First of all, let me congratulate you on becoming a Miami Cane.

The University of Miami is a top tier research institution dedicated to helping students innovate, research, and create bold new ideas and inventions. (We throw great parties, too).

I was a freshman last year, and I figured I’d write an article focusing on what orientation didn't teach me. By channeling my pre-college self, I’ve put together a list of tips that I wish I’d been told when I came to Miami, but had to learn on my own.

This list is by no means comprehensive, but does give a pretty good idea of the do’s and don'ts of freshman year. I hope this article serves its purpose, and helps you make freshmen year all that it can, and should be. Let’s make 2017-2018 the best year yet, and Go Canes!

1. Get Involved

It sounds basic, I know, but the truth is that getting involved is the backbone to every college education. It’s a given that the University of Miami provides a top tier education to all students of all majors, but the school also has countless academic and social clubs that can help you supplement your college experience and make it that much more valuable. Canefest is the perfect opportunity to learn all about the various organizations on campus, from greek life to U pup to student government, so be sure to go during orientation. Clubs at UMiami also have incredible perks not found elsewhere. For instance, you can get scuba certified for half price through the university's scuba club, and organizations like Engineers Without Borders will pay all your expenses on service trips. Whether you want to train for triathlons, cuddle with puppies, or build bridges in the developing world, the clubs at U Miami offer something for everyone; plus you’ll get a ton of free T-shirts.

2. Use Office Hours

First thing's first: this isn't high school.

In other words, your teachers won’t be reluctant to talk to you if you come in with a question, nor will they try to rush you out if they don't have the answer.

Professors come to the University of Miami to teach because it’s a US News Top 50 research centered university, with countless academics looking to further global understandings of the universal fields studied here. If you go to office hours, ask questions, and engage your mentors, they will repay you by giving you higher grades, recommendation letters and even more leeway on due dates if something comes up.

Your professors aren’t here to get paid and go home; they’re here to teach you and converse with you, and to make you ready for the professional world. Don’t skip out on talking to your teacher like you may have in high school, because chances are that in four years you’ll be asking them for a job.

3. Get Some Dining Dollars

If you’re like me, you chose to come to the U because of the renowned academic programs, excellent athletics and beautiful scenery; you probably didn't think much about the food. Long story short, it’s… edible.

Don’t get me wrong, the dining hall employees work very hard supplying the school with enough fuel to get by, but believe me, the menu gets repetitive. If you like burgers, pizza, fried chicken patties and french fries for every meal, you’ll love it here, but if you’re vegetarian or vegan, or prefer healthier eating, you may find yourself wanting to vomit looking down at the dry lump of lettuce on your plate for the 80th time in three weeks.

My recommendation: invest in some dining dollars - and even a hot plate for your room. Our campus has tons of restaurants scattered all over, offering everything from sushi to Mexican to salads and smoothies, and all on-campus eateries take dining dollars. In my opinion, the school doesn't give you nearly enough, so stack up on them before you loathe going to the dining hall more than to your 8 am. It's worth it.

4. Don’t go to the gym from 4-7 p.m.

Not surprisingly, many students at the U take health very seriously. Nearly every student exercises in some way or another, and the most common way to do so is by use of the health center.

The health center may seem huge, but during peak hours it’s anything but big enough. Going to the gym and trying to lift weights at 5:30 pm is like going to the Starbucks across from the library the day before finals week starts, you’re gonna have a bad time.

Usually every machine is taken, and some even have lines. I’ve waited more than twenty minutes for a squat rack, free bench, and bench press, and have even had to go back to my room to do core because of inadequate room on the ab mats.

Don’t get me wrong; there are some perks to going at this time. If you’re someone who just wants to run on the treadmill and stare in amazement as the guy across the gym benches 350 for the tenth time, rush hour is perfect for you. If, however, you’re looking to get a more serious workout in using a plethora of machines and weights, I’d recommend either going in the morning or after 8; it’ll be more peaceful, and you’ll get a lot more done.

P.S. - the saunas are the best way to end any workout.

5. Never miss a tailgate

Tailgate season (frequently abbreviated on instagram as SZN) is legendary here at the U. Rain or shine, morning or night, students come out to party and celebrate another game day in the sunny state of Florida. Between the thousands of screaming students, blasting speakers and barrage of orange and green, our tailgates tend to feel more like out of control concerts than anything else. So, take a solo cup and dip it in the pool of fireball, turn that bottom up, and before ya know it you’ll be one of the screaming, out of control students ready to see the U win another championship.

