Advice for prefrosh

From WikiCU
Revision as of 14:32, 13 February 2013 by Absentminded (talk | contribs) (typo)
Jump to: navigation, search
LogoFavicon.png Welcome Class of 2017 admits...
Once you're done here, head over to the prefrosh portal.

Advice for prefrosh:

  • Apply for a pre-orientation program. You get extra time to acclimate to the college environment before classes start and you create a community of friends before being swamped by the thousands who arrive during NSOP. Columbia Urban Experience is objectively the best, but good things are heard of ISOP and COOP as well.
  • Show up to lots of club meetings. They're a great way to meet people and get a sense of what's available on campus and you're not obligated to join if you don't like it.
  • Since Facebook was launched, every class has formed groups saying "The class of 20xx is going to show Columbia how to party!!" and friended roughly 1,000 people before setting foot on campus. You, too, have the right to do this, but you'll feel stupid come second semester.
  • Ask questions. We'll be happy to answer them. Making bold statements about things you don't know that well in your first month at school (e.g. the Core, or Barnard, or SEAS) will only make you look silly.
  • Everything you enjoy has come from the blood, sweat, and tears of your predecessors. When they bitch you out for being prefrosh, it's because they've earned the right. It's part of the acceptance hazing process at Columbia. We'll learn to love you. Eventually.
  • Jokes between CC/SEAS students playfully mocking the others' schools are generally taken in good fun. Jokes about Barnard are generally not, but awesome nonetheless.
  • Scourge WikiCU, like seriously; read everything. You will find out so much useful information about Columbia and unlike the rest of your first-year class, you will have an idea how the hell things work here.