It’s been about a month since we all arrived at Skidmore for the new year, and for freshmen it’s been a whirlwind few weeks filled with new faces, new classes, and a new lifestyle. First years have learned a lot during September, and as we hit our Skidmore month-a-versary, it’s nice to review some of the most important tips and tricks we’ve uncovered since our arrival. So let’s take a look!
1. Your key card is your baby. And what do you do with your baby? Well, you certainly never leave it alone in your dorm room, or forget it in Case or D-Hall or the library. You carry it with you EVERYWHERE! And you get a lanyard to put it on so you can keep track of it (I’m talking about the card now, not the baby), because if you lose that thing, there goes $20 and a little bit of your dignity.
2. Close. Your. Blinds. The windows in these dorms are huge, and whether you’re on the first or the third floor, people can usually see into your room if you haven’t put down your shade. Most of us don’t want to flash the passersby every morning and evening, so double-check before you change.
3. This school is smaller than you think, and you have to be mindful of that when you’re meeting new people. Chances are you’ll run into someone more than once, so you don’t want to make an unfortunate first impression on someone, only to have them serve you coffee at Burgess the next day.
4. Come early to Sundae Sunday! Everyone in the world shows up for their end-of-weekend ice cream fix, and if you want the good toppings and flavors, you have to beat the rush.
5. Layer for the library. Winter may be coming, but it’s always subzero in there, and if you’re planning on hunkering down for a multi-hour study session, you’re going to be on the verge of hypothermia by the end of it unless you bring a parka.
6. Come at least half an hour late to most parties/concerts/social events. The last thing you want is to show up to something at the “start time,” find that there are only three other people there, and then have to make awkward small talk about how you’re liking college, what dorm you’re in, etc. until more people arrive forty-five minutes later.
7. Don’t do laundry on Sunday nights. It’s just a bad idea.
8. D-Hall makes it VERY easy to overeat, so be conscious about the number of French toast sticks you snag on Sunday morning. That being said, the freshman fifteen is understandable, so definitely don’t beat yourself up if you gain a few pounds.
9. Weekend nights at Spa offer the best people-watching in the world. And there are yummy snacks available while you’re at it; You get dinner and a show!
10. Time management is real and it’s necessary. As tempting as it is to pass the time with Netflix when your first class doesn’t start until 12:40, it’s really important to stay on top of work. If you don’t, those essays and readings will pile up, and you’ll be at the library until 1 am, chugging coffee to stay awake through forty pages of reading.
11. You have to make sure you’re making time to have fun! Skidmore has a lot to offer in terms of clubs and organizations and there are so many events on weekends that it’s hard to keep track of all the events you want to attend. If you ever feel like there’s nothing to do, don’t lose heart. Something will inevitably pop up. Always leave that time to hang out with friends or go out, because having fun and getting involved in shenanigans is just as much a part of the college experience as work is!
Well there you have it! A month’s-worth of knowledge in 11 short points. This is just the beginning, freshmen,who knows how much we’ll learn in the next year?