Words from a worn-out upperclassman

Most would say that being a freshman sucks. But I disagree. Freshman year for me was adventure, alcohol and boys, boys, boys. Not much has changed since then, except the excuse of innocence, which has run way too thin these days as checks are bounced and professors agree that by now I should know where Ballantine Hall is.\nFreshman, this column goes out to you. It wasn't too long ago that I was on your Schwinn, map and all, trying to find my way anywhere, no, everywhere. At the time it seemed unfair. No fake ID in the leopard print wallet, falling constant prey to older frat boys singling out the unaware frosh in their black pants and wannabe platforms. \nI have learned a little and slowed down a little since those days of the walks of shame and sad Ground Zero attempts. I have some advice, take it or leave it or learn on your own, I don't really care. I just thought I might make your trip to the kegs or the frats or the big old library a little bit easier.\nFirst and foremost, get a credit card with caution. The interest rates are high, it is impossible to pay them off and you'll ruin your credit, which is just not worth it. Whatever you buy with the newfound plastic won't be worth it for the eight years that the bad credit stays on your record.\nMeet people outside of your high school friends. This year IU will have students from all 50 states; there are people to meet that far extend your social clique from high school. I know that you might have been the homecoming queen or maybe even the quarterback, but my friend the prom is over. So get over it, and move on. You will be a much better person for it in the end.\nUse your meal points. They are a gift. Upperclassman will beg you for them, and it is much easier when you don't have to worry about bills or groceries. The dorms seem like a nightmare, but most of your best friends will probably come from them and the meal situation is a bonus.\nGo to the Student Recreational Sports Center (SRSC). The freshman 15 is possible, and the SRSC is a great resource. It is good to stay as healthy as possible, especially because of the great meal points mentioned in the paragraph above.\nGet involved. Union Board, Greek system, it doesn't really matter. Just do something more than watch the campus movie channel and check e-mail. There is much to do if you get out and do it, I am sure that if you try you will find your way.\nIf you choose to drink, do so with caution and care. It isn't cool to be "that girl" or "that guy" at every party or to be the person that never stops shacking as a result of their blood alcohol level. Partying is one of my specialties, but it isn't the best to do it in extremes on every occasion. The truth is that you should watch both the random hookups and the long-term relationships. Friends are better than hookups and boyfriends, so it is best to keep them at a high and the others at a low. \nIf you don't drink, good for you. Contrary to popular belief, there is much more to do on college campuses than to tap a keg. There is opera, theatre, music, coffee, lakes, rivers, parks, golf and just about any other form of entertainment your heart desires. \nI don't have all the advice or probably even any advice. There are thousands of things I wish I did differently when I was a member of the frosh, just as there are many I wish I could change from today. I just know what it is like to have to take out a map during the first week of classes. \nI am sure that you will find your way. After the worst move-in day in your life, you will adjust, and this will become your campus. Treat it with the respect that it deserves, go to class as much as possible, make some good friends and start to find the direction you want your life to head. \nIf you don't want to listen to me, don't. Just remember that the years fly and before you know it you'll be like me, a washed-out junior who would love to have an excuse to skip class, move back into the dorms and memorize the zip code on her fake.