AMID your rigorous academic course load, studying and the occasional nap or two (a college essential), you will find at first glance that you have a lot of free time. Think about it: The average number of credits per semester is 15. Suddenly you've gone from sitting in a classroom for about 35 to 40 hours per week to 15. How are you going to fill up the other 21 hours left in each day?
Aside from living away from home and not seeing your high school friends on a daily basis, a drastic change in your schedule will be one of the most noticeable adjustments you will face. Instead of the rigid, 43-minute eight class periods your high school day was chopped up into, college is vastly different. You can choose your own classes, opt for a noon class instead of a 7:10 a.m. first period, and, if you're lucky and skillful enough (unlike myself), arrange to have no Friday classes.
As I was mulling this over at summer orientation, I seriously pondered what college students did all day. When I arrived in the fall, I quickly was reassured that there was more than enough to keep me occupied for the entirety of my college career.
One of the numerous events in the first few days of your first year is the activities fair. Everyone should stop by the Amphitheatre for a few minutes because it really gives you a flavor for all that the University has to offer, besides all the free food, t-shirts, Frisbees and other paraphernalia. There are literally hundreds of clubs and groups to join, ranging from crew to the Mahogany Dance Troupe to Amnesty International to the University Singers.
If you see something that catches your eye, and with over 500 organizations, you are bound to, sign up on e-mail lists to get information and meeting times. Most groups heavily advertise their inaugural meetings, which is a great chance to meet new people who share some of the same interests. Most of my friendships in college started from meeting people involved in the same activities.
When classes start, however, you will quickly realize that the general rule of thumb you will hear over and over again actually has some merit: "For every class hour, students should prepare for two to three hours outside of class." Translation: not as much free time as you think. In high school, many of us were involved in a minimum of a dozen activities/sports/clubs, got straight A's while opening up a book every once in a while and still had time for a social life.
In college, some of the activities are more time-consuming than high school, in addition to the "actually having to do work" factor. After surveying the smorgasbord of CIOs, it's best to commit to two or three (depending on your course load) that you know you will really enjoy.
Aside from organizations on Grounds, there is so much that goes on at the University. The University Programs Council arranges for various musical artists and comedians to perform throughout the year. The sporting events are exciting and part of tradition as well. The University and different groups bring in world-renowned speakers frequently, who speak on a myriad topics -- political, social, religious, artistic, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. This past year I've gone to see at least two dozen phenomenal lecturers and guest speakers.
This is truly a unique learning institution. On the surface, people might joke about the quintessential University student -- polo shirts with the flipped up collar (with bright pink being the color of choice for the guys), pearls, Dockers and lots of J. Crew and Ralph Lauren. But you will find that students abide by the "work hard, play hard" model; they pursue their passions, intellectually engage one another in discussions about everything and anything both inside and outside the classroom and expand their horizons in academics and extra-curricular activities.
While there is certainly a diversity of views here, mutual respect is one quality that does not waver. I can honestly say I haven't met an unkind person here. In my experience, I have found my peers to be genuinely friendly, courteous (true to Southern hospitality) and caring.
I would leave incoming first years with this bit of advice: Cherish your time here at the University. It flies by. I walked out of my last final in a daze, reflecting on the whirlwind of one year, wondering how fast the others would pass. Take ownership of your college experience. Get involved in activities that interest you, sharpen your mind, balance work and play and embrace all the opportunities this University has to offer.
Whitney Blake is a Cavalier Daily associate editor. She can be reached at wblake@cavalierdaily.com.
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