Prospective Freshman

So there are many things that new comers to ISU should know. Here are a few;

1. Schedules: When making your schedule I would suggest making your classes back to back. My first semester I had at least an hour between every class but I never knew whether it would be worth going all the way back to my dorm or not. And if I did go back, often I would not want to go back out and I would end up ditching class. This semester I put my classes back to back and I always get there on time and I almost never ditch class because I'm already out anyways. And also you finish all you classes in just a few hours. Also incoming freshman should NOT expect to have fridays off. It is almost impossible for freshman, or even sophonmores, to have no classes on Friday.

2. Dorm Living: Ok so first of all I would suggest Watterson as a good place to live. Right now I live in Whitten (southside) and the rooms are much smaller and all of my friends live in Watterson because its much bigger. Watterson has a better food court, better dorm rooms and more people. The reason I didn't pick Watterson is because when I went to visit that dorm seemed really confusing and the elevator only stops on every third floor so theres a good chance that you'll have to take the stairs to get to your room, but neither of those things matter, really. Also, if you're planning on lofting your bed I would suggest against it, especially if you live in a small room. It makes the room look a lot more cluttered. Plus I have a loft bed and in my room I am right below the vent, which sucks. Another thing, you will get sick of dorm food real quick. The dining center has pretty good food, and thankfully there are different 'restaurants' with a variety of food, but it still gets old. But Subway is always a good option and your Redbird Card automatically comes with about $150 Flex dollars which you can use to buy Subway or eat at a place in the Bone. Lastly, don't expect to end up BFF's with your roommate. Me and my roommate get along but we are definiely not friends, although it is hard because she always like 10 feet away from me.

3. Bringing a car to college: Everyone told me before I started school that I shouldn't bring my car because I would never use it. Well I ignored tham and brought my car anyways. There are really only 2 different places you can park your car. There is a parking lot on Main St. which you usually would take the bus to. It's only $79 to park there for a year. That is where I park. Then there are parking garages next to each dorm, which are $250 for a year. I am very glad I brought my car. I am the only one of my friends with a car so on the weekends we always take my car to Target or Chipotle or wherever. Plus I go home every few weekends so it's great to be able to drive rather than have to buy a train or bus ticket. And it's really not too difficult to get to my car since the bus picks up at all the dorms at least a couple times every hour.

Hope those would help any incoming Freshman.