What is your best advice for kids heading off to college this fall?

[Anonymous]

Check the guessing policies on exams and check to see if classes go like “you fail the final, you fail the class.” My classes were an assortment of that.

[Anonymous]

Don’t go around telling other kids your grades, whether they’re good or bad. Especially if you’re FGLI and everyone’s looking for a reason to make you feel like you shouldn’t have gotten in.

[Anonymous]

Know when add/drop is. And don’t take 18 credits a semester, at least not until after first year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Joining a frat will make you five times better looking and your peenie-weenie five times longer in the eyes of most chicks on campus.

Hahahahaha.

My girls were in sororities. This is funny.

Lol can they attest to the truth of that statement?

[Anonymous]

Explain drop/add/withdrawal and the dates for that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The difference between the kids who fail out and the kids who do fine in their grades is mainly based on whether you show up for class, turn in your work, and study for the tests. Pretty much anyone who got into your school can do fine there, but what makes the difference between good and bad grades is mostly whether you have the self discipline required to do these simple things. My DS was amazed how many people simply did not manage to turn in a paper on time or just didn't even make a real effort in the classes and, as a result, made bad grades.

I failed out of my college. I’d never tried harder in my life at school. I just couldn’t do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Learn what office hours are. Believe it or not, going to a prof's office is not punishment and doesn't mean you are in trouble.

Yes -- absolutely. Also, when you choose classes, ask upper-classmen/women about the classes they found most interesting and teachers they found most effective and helpful.

And, friends are important. I'm 30 years out from college and those friendships have been mainstays in my life through some difficult times. My oldest kids are recent college grads, and I already see how much their college friends mean to them. Take time to be a friend.

Set time aside for exercise and sleep.

Finally, birth control is essential.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Joining a frat will make you five times better looking and your peenie-weenie five times longer in the eyes of most chicks on campus.

Hahahahaha.

My girls were in sororities. This is funny.

Lol can they attest to the truth of that statement?

Doubt it. Neither ever dated a frat guy.

[Anonymous]

^^^Advice for mom and dad: close your kid's bedroom door and don't mope around missing them. Do fun stuff with your spouse or partner and with friends. Send your kids photos, videos and funny jokes every couple of days, but don't expect them always to respond. Your mantra: we gave them roots and wings -- watch them fly -- amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Learn what office hours are. Believe it or not, going to a prof's office is not punishment and doesn't mean you are in trouble.

I don't know anyone who has ever gone to a professor's office for any reason, ever -- except maybe to ask for a recommendation. I never did and I graduated summa cum laude. None of my kids ever did either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Learn what office hours are. Believe it or not, going to a prof's office is not punishment and doesn't mean you are in trouble.

+1000! From a prof: go to office hours! It's a chance to get to know your professors, as well as to get some direction and context for your assignments.

While you're there, introduce yourself to your major or prospective major department's administrative staff and be nice to them. They can smooth your way through administrivia hassles and getting to know them will help you make an academic home on campus.

And: Try a new activity/extracurric/sport that you've never had a chance to try before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Learn what office hours are. Believe it or not, going to a prof's office is not punishment and doesn't mean you are in trouble.

Yes -- absolutely. Also, when you choose classes, ask upper-classmen/women about the classes they found most interesting and teachers they found most effective and helpful.

And, friends are important. I'm 30 years out from college and those friendships have been mainstays in my life through some difficult times. My oldest kids are recent college grads, and I already see how much their college friends mean to them. Take time to be a friend.

Set time aside for exercise and sleep.

Finally, birth control is essential.

Either your age is showing, or your nerdiness, or both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Learn what office hours are. Believe it or not, going to a prof's office is not punishment and doesn't mean you are in trouble.

I don't know anyone who has ever gone to a professor's office for any reason, ever -- except maybe to ask for a recommendation. I never did and I graduated summa cum laude. None of my kids ever did either.

Not true for my DS who is in a top 20. He has meet with his professors for various reasons, one of which was to challenge how one of the questions on his exam was graded. He actually got points back based on his explanation of how he approached a particular math problem.

My biggest advice is to learn to advocate for yourself and don't be afraid to ask questions. Find a professor you can connect with who can act as a mentor. These are things I wish I had done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Learn what office hours are. Believe it or not, going to a prof's office is not punishment and doesn't mean you are in trouble.

I don't know anyone who has ever gone to a professor's office for any reason, ever -- except maybe to ask for a recommendation. I never did and I graduated summa cum laude. None of my kids ever did either.

Not true for my DS who is in a top 20. He has meet with his professors for various reasons, one of which was to challenge how one of the questions on his exam was graded. He actually got points back based on his explanation of how he approached a particular math problem.

My biggest advice is to learn to advocate for yourself and don't be afraid to ask questions. Find a professor you can connect with who can act as a mentor. These are things I wish I had done.

LOL my kids went to top 20s also. That's not the determining factor.

I still remember walking around campus with my oldest when she saw one of her professors and said "this is my idea of contact with professors" and quickly darted behind a pillar of a building to hide. We had a good laugh.

Lighten up, people.

[Anonymous]

Smart ladies do not allow themselves to become inebriated in public places. Drinking in your dorm with a group of female friends is far safer than doing so in a bar.