.
10. When You are Offered Free Food, You Take the Free Food.
Okay, I know that last one was a little intense and certainly something to keep in mind for this bit of advice, but, seriously free food is amazing. Dining halls are convenient, but they do get a little boring after awhile. Therefore, if people on the plaza are giving out food, or a club has an event with free food, go.
11. There is Kind of a Cult on Campus. Do Not Engage.
The plaza is a place for free speech, which is good because the freedom of speech is a fundamental right in the U.S. But this also means anyone can speak. Sometimes people show up with giant crosses and yell at people and say that they are going to hell. Some of them may try to approach you. Believe me, it’s best to ignore it and remember that what they are demonstrating is not God’s love.
12. Explore Old Town.
Old Town is beautiful. Especially at night in December when the put lights on the trees. Fun fact: Main St. in Disney World was inspired by Old Town Fort Collins. So in a way, you have a piece of ‘the happiest place on Earth’ in your very city. You should take advantage of that.
13. Embrace the Weird.
You may have chosen a school in Fort Collins and not Boulder, but it’s still got its fair share of weird. Sometimes you’ll see people rolling into class on a Razor Scooter wearing a onesie. I am weird. You are weird. People are weird. Weird is good. Embrace it.
14. Go to the Games.
The new football stadium is amazing and adds to the game experience. But don’t just go to the football games; support some of the other sports too. All teams like it when fans show up, especially friends you might have on IM teams.
15. Do the Initiating.
Yes, this whole college thing is new and intimidating to you. Your day-to-day is changing as you embark on a new chapter of your life. The good news is, you are going to be surrounded by others who are going through that too. Don’t be afraid to start a conversation with one of them. Chances are they wanted someone to talk to but were too nervous. You guys are all in the same boat. You are no better than anyone and no one is better than you so talk to the people around you and make friends without feeling intimidated because there’s no reason to be.
16. Leave Fort Collins.
I know a lot of what I have said so far has a lot to do with campus or the city but it’s okay to get away. That can mean going home, or going to the Aquarium in Denver with friends, or some other adventure. You are going to have a blast in college, but college is not the real world. Leave the bubble occasionally to clear your head and see what’s going on in the rest of the world. It will keep you sane.
17. Be A Part of Something.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be Cru (but again, do come!). But join something. Get a job on campus, join a sorority, run for student government, play on an IM team, participate in a club or a Bible Study, I don’t care, just do something! Being involved in something helps you feel like you belong and is a way to make friends outside of your hall and your classes. Plus, it’s an opportunity to dive into something you’re passionate about.
18. Be Who You Want to Be.
You are who you are, not what people say or think you are. You are an adult now and are not living at home so you have more choices to make than ever before. High school is over and so are the cliques and the popularity that came with it. Use that freedom to be an individual. Don’t do what other people say you should and shouldn’t do because you want them to like you (Do listen though if it is a matter of safety or good advice like do your homework, or anything I’ve written!). The right people will like you for you, not an act that you put on. And when I say ‘be who you want to be’ that means act like the person you want to become. If you want to be the person that can run a six-minute mile, then start using a treadmill (The rec center on campus is massive and has all kinds of equipment.). If you want to be the person who leads and inspires others, then act like a leader. To become who you want to become you need to get up and act like them. And remember, it doesn’t happen overnight, and you will screw up. You will screw up a lot. It’s okay, we all do.
So there you have it, these were the 18 tips on How to CSU. Get ready to make memories and friends that will last a lifetime and maybe even learn a thing or two in class (Bonus Tip: Ditch at least once in your life, it’s not the end of the world. But do not make a habit of skipping. After all you are paying thousands to go!). Have fun and good luck in all of your endeavors. I’ll see you around campus!
If you’re intrigued by this post and looking forward to what I’ll write about in the future, you can expect a new post every Saturday. Also, if you feel inclined, feel free to leave a comment below about what you think. Thanks for all your support and I hope you’ll come back next week. Stay Amazing!