WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU WERE A FRESHMAN?
We asked sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent alums to give some advice. This is what they said...

Academics
Campus Life
Social
Health
Personal
Miscellaneous

ACADEMICS

I wish I knew just how willing the professors are to help you; just reach out to them.

Once you're set on your classes, put all your exams and quizzes in your calendar or else you will forget.

It's ok if you don't get all the classes you want. Take the time to shop around, maybe even add/drop, and you may find something even better.

Take a course Pass-Fail.

Definitely enjoy your first year in college, but don't forget that freshman year is one of the best boosts to your GPA so make an effort to keep a balance between studying and partying.

Don't skip class, even if you got a 4 on the AP Test (MATH 104 hint hint).

Apply to every program run by the schools.

Grades Matter, yes, even Freshman grades.

If you're in the college, be open minded. walk into the college advising office, sit down with an adviser, ask them which professors to take classes with, and take them if you're even the slightest bit interested in the course material.

As un-fun as it sounds, reading your notes right after a lecture really really helps.

You don't need to graduate from Wharton to get a business-related job. There are thousands of college grads to prove it.

The semester goes by fast. Don't ever think you can just catch up later. Always do your best to stay on track and study all the material that has been taught to date. Once finals come around, there is no turning back. Cramming doesn't work, no matter what anyone tells you.

Some professors mean 3 pages when they say 5, some mean 7 when they say 5, and some mean 5 when they say 5. Find out early.

Studying outside is a good idea in theory. Not in practice.

It should take you about 10 seconds to name a couple things that you really enjoy/care about or want to learn more about. Now go take those classes and join those clubs. If they don't yet exist, request and create them.

In terms of academics, it's not as important in college to memorize everything -- the best thing to do is to learn the big ideas, and how they string together.

Try to fulfill your general requirements early, especially if you're in the College. This way you get to try classes in all different departments and you're not stuck fulfilling requirements as a senior.

Textbooks get expensive. Buying them used on sites like www.half.com or www.betterthanthebookstore.com will save you a ton of money.  You can also borrow them from the library or PAACH.

Form good relationships with your advisors and professors from the get go. They will be the ones who will help you get into certain classes, find out about good opportunities both academically and professionally, and provide recommendations you will need in the future. Office hours are key.

Do your freshman writing seminar your freshman year.

It's hard to wake up for 9am and 10am classes...

Work with five-minute increments of time to make things seem more manageable. You can do a lot in a spare five minutes: look over notes, write a to-do list, send a couple emails, sit down and rest…

Use the Penn Course Review to help you find the most interesting classes and professors.

If you consider dropping a class, don't miss the add/drop or withdrawal deadlines.

Don't procrastinate too much. A paper written in three hours is never as good as a paper written and revised over three days.

Using Wikipedia can work, but read and cite the references, not the article.

When you're writing a paper, save it every single time you write something new and email it to yourself just in case.

Find out and try out the study areas on campus. They're all different and you should be able to find one that fits your study style. Van Pelt is really social, Biomed is almost too quiet, and everything else is in between.

Talk to upperclassmen to find out what classes/professors you should take.

If you get distracted easily, DO NOT try to study in your room. The farther away you study, the less tempted you will be to go back.

Participate in class.

Read before class.

Go to class.

Take classes that sound interesting and are going to make you think.

If you can, sign up for the honors sections.

If you really need to study, go to the Fisher Fine Arts Library, or find a friend who is in Fine Arts and study in the studios.

You can reserve study carrells in Van Pelt.

Be proactive in your education. Advisors are not infallible, so take everything they say with a grain of salt.

Get to know your TAs. They have an absurd amount of power in determining what grade you get.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Everyone else in the room is wondering too.

When you ask for reference letters, be blunt. Ask if your professor can write you a STRONG or GREAT letter of recommendation.

Don't stress out about what major you are going to be. It won't matter in the end and you can always do an individualized major.

Don't just stay in the College/Wharton/Engineering/Nursing. Take classes in other schools.


CAMPUS LIFE

Being an undergrad at Penn is a unique experience at a unique point in your life.  Explore the campus, the people, the surroundings.  Figure out what makes Penn unique to you.

Try new things, and don't forget that something can still be new if you've only done it once.

There are resources on campus that offer every opportunity and can help with any problem.  Keep your eyes open for them.  Make use of the Learning Resources Center, Tutoring Center, Counseling and Psychological Services, etc.  After all, you're already paying for them!

The food at Hillel is really good and you don't have to be Jewish to eat there.

I wish I knew that I'd have to try being a part of many student groups before finding the ones that became my Penn family.

I wish I hadn't brought so much stuff to Penn - space is limited and you're hardly in your dorm anyway.

Join as many activities as possible - there are tons to choose from and you have the most time freshman year. Select your favorite ones to continue the rest of the years.

Be smart about buying meal plans and actually using them or you'll be left with a lot of meals at the end of the semester and they don't roll over.

Take advantage of any free events being sponsored by your college house or the university in general. The food is usually good and the trips are normally really good deals. Once you move off campus, you will definitely miss them.

Find a good place to wind down at the end of the day. Resource centers like PAACH are perfect for that.

ENJOY freshman year. Take advantage of all the events, free food, and fun your first year has to offer.

Don't be afraid of food trucks. There are so many food options on campus and everyone has their favorite. Just ask.

Use 898-RIDE. It's free and door-to-door.

Join everything! You can always cut back later and focus on what you really love, but begin by joining every slightly interesting club, go to their events, and new people. You might just stumble across something really great.

