Oh, freshman year – a time of curiosity and excitement as you begin to embark on what will most likely become the greatest four years of your life. Although there are plenty of TV shows and movies out there that provide pretty accurate examples of what college life is like (Animal House, anyone?), there are many things that our naïve little freshman have come to expect out of their first year that simply aren’t true. In order to root out the myths from the realities, I’ve compiled a helpful list describing freshman year through fact vs. fiction. So whether you’re a hysterical senior reminiscing on a time when you still had four years to look forward to, or a curious freshman looking to become not-so-naïve, here it is: freshman year in a nutshell.
DISCLAIMER: Although some statements may apply to other universities, this list is specific to the freshmen who chose to attend the best university on the planet, also known as The Pennsylvania State University.
FACT: You’re not in high school anymore – Obviously you’re all pretty aware of this one, but it’s something that can serve as quite a shock to some students if they’re not really prepared for it. Everyone comes in knowing their parents aren’t going to be there anymore, and they’re basically on their own now but realizing the amount of responsibility you take on the moment your parents leave can be overwhelming to say the least. The best piece of advice I can offer is to focus on the good, and the bad will all begin to fade away once you get the hang of it. Skip class to wait in line for that amazing concert coming up, take advantage of the fact that you can sleep and eat whenever you want, and, suddenly, all those lonely trips to UHS and endless loads of laundry will start to seem a little less scary.
FICTION: Upperclassmen hate you – Okay, so in high school, this may have been a fact but once you come to college, I assure you that being a freshman is not something the upperclassmen will hate you for. Sure, they might poke fun as you look both ways before crossing College Ave. or laugh at the infamous lanyards you all love to carry around your necks, but the open and honest truth is this – we are all jealous of you. Like I mentioned earlier, we all come to college knowing that we’re about to experience some of the greatest years of our lives, but when those years start passing by more quickly than we’re prepared for, freshman year is something we all long for. I have to confess that I am still a mere sophomore and haven’t quite experienced the thought of being an upperclassmen yet but waking up every day and realizing that I’m already in my second year of college still serves as a shock sometimes. So when you’re at a party and someone asks what year you are, don’t be afraid to tell them the truth because there’s a very good chance that they will respond with one word – “lucky”.
FACT: If you leave your jacket at a frat house, it will be stolen – I could write an entire article, maybe even a novel, solely on the things I witnessed as a freshman on frat row. However, to spare you all the reading, I’m going to offer the most important thing I learned as a frequent visitor to fratland – leave the North Face at home. We all know how lovely State College weather can be, especially in the dead of winter. Let’s face it ladies, if you’re planning on wearing anything other than sweats, you’re going to need a little insulation. Sadly, choosing what jacket to wear needs to be treated less like a fashion statement and more like a sacrifice. When choosing a frat jacket, or fracket, as they’re known around Penn State, your goal is to choose the saddest piece of clothing you can find – just enough to get you from that bus stop to the ends of frat row. That’s right, I’m talking that GAP sweatshirt you wore every day in fifth grade or the bright pink snow jacket still shoved in the back of your closet. The more you can’t stand the sight of it, the better, because the sad but honest truth is that once you let it out of your sight at any fraternity, it’s a pretty safe bet you will never be seeing it again (at least not on your body, that is). You can try your hardest to find a good hiding spot behind the curtains or in a cabinet somewhere, but to spare you the disappointment, it’s best to plan on losing it. This whole concept may seem bizarre, and a little shameful, but unless you want to lose the only nice jacket you have right before the State College blizzards start to hit, I suggest you begin your search for some frackets.
FICTION: There’s nothing good about living in dorms – With the concrete showers, dusty air vents and ancient elevators, it’s hard to believe that living in the dorms could ever be seen as a benefit of freshman year, but you’re going to have to trust me when I say it is. Living in a dorm is just one of those things you have to experience at some point in your life because there really is nothing quite like it. Though it will never actually be quiet during quiet hours and doing laundry will be hell, the friendships you form with the people on your floor and the experiences you have with them will have the potential to last a lifetime. Whether you’re trying to stay quiet while sneaking past the RA’s room at 4 in the morning or spending your entire Sunday watching Channel 14 movies in bed, dorm life is something that should be embraced by every freshman.
FACT: If you haven’t taken a ride on the White Loop on a Friday night, you need to – There is nothing quite like the White Loop on a Friday night here at Penn State. As long as it’s about 10 pm, you can bet the party begins the moment you step foot on the bus. Although the choice in music and whether or not the flashing lights are on all depends on the driver, the true potential of the White Loop rides all relies on you freshman. So scream some fight songs at the top of your lungs and start a chant about basically whatever you want because it’s Friday night, and you’re at one of the top party schools in the country. If all else fails, you can enjoy plenty of entertainment by observing the countless girls struggling to stay upright in five-inch heels as they make their best attempt at some decent selfies (yes, I may have been one of those girls). Whatever you do, make sure you take full advantage of all the White Loop has to offer while you’re still on campus because I guarantee you will miss it’s adventures once you move downtown.
FICTION: It’s okay to miss THON – Unbelievably false. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that missing THON will be the biggest mistake you make all year. Yes, it sounds a little extreme and, being a second year committee member, maybe I’m a little biased, but I guarantee you that a large majority of Penn State students will have my back on this one. I won’t go into great detail because I’m sure you’ve all heard it before, but THON is an experience unlike any other. There is nothing I could compare it to that would do it justice. It is simply something you have to see for yourself. I would, of course, recommend getting involved in any way possible (and believe me, there are a lot of ways), but if you do nothing else, at least go and see it – it truly is life changing.
FACT: You must get a picture by the lion shrine before the end of the year – As one of the most recognized landmarks in the entire state, the lion shrine symbolizes everything that makes this university so incredible. People from miles around visit Penn State to get their photo taken by it and since you are all within walking distance, you have no excuse not to. The real reason why it must be done your freshman year is because it is a long lasting tradition to have one picture taken your freshman year and one taken your senior year in your cap and gown. Any senior will tell you how much they love to reminisce on their freshman year and having both pictures will allow you to truly see how much this university has helped you grow over the years. If nothing else, you’ll be able to create a #transformationtuesday that’s actually worth posting.
FACT: It will be over before you know it – It needs no explanation, but it has to be said. Enjoy every second.