Tips and tricks for school

     So you got moved in, found your classes, bought your books, got your first assignments, have your first college weekend plans and then you get to do it all over again next week.


     You are going to go through a lot in college, some good and some bad.


     Don’t worry though.


     Good ole Uncle Dillon (no relation) has been there and done all that so let me give you some helpful advice that you may already know, but doesn’t hurt to hear again.


     Diversify your meal plan options.


     If you go to the food service center every day for every meal it is going to get old within the first two weeks.


     You have the UC snack bar, the cafeteria style buffet in the UC, Roscoe’s Den and 50 Ram bucks that are as good as money on campus.


     Get foreign language over and done with early.


     This is one of the ones you hear over and over and it is probably the best piece of advice I can give any student needing foreign language credit to graduate.


     Now that does not mean taking it here.


     There are community colleges you can take it from, online classes you can take.


     Just make sure the credit transfer over.


     Again it’s about keeping your options open.


     Take a class that you are interested in for your electives.


     You have electives for a reason so take the time to ask around about classes.


     You can also use these elective hours as a fall back if you decide to change your major halfway though.


     Say you have taken 30 hours in one major and you decide to change.


     The classes you took will count toward your elective hours and should not set you back too much.


     If you have not declared a major that is not such a bad thing.


     Take the first two years and knock out all of your core credit classes, (i.e. Math, science, history, English).


     You will not be taking many classes pertaining to your major if any in the first year or two so take your time and pick a major you are going to enjoy.


     My grades were not that great until I picked a major I enjoyed and my grades skyrocketed.


     If you get the opportunity to take an internship so it. It may not be paid but the experience will make you so much better at your field of study, especially of you can work with professionals that will help you grow and get better.


     If you are a minor and you are at a party that has alcohol at it then listen to that gut feeling.


     If you don’t feel right then get out.


     A minor in consumption is a pain and something that minors should not get anyway.


     I know minors drink and it is against the law, but if you do it at least be smart about it.


     Or just wait until you are 21.


     It is more fun that way anyway.


     On the same note you have to pick your people carefully.


     Now  I know your mom has told you to make good friends but really make sure that your friend has your back, or the person your “talking to” is not just trying to take advantage of you.


     There are a lot of good people here on campus and everyone tends to look out for everyone.

     Finally college is a place to learn but you will only learn half of your life skills in the classroom.


     Get out and do something you would not normally do, try new foods, and play an intramural sport that you normally don’t play.


     Anything you can do to broaden your vision, resume and mind will pay dividends later.


     I hope this letter reaches you well.


     Have some fun with your time in college but just know that when it is time to go to work.


     You show up and put the work in.