Freshmen – as you have probably figured out, this is the summer issue of The State Hornet, the campus newspaper at Sacramento State. On the first Wednesday of the fall, 2006, semester, any leftovers in the racks all around campus will be removed and the weekly edition will take its place. This issue is for you, and this column is the most important thing in it.

By the time the issue disappears, however, you will have been through the orientation, know about some of the campus, where your classes are, etc. You think you know what you’re getting into. Well, what they couldn’t tell you in orientation, I’ll tell you now.

First, join the “Greek” community. Fraternities and sororities are amazing organizations. They do a lot of good for the community – and a whole lot of drinking. Some cynics say that people who join “Greek” organizations are just “buying friends.” That couldn’t be further from the truth. Since you have to continuously pay dues to stay in the organization, it’s more like renting them. Opa!

Watch out for those who claim that studying or going to class aren’t necessary to get an “A” in any given class. They are lying, and you aren’t smart enough to pull this off. If you were smart enough for that, you would be at a UC.

Declare an impressive sounding major. I did. I said I was majoring in economics and people were impressed. I soon found out that I wasn’t cut out for the subject and moved on. In the meantime, though, I impressed family and friends with choosing such a difficult major.

There is no such thing as an “easy” major. They are all equally challenging – except for journalism. Journalism, by the way, is only 28 units.

Join a club. Whether you are Christian, gay, into ultimate Frisbee or have some other interest, there is a club for you. If not, start one. We could use a “please be my friend” club.

Explore the world around you. If this means getting a tattoo, go for it.

Learn about responsible budgeting. If you are getting any scholarship money from the state and they want to know where to send the money, just coolly tell them to send it straight to Java City. Think about it. Buy yourself a $4-coffee and really think about it. Oooh, and get a bagel too.

The school’s population changes depending on who you ask. I’ve heard estimates between 27,000 and 30,000. The exact number doesn’t matter. The point is that you don’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of finding a parking spot.

But Andrew, how can you be so jaded? I’m not trying to scare anyone off, I’m just trying to save you a little trouble. College can be the best years of your life and what I am saying is to take a step back, take your time and find which choices are right for you.

So when you start your classes this fall, reflect on the choices that you can confront, nibble on your bagel and figure it all out. That is what college is all about.

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Andrew Nixon can be reached at [email protected]