Study Habits

In high school, you can basically "study" aka memorize material for a test the night before and make an A.

College? No sir/ma'am.

Studying in college is translated to all-nighters at the library with a minimum of 3 coffees the week of the test and hoping for a C or sometimes a D. You have very few classes where you can study the week of and make A's and B's. For most incoming freshman, this transition from high school studying to actual studying is very difficult. For some, it takes months and even the whole first semester. While it's difficult to change your study habits, all it is is consistency. Some examples include studying in the same place, avoiding distractions like loud music, and non-group studying talking. To make the transition easier, it's best to start your junior/senior year of  high school. Here are some ways:

1. If your teacher gives you a syllabus/weekly lesson schedule, pre-study the material the night before. That way you can ask questions in class.
2. After class, review the material (or after school) you went over in class that day. This helps to reinforce what you learned last night and today.
3. DO THE HOMEWORK - even the recommended reading!!
4. GO TO CLASS - Even if you understand all the material AND have a 100 in the class, do not skip unless you have a medical reason.
5. If you don't understand the material at home, there are multiple websites that are useful such as Khanacademy.com and looking up tutorials on youtube.com!

From experience, it is very difficult to transition into real studying. It takes long, boring hours. Do it now and save yourself the time and stress.

Dan, the Blueberry Gum Man

As an Auburn student, there is this wonderful service called the Security Shuttle [drunk bus, struggle shuttle, etc]. It's basically a free taxi: you call, they pick you up and take you to your desired on campus destination. It's a wonderful thing  when you work late nights and have to park on the other side of campus. Depending on what time you get on it and what day, you could have a really good, memorable 5 minute ride or a terrible one. I have yet to have a bad one. Me being me, I like to talk to people so I try to talk to the drivers. I've talked about smoking meat (yes, like turkey, ham etc), other people that have gotten on and off the van, and the blueberry gum story.

The blueberry gum story is one of Auburn's special treasures that I cannot tell, for it is not my story to tell. You have to:

1. Get on the van that smells like blueberry muffins
2. Ask if the driver if he has blueberry muffins (this is where he will offer you a piece of gum, TAKE IT)
3. He should tell you the story, if not, ask for it while chewing the gum.

Mr. Dan, the blueberry gum man (blueberry man) is my favorite driver due to his kindness to freely hand out his gum and tell the same story forty times a night, every night.

There are few things in life like kindness from a stranger, especially if it's from a service employee. I deeply appreciate this service and those who do it. It keeps students safe by transporting us to our desired places in a timely manner.

Dorm Life

Whether you want to or not, you may have to live in a dorm your freshman year.
Why should you? If you look at a pro/cons list, you’ll see that the long lasting effects are much better than the temporary ones.
PROS:

• Forced study partner, especially if you are taking the same class
• Someone to help you with your personal problems
• Doubled closet, if you both agree to this
• (As weird as it is) it’s almost like practice for when you live with your future significant other, because you know, you’ll have to share everything with them.
• It’s like a sleepover every night!
• Late night convos, movies nights (if you’re into that), and plenty of adventures (my roommate and I toured our dorm one night

CONS:

• Arguments. They will happen.
• Shared space for the first time
• You two will most likely nit-pick at each other.
• Possible conflicting schedules [includes nap schedules]
• Communal/shared bathrooms depending on the dorm

There are many more pros and cons but you get out what you put in. If you do live in a dorm (which I strongly suggest) make friends in the building, this will come in handy one day!
Some halls will have “hall events” where the RA (resident assistant) will put together an event and invite everyone in the building to it. This often involves free food. GO TO THESE!! Or even if you have a lobby, go down there and watch sports or your favorite tv show. (This is how my roommate and I bonded as well as meeting some awesome people. A LOT of stories come from these kind of nights).

Private to Public School

As previously posted, I went to a small private school. I graduated with 24. I now attend a public university with over 25,000 (undergrad alone) students! With this many students, you have different cultures, religions, ideals, and backgrounds! This seems very overwhelming but it just means new friends and study partners!
Before attending a private school, I had been enrolled into a public school. I’m thankful for both experiences because I have friends I see on campus from both!
The transition to college is tough. Very tough. No matter how independent you think you are now, it doesn’t match up to moving out. Ugh, moving out. I dreamed about the day where I moved out of my hometown and got to start over in a new town, with new people who are in the exact same position as I am. I got to pack up my room, which made me nostalgic, but excited. I cleaned out my room to prepare myself for all the things I was taking to college. When the day finally came, I was sad. I was leaving my best friend, my dad. My dad had always been there for me and could give me the truth even if I didn’t want to hear it. He was also quite the jokester. Not only did I leave my dad back home, I left my two dogs {my cuddle buddies, my greeters when I walked into the door}. I cried when I packed up my car, saying goodbye to my dad and puppies, and for the two hour drive to Auburn. It was tough.
(I’m skipping my first two weeks living at my sister’s place and sorority recruitment for later posts!)
It was FINALLY move in day, the day all seniors going off to college look forward to. All the girls in my dorm were busy decorating their rooms, saying their goodbyes, and hanging out with their roommates (some for the first time). My roommate and I had met before via Auburn University Class of 2018 page - we went to Panera one day after school. DO THIS, IT’S SO BENEFITTING! I am lucky, I have an amazing roommate. We have really similar majors, class schedules, interests, and ideals! We have yet to have an argument. I hear some of my other friends talk about their roommates and consider myself incredibly lucky.
Living on your own, is difficult and super fun. No curfew, no one standing over you making sure you do everything you’re supposed to. It’s all totally up to you to make your own journey and do what’s right for you.
With every pro there’s a con. Living on your own: buying your own groceries. Living in a dorm: sharing space. Flexible class schedules: GO TO CLASS (even the boring lectures! You’ll thank yourself later!) No curfew: late nights, early mornings and plenty of naps.
You will miss home, it’s a given. But you will be having so much fun that you’ll be thankful that you’re able to experience this. “This” only lasts for four years.

To Begin..

So, my name is Allison. Here’s a couple things about me:
I went to a small, private Christian high school {graduated with 24!}
Currently in a sorority at a SEC public university where my major is fitness, conditioning, & performance. I plan on doing research in biomechanics.
I have contemplated on making a blog for high schoolers looking to go to college {yippee!} and hopefully help explain some of the slang and how to better prepare yourself for the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experience of your life. When I was in high school and even growing up, I knew exactly where I wanted to go. I thought I knew everything there was to know about the university. BOY WAS I WRONG.
My alma mater did everything they could to prepare me for this journey from recruiters, visiting the campus, and giving me a timeline for different applications! The one thing I wish I had my senior year was a student’s perspective because it will be honest and more direct.
So this is for you!