As an incoming freshman, you’re probably feeling both the anxiety and excitement of going to college. One year ago, I was in your shoes – eager, wide-eyed and unsure about this strange new world.

To make the journey easier, here are some tips on how you, the freshman, can survive your first year at Sacramento State.

Before School Starts

It’s never too late to apply for scholarships. Loans can take a long time to pay off, and with a little research you may find you’re eligible for scholarships you’ve never even heard of. For example, according to the “Unusual Scholarships” section of www.finaid.org, not all scholarships are academic or sports-related. The Tall Clubs International offers a $1,000 scholarship for women who are at least 5’10” and men who are at least 6’2″. Knitters can apply for the National Make It Yourself with Wool competition, which awards $1,000 and $2,000 scholarships for the most creative knitted wool garments. The website www.scholarships.com can tell you more.

Sign up for your classes carefully. Amara Follett, freshman theatre major, suggested you sign up for a combination of general education and major classes.

“G.E. classes are mostly boring – if you add them with your major requirements, you’ll have classes you’re interested in too,” Follett said. Speaking from personal experience, do NOT sign up for more classes than you can handle. You will burn yourself out before you know it.

The bookstore is not the only place to get your textbooks. The first $200-$500 you spend may go toward school books alone, and buying them at the school is expensive. If the student is a bit of a penny-pincher, like I am, here’s a tip: if you don’t mind secondhand books, a majority of them can be found at online market places like Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble. Sometimes you can get them at half the price you would pay at the school’s bookstore. Be aware though that you need to order them as soon as you can because going to a class without bringing your books is like riding in a canoe without a paddle.

Your Education

Do your work for classes. It may seem like a no-brainer, but the freedom of college is an alcoholic drink. Down it to excess, you’ll end up doing something dumb. However, if you don’t overindulge, you can still have a good time.

“Find a balance,” said Resident Assistant Dion Warrick, junior business accounting major. “Focus on how much studying to do and factor it into your socializing.”

Procrastination will kill you. One of the first things I learned – and what I’m still learning – is what you put off until tomorrow will end up as something you have to rush to finish. Think about the time that’s available before the project or paper is supposed to be turned in and you won’t want to pull your hair out the night before. You might have heard the same thing in high school, and it applies in college as well – perhaps even more so.

Most professors are more than willing to help you if you need it. They have office hours so students can come in to ask questions. It may help in the long run to get to know your professor and for your professor to know you. There is a way to find out which professors are the best for things like easiness, clarity, interest and helpfulness.

“I go to ratemyprofessor.com and look at the teachers there when I’m picking classes, because it kind of gives you an idea about what to expect,” said Desiree Sayles, freshman kinesiology major.

Your Social Life

Some of the freshmen might be living in the residence halls. At about $1,000 a month, it might be too expensive for some students. However, if you can afford it, staying in a residence hall is a good experience for your freshman year. Students are surrounded by their peers outside of classes, and sometimes you find your closest friends while living there.

Lauren Pascual, freshman forensic biology major, gave this inside tip about the residence halls: “If you can, get a dorm near the bathroom. Because it’s really annoying having to walk from your room to the shower if it’s a long way off.”

Although studying is encouraged, all work and no play is no fun.

“Socialize and be outgoing, otherwise you’ll be lonely,” said Rachel Lawson, sophomore kinesiology major.

Sac State has a variety of clubs, groups, organizations, athletic teams, fraternities and sororities that students can go to. A list of the many clubs and organizations can be found at www.al.csus.edu/students/clubs.

And another thing

Sacramento is a big city, but that doesn’t mean it forgets its college students. A Sac State OneCard can get you on city buses and the light rail for free. A variety of places with student discounts can be found around the university. On the corner of J Street and 57th Street, Opa! Opa! offers a 10 percent discount to students who show their OneCard. Cupcake Craving, on the corner of Arden Way and Howe Avenue, gives a 15 percent discount. Supercuts, near the corner of Hurley Way and Howe Avenue, discounts $3 from a haircut and 15 percent from products. A list of places around the school that offer discounts to students can be found at www.csus.edu/studentacivities.

A student’s college experience is a time to learn and grow as a person. For freshmen, this can be a scary thing. The good news is that it isn’t as daunting as people may lead you to believe. It’s tough and takes work, but most do survive if they try.

Here’s to hoping these tips from fellow students and myself will help you make your freshman year a good one.

Kyrie Eberhart can be reached at [email protected].