Story by Eri Mizobe
New to the University of Oregon? It’s crazy to look back at how quickly my first year went by, but last September I was just as clueless and lost as you might be. Don’t panic, though, because you’ll get the hang of things after a week or so. Here are a few tips to help you out along the way.

1. One of the biggest realizations I had was that there are a lot more opportunities out there than you think. UO has myriad clubs, jobs, internships, and activities (such as multicultural groups, sports clubs, and departmental internships) that you can get involved with. Start by attending as many Week of Welcome activities as you can. Many organizations table at booths throughout the year, so walk up to them. Go to meetings. Try to get involved early, since most members get acquainted with each other during the first few meetings. But don’t stop yourself from trying out new things just because it’s not the start of the year anymore! Search on the school website for clubs you can’t find (the ASUO list of student groups is a great place to start) and keep your ears and eyes open. Remember that every other freshman is just as new to this as you, so meet and talk to as many people as you can.
2. Taking your hardest classes during fall term is not a bad idea. Freshman year, I took my fullest load during winter term. That was a big mistake. Winter term is cold, dark, and rainy. Your motivation and energy levels plummet, your immune system is at its most vulnerable, and all you really want to do is wrap yourself up in blankets with a movie and hot chocolate. Spring term is the most fun term in my opinion, with its sunnier days and opportunities for outdoor activities. This again, makes it not the best term to load yourself down with hard classes. As one of my upper class friends said, “It’s like senioritis all over again.” You want to be out and about, not in a confined classroom while your professor drones on about complex topics. You definitely don’t want to exhaust yourself during fall term while you’re trying to adjust to your new college life, but it’s alright to challenge yourself.
3. You really don’t need much money to have fun. Honestly, the belief that college kids are broke is sadly quite true. But my friends and I still managed to have an amazing time! It’s all about knowing where to go and what to do. Go to campus events. Many are free, like Halloween dances, residence hall events, and performances at the EMU Amphitheatre. Sports games are also a necessary school experience. Tickets are difficult to get (especially for football) but the rush of school spirit you’ll experience is definitely worth it. Other campus entertainment is very affordable, such as cultural group events (during Spring Term there are many culture nights where you can eat dinner and watch performances for typically around $5), departmental dance and music performances (visit the EMU ticketing office), and the Street Faire (usually held once every term or two). Take advantage of resources given to you. For example, if you live in the dorms, you can borrow movies for free from the LLC and Hamilton area desks. There is much entertainment around Eugene as well. Take a trip downtown. Run or take a walk in the parks, such as the one by Autzen Stadium. Also, there is a $1.50 movie theatre at Gateway Mall in Springfield, which you can take the EMX to.
4. Whether or not you bought your books new, you’ll usually receive the same amount of money when you sell them back to the bookstore. I bought some new novels for class and kept them in good condition, but only received a dollar for each when I sold them back.
5. Yup, large classes are hard to focus in. Especially the ones in Columbia 150 (although it’s pretty impossible to avoid having classes there as a freshman). Keep yourself on track, or else you will slack off. See professors during office hours; they don’t bite, and yes, they can actually become your friends. Check Blackboard and Duck Web as regularly as you check Facebook. Make mini deadlines for yourself because your assignments will creep up on you. Also, if you’re like me, you’ll find that classes often make you really sleepy. I’ve definitely been close to dozing off a few too many times. Find a strategy to stay awake and concentrated that works for you. Play your favorite song in your head? Doodle? Drink coffee? (But be careful with this – I went from drinking maybe one cup of coffee a month before college, to drinking 4-5 cups a week by the end of freshman year.)
6. Yes, it’s true—you need a rain jacket and rain boots. It rains most days in Eugene, and walking to class with waterlogged shoes and an unwieldy umbrella is not fun. Besides, jumping in puddles is always a blast.
7. Avoid the cemetery area behind the Knight Library at night, especially if you’re walking alone. You can probably tell by the dark atmosphere, but that area of campus tends to become extremely quiet and isolated at night. This may explain why there were a few assault incidents in that area last year. If you need to walk through the area, make sure you can defend yourself (e.g., carry pepper spray) and walk, bike or drive home with a trustworthy friend.
8. Become familiar with campus and the surrounding areas as quickly as possible! The faster you can do this, the easier your life will be. Use the first few days to explore. After a while, you’ll learn the shortcuts to nearly all the places you need to be.
9. Don’t forget to explore Eugene (this will help you with #3 and #8). During the first year, especially if you live on campus, it’ll be very easy to become trapped in the campus bubble. But Eugene is a small city that has much to offer. Make sure you try Prince Puckler’s ice cream, the local eateries near the Duck Store and behind Hayward Field, as well as the famous Voodoo Doughnuts downtown. If you’re a shopper, the two malls are Valley River Center and Gateway Mall, which are both easily accessible by bus. If you like the arts, the Hult Center, MacDonald Theatre, and Bijou Arts Cinema are popular venues, too. If you like the outdoors, there are many opportunities for hikes, biking trips, water sports, and winter activities in the parks, rivers, and by the coast and mountains. These scenic areas are all within about an hour’s drive away. A popular hiking destination is Spencer’s Butte. Finally, don’t forget to visit Saturday Market!
10. Learn how to balance your social and academic life! This is probably the biggest challenge I faced. With new friends and activities, your days can become much busier than you’d think. Then there’s homework and classes on top of that. Perhaps even a job, too. There were definitely times when I got sidetracked more often than I should by chit-chatting away or hanging out. Find a balance, or else you’ll find yourself pulling more all-nighters than you want to remember. But sleep deprivation is never good! Find at least one relaxing thing to do each day (even if it’s small things like appreciating a sunny day on the lawn), but know when it’s time to get down to business. Find a study spot that works for you. If it means locking yourself up in the library, do it.

And if you live in the dorms…

• Lunch and dinner times are some of the best times to socialize. It’s a daily part of your schedule, so no matter how busy you become, it’s easy to make meal plans with friends.

• If you have extra points at the end of the term, spend them at the Grab n’ Go before the end of dead week! By mid-finals week, most shelves will become empty.

• Get to know your hall mates! Knock on your neighbors’ doors during the first week and introduce yourself! Take initiative. They are the people you’ll be seeing everyday, so it’s fun if you’re friends with them!

• If, however, you are miserable in the hall or room you’ve been assigned, know that you have the option to request a transfer. Talk to your RA and/or your area desk for help. It may be a hassle, but the your living space makes a difference in your everyday life.

• Yes, it’s very easy to lock yourself out of your room! It’s common to run into hall mates who need to go to the area desk in their towels. Keep your keys on a lanyard and make sure you have them whenever you leave your room. Also, if you have your windows open, the wind is usually strong enough to close the door.

• Keep your door open once in a while during the day. You don’t want to be antisocial!

• Yes, you’ll want flip-flops to wear in the shower (unless you’re comfortable with stepping on hairballs and shampoo gunk), and some kind of cover-up such as a bathrobe (it eliminates the need to carry all your change to the shower room).

• You can check out a landline phone from your area desk to use in your room. If you need to make long phone calls often, it can save tons of minutes!