Advice
We asked upperclass students what they wish they had known one year ago and what advice they would give to YOU, the Fall 2004 incoming class.
"I wish I had known the first couple of weeks that all it would take is about 2 months to feel at home. Don't give up 'cause eventually you will find your group and your niche at SMU. It just takes a while."
"In your first semester, start studying early. Don't wait and try to catch up later. That's the best advice I can give."
"First semester take classes you think you will enjoy. You will enjoy SMU much more if you like your classes."
"I wish I knew how much freedom I had in choosing my own schedule, as a lot of my friends took different classes that I thought could not be taken."
"There is such a thing as a stupid question."
"Don't fall behind, don't fish for excuses, and don't dig yourself a hole you can't crawl out of. If only I had taken this advice..."
"Not everything is perfect in a day, adjustment takes time. Go to class, exercise, be friendly, smile, get involved. Join a campus ministry. Get to know your professors. Sit in the front. Study, have fun, sleep when possible."
"I wish I had known more about the 4-year plans my adviser could help me do for understanding how to successfully complete a major."
"SMU is not an easy school, but then again, that's what makes it a good school. It's academically hard, but socially fun. A blast!"
"Have certain areas to do certain things, especially studying or sleeping. People change their mindset to their surroundings, so when you enter an area associated with a particular activity, your mentality will change as well. This will make you more productive. This is why everybody doesn't work at home."
"Dean Neel was right: GO TO CLASS!"
"Pay attention to this advice and your adviser, so that the new class will not have to learn from their own mistakes. College professors are smart, there is a reason that they are here, and they always know what is going on. People at SMU want to help you. There is a resource or center available for everything, use them and be nice and appreciative for what these people do for you."
"Don't let yourself get behind."
"Be willing to get a reality check with teachers not especially liking your work and not getting the grades you might have been used to."
"DO YOUR WORK, freshman grades will make or break your gpa!!! I learned this the hard way in high school; I concentrated more on my grades freshman year of college, and ended up doing very well."
"Everything that you think was so rad about you in high school means nothing now."
"I wish I had known that I really DID need to go to class!!"
"Your friends in high school will remain close, some will drift, others you will stay in contact with. But the friends that you make here at college will be your friends for a lifetime. True friendship will find you at college, so long as you cherish it, and recognize it when you see it. Don't get caught up with meeting all the older people."
"Learn how to balance. It's tough as a first year, but you have to work and party, and for some the balance is hard. Stay on top of the work, it's not like high school where someone will be reminding you of what is going on and when there is a test or homework. So have fun and go out, but also study."
"Don't pull an all-nighter. After you do it once, you won't want to do it again."
"Great programs, great advisers, great professors!"
"I have matured both intellectually and socially through the academic programs in which I am involved. I have become more open-minded about certain issues, and more definite about others."
"SMU has something for everyone. The key is to come with an attitude to get involved, and you will have the time of your life. The academic level at SMU is excellent, but at the same time you never have to ask twice for help or feel as if you are just another number."
"I have enjoyed all of my classes, and all of my professors seem to want to take time to help me -- that is a wonderful feeling. They have encouraged me to succeed and made me feel like I am capable of anything."
"I have learned so much about the world and myself, and the professors I have encountered here at SMU keep amazing me!"