Pro Tip - Don’t take your drink out of the designated tailgate zone, the police will notice and will fine you. Also, drink plenty of water and let a friend know if you feel sick or need medical attention; too many students getting too out of control means the end of tailgate season for everyone, and safety is always priority #1.

6. Tuesdays and Thursdays are for the Grove

Our campus is located about 5-10 minutes southwest of Coconut Grove, the most popular weeknight party destination for Canes. In it, you’ll find sports and karaoke bars, taco stands, and just about every other drunk college kid in the south Miami area. Sandbar and Barracudas are the local favorites; just make sure you don't try and go in unless you can prove you’re 21 with a valid I.D. (wink wink).

7. Our Health Center is incredible

Just last semester the University's brand new health center opened up on the southern tip of campus. Packed with some of the most experienced medical professionals in the Miami area, the services they offer are endless. You get sick freshmen year; that’s just a fact, but you don't have to let it ruin your semester. By making an appointment online, you can see a doctor that same day, and get advice on your specific condition. The most common illnesses found at the U tend to be Mono, Strep, and other viral and bacterial infections spread through close contact. You can pick up your prescription right at the pharmacy located on the first floor, and hopefully be back to normal in no time. The U Miami health center also offers free STI testing, nutritionists, physical therapists, and a deluge of mental health services.

8. Think about Sophomore Housing Sooner Rather than Later

Don’t think about it too early, either. I only put this on my list because of my own personal experience with housing this most recent semester. I put it off, thinking it’d be easy, but then March passed, and April, and before I knew it, it was May, I was leaving Florida in a week for the summer, and I still didn’t have an apartment for next year. I’d say early second semester is the right time to be thinking about next year’s housing, and make sure to explore all the options. Most kids get off campus apartments in places like Red Road or Gables Ponce, but plenty others stay on campus. Some get houses as well, but that's more common for upperclassmen. I only say to keep it on the back of your mind because it’ll take longer than you think. Figuring out roommates, pricing, and location all while balancing school is a more tedious task than you might think. By keeping ahead of the game and organizing your future housing sooner rather than later, you can avoid adding another thing to stress about during finals week. That being said, don’t stress if you don’t get it figured out right away; there are always tons of posts on Facebook about kids needing roommates or wanting to sublease. Also, keep an eye on the Facebook pages towards the end of the year: innumerable posts go up about free furniture, and taking advantage of them could mean furnishing your apartment for next to nothing.

9. Go to the Keys

If I had to pick one thing to suggest to incoming freshmen, it would be to find a way to get down to the Keys. If you’ve never been, the Florida keys are Bahama-like islands that stretch miles past the end of the continental U.S. Using the infamous Overseas Highway, you can get from Key Largo to Islamorada and all the way to the iconic Key West. They offer incomparable fishing, snorkeling, boating and bar-hopping, as well as the best seafood I’ve ever had. Hotels can be super cheap, and you can either find a friend with a ride or rent a Zipcar to make your way down. Once you do, make sure to get some illegally imported Cuban cigars, sip a Mojito on the beach, and get a fried shrimp roll from D.J.’s Clam Shack.

10. Always Check Rate My Professor (Sorry Engineers)

Always check Rate my Professor before signing up for next semester’s classes. It’s a great resource with real student reviews, and can shed light on the type of coursework, course difficulty, and teaching style that each professor brings with them. "Sorry engineers" was written in parenthesis because I hate to say it; you guys won’t have as many choices as everyone else. Being an engineer, I basically have a four year schedule already planned, and what dictates an engineering schedule is often the class time rather than professor teaching it. However, for other majors (as well as for cognates), it's a great website, and if you choose your professors based on the reviews, I guarantee you won't regret it.

11. Don’t forget you’re in Miami

Our school can have so much going on sometimes that it’s hard to ever make your way off campus. I’m a proponent of participating in school organized functions, but make sure to explore Miami a bit as well. Being in Coral Gables, it’s easy to disconnect a bit from the skyline, but by doing so you sacrifice all the awesome activities Miami has to offer. I’m sure everyone reading this knows about South Beach, but that’s not the only place you can go in Miami. Visiting the Perez Art Museum, Museum of Sex, or the just-opened Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science make for perfect weekend outings. There are also world class restaurants located all throughout Miami (may I suggest BLT), and don’t forget the festivals that come around every year; Ultra, Rolling Loud and Riptide are among the most popular. The Wynwood Art Walk is also a favorite activity of many students; just don't leave without getting at least one Salty Donut.