The stuff they didn't tell you at Orientation

Welcome back, freshmen. There's a whole 80 page magazine called Orienter on campus to help you through your first year, but at WEEKEND we'll give it to you in a nutshell.\nYOU STAY CLASSY BLOOMINGTON\nWith classes like the history of video games, The Beatles, movies of Spike Lee, and Rock and Roll of the '70s and '80s, why not go to class? \nThe first week of classes is underway and with no parents around to make you go to class, it's tempting to skip out. I know my nose may appear brown right now, but classes are really worth your time. \nOffice hours are vital to success. It's a way to let your teacher know you, which isn't often possible in large lectures. Also, it may just raise your grade. One teacher I've had bumped my grade almost 10 percent every test just by going over it with her once I'd gotten it back. Go to the teacher before the test, too. They enjoy the company at office hours and they'll give you the benefit of doubt when the semester is over.\nChoose a major early, but feel free to shop around. There's a ton of great majors offered at IU and if you don't like what's offered you can make your own. Senior Benny Goldman created an individualized major of music business and had an internship at New Line Cinema in New York this summer.\nClasses that can ruin a schedule are K201, the dreaded Computer in Business class. Also, "anything with A in front of it sucks," said business major Sam Nelson, referring to accounting classes. There are required classes for every major, but ask around and find out who the good professors are.\nTo quote the Talking Heads: "If your work isn't what you love, then something isn't right."\nNOSHIN' and MUNCHIN'\nThe food courts have their share of decent, nutritious food, and there's a wide array of fast food for the unadventurous, but some of the best food can be found in the various ethnic options.\n"Don't spend all your money at Chili's, Panera, and Steak and Shake," said IU alum Eric Weiler. "The ethnic places on 4th are great and Smokin' Jack's Rib Shack is awesome."\nSenior Benny Goldman plans to hit up every ethnic place on 4th, from Indian cuisine at Bombay House to Café et Crepe for European and Siam House for Thai food. \nFor late night munchies you can get late night pizza deals like the Big Ten special and sandwich deliveries, but for those on the town there are a handful of choices. On Walnut there's Rockit's for pizza by the slice and there's Taco Bell. On Kirkwood there's La Bamba for Mexican, Jimmy John's sandwiches, the hot dog vendor. The newest entry in the game is D.P. Dough, which just opened under 420. Serving Pizza's cousin, the calzone, D.P. has over 50 'zones and with free delivery until 4 a.m. on weekends D.P is like Hansel: so hot right now.\n"D.P. Dough is amazing. I loved the one with pineapple," said senior Sage Gosch-Braun.\nB-town makes a fine pizza pie as well. Mother Bear's is typically voted the best pizza, but Buccetto's definitely gives it a run for its money with its diverse toppings, kick-ass salads and pasta.\nKroger and Marsh have great dollar deals, but it's worth a trip to the Farmers Market and fruit and vegetable markets to get fresh produce. \nSINK THE HUH? HAIRY WHAT? AMF?\nIt's said on T-shirts that Bloomington is a drinking town with a basketball problem. We often get voted pretty high up on the biggest drinking school and with good reason. Our drinks have funny names and we play drinking games for any activity. There's the several shot drinks the Hairy Bear at Bears, the AMF at Upstairs, and the classic "Sink The Biz" game at Nick's.\nI'M BORED\nA lot of students end up sitting around their dorm watching "Grey's Anatomy" and "Entourage" DVDs all day, not realizing the Bloomington is a bumping college town. Bars, comedy clubs, a thriving outdoor adventure scene and great shopping are just the tip of the iceberg.\nComedy Caravan is a great way to see good, cheap comedy and was voted one of the top ten places to see stand-up in the country. Every Monday and Saturday some of the greatest up-and-coming comics grace the stage at Bear's. They get around three comics a night and with the strong drink the Hairy Bear in hand, the comics somehow appear even funnier.\nWalking up and down Kirkwood is a great way to spend an afternoon. With shops from Urban Outfitters to vintage clothes, music, and great eats along the way, there's a lot to check out.\nBloomington is rich in outdoor activities from a day pontoon boating on Lake Monroe, a day trip to Griffy Lake, or a group experience with IU Outdoor Adventure. IUOA leads trips from vertical caving to kayaking, mountain climbing and even skydiving and week-long white water rafting trips.\nWRAPPING IT UP\nNo matter what you do, get out there and do it. There's great free, cheap, and fun stuff to do all the time in Bloomington. You'll hear that college is the place to find yourself and it is a bit of a cliché, but it's true. \n"My biggest advice is to get involved with organizations as early as possible," said senior Mary Barrett. "It's the best way to meet people"