Try out for everything, but only commit to one or two.

The Reach-A-Peer Helpline (RAP-Line) is a good way to vent or get something off your chest.

Know that all the yellow phones on campus also have security cameras located above them.

Don't be afraid to walk past 40th Street.  There are a lot of good restaurants and coffeeshops and Clark Park has farmer's markets on the weekend!

Sit down with your roommate(s) and come up with ground rules for everything. It'll help in the long run.

Know the computer labs and hours for when your computer decides to die on you last minute.

Don't be afraid to go to all different kinds of events, even if it seems like it's aimed at a certain group of people. If you're interested, they'll be happy to see you.

The BioPond (behind the Quad) is actually pretty cool. There are ducks.

The Penn Museum and the Institute of Contemporary Art are free with your PennCard. Wander around.

It's important to be involved (but not overly so) in campus life, even if it's not right at the beginning of college.  It adds to a sense of productivity and accomplishment outside the classroom/academic affairs...or perhaps in spite of failures in those areas!

Show up early for advance movie screenings. The seats go fast.


SOCIAL

It may seem daunting to have to be a social butterfly throughout all of NSO, but if there is one free event you shouldn't pass up on it is FPAN. It is hands down one of the best ways for you to get a taste of what Penn has to offer in all most every genre of performing arts and it's entertaining!

If you don't live in the Quad or Hill, it can be a little harder to meet other freshmen, but don't worry. Go to NSO, go to events, join orgs... You'll find your people eventually and don't stress if you don’t find them the first week.

You may or may not become BFF with your roommate(s), but try to hang out with them every now and then.

Talk to hallmates, professors, and upperclassmen. Ask them questions, and learn as much as you can. You're surrounded by some of the smartest people in the world. Embrace it.

Don't feel pressured to go out all the time. Nights in with friends and quiet alone time are highly underrated.

Try new things. Meet new people. And don't be afraid of the city.

New Jersey is not that far away. Rent Philly Car Share and have adventures... Go to White Castle.

Don't put your life on Facebook. News travels fast.

Trying to make new friends can be a little nerve-wracking,  but everyone is in the same position. If there is any time you can get away with going up to a random person and saying hi, it's freshman year.


HEALTH

Sleep regularly, and don't drink energy drinks.

Drink lots of water, especially if you're going out.

You actually understand things better when you sleep for more than four hours a night. I didn't find that out until senior year...

Just because no one's watching your eating/sleeping habits anymore doesn't mean you don't have to either.

Wash your hands often.

You will not get enough sleep. Try anyway.

Know the Penn Alcohol Amnesty Policy.

Go to the Gym on at least a semi-regular basis.

There's only so much time in the day. Don't forget to sleep or eat. That sounds silly, but you'd be surprised...

Shower shoes are necessary.


PERSONAL

Always find time to de-stress in your own way. Listening to music, hanging out with friends, and going downtown are great ways to re-energize.

No one leaves Penn as a fully formed adult with all their ducks in a row--that's a campus myth.  Embrace the fact that you're young and can afford to learn from mistakes.  Don't grow up too fast!

It's not the multitude of people who know of me, but rather, the few who know me best that makes all the difference.

Have deep discussions with many people.

It's tough, but make sure to balance all the different spheres of your life, and to try and keep them separate so that you'll give 100% to everything.

Trust yourself when it comes to making choices. You know what the smart decisions are...

It's easy to get caught up in your brand new life, but don't forget your high school friends or your family.

It's ok to be homesick, but don't let it stop you from discovering new fun things. Then call your parents and tell them all about it.


MISCELLANEOUS

I wish I knew how excessively I'd be using all of Google's features! I had to learned how to use everything for tons of clubs and organizations after I got to Penn...Google groups, calendar, reminders, documents, the list goes on.

Finding value in something other than GPA points and dollar bills makes life a whole new adventure.

Buy a pair of rain boots. They'll come in handy because puddles around campus can get pretty huge.

Try new things. Don't get stuck in the habit of doing things because you've always done them that way.

Skirts and umbrellas don't work well in the wind tunnel between the high rises.

Wawa is amazing.

Don't be afraid of public transportation. It's cheaper than cabs and sometimes it's even faster.

If you're from a warmer climate, be prepared for the cold weather. Seriously. It gets really cold.

Don't sign up for multiple credit cards. It isn't free money and a nice dinner now is not worth all the debt later.

Bursar is tempting, but remember that the bill goes to your parents.

Check out the Philly foodie scene.  Some amazing eats.

Sit in Rittenhouse Park and people watch on a sunny day.

Learn how to give a good firm handshake; it conveys confidence.

Buy lots of underwear. You won't be doing laundry that often.

Start working on your one page resume early. As a freshman, it should be only one page!

If you're work-study, you can be work-study over the summer too, but remember to apply for it beforehand.

Don't resume pad.  Find your passion and do that, instead of doing many things you are not passionate about.

Save. Save early for the innumerable number of concerts and productions and events put on by your peers.

Don't sit on the Ben Franklin bench statue.

Take advantage of nice weather. It gets hot/cold really quickly.

Wharton Behavioral Labs are a good way to get some extra cash.

You can get discounts on SEPTA tokens and Transpasses.

Fresh Grocer has really awesome music at night.  You can go shopping and do karaoke at the same time.

First impressions are important and LASTING.  Be careful how you portray yourself.

Have fun! It is really the only time when you can be a little irresponsible and no one is going to blame you.  It is seriously going to be some of the best years of your life.

Do you have something to add? Email your advice to shiella@upenn.edu.