1. The class registration process is hectic. The system they have is flawed like most. We first-years have an unfair advantage the first semester, because by the time it is our turn to register the upperclassmen have already chosen their classes. The first Thursday during freshman orientation week, we all sit in our FYI seminars waiting nervously for the portal to open. The goal is to quickly sign up for your class before it fills up. Sounds easy, right? WRONG. We have to compete with the rest of our 400-something-in-number class to get into classes that are already mostly filled by the rest of the students. It is the worst five minutes that anyone will ever experience at Beloit. My heart was pounding and my hands were shaking afterwards, because the system always crashes when everyone is trying to be on the same site. Then you have to do it two more times! So stressful!
2. Room assignments are always what they are. Here at Beloit, you can’t see your room before you move in. Yes, they have floor plans on their website, but each room varies, especially depending on whatever dorm your room is in. My roommate and I were suppose to have a walk-through double, which is basically just two rooms connected to each other. When we arrived, it turned out to be a single room, but it was a lounge that they converted into a dorm room. Thus, we have a pretty sweet set of windows and a windowsill bench. It turned out for the better, and I’ll be really sad next year when I will only have one window in my room.
3. Don’t wear your ID around your neck. I didn’t realize people did this, but it actually happens. Just don’t do it; it is a dead giveaway that you are a freshman.
4. Depending on your Meal Plan, you have to plan accordingly to your schedule and when to eat. This is an actual thing you have to plan out, because you get 14 meals per week. Commons is open most of the week, but there are certain meals that are closed for dinner on Sundays. It also depends on when your classes are, because on Tuesdays and Thursday I get food from the little cafes on campus since I don’t have enough time to eat at commons and make it to my next class on the opposite end of campus.
5. It can be cheaper to attend a private school than a university. I ended up applying to 5 schools in total and got accepted into all of them. Three of them were liberal arts colleges, one was a university, and the last one was a community college. In the end, the liberal school out of state was the cheapest school to attend besides community college. Even though money was a huge factor in being able to attend Beloit, it still would’ve been my first choice even if I had to pay full tuition (which I wouldn’t have been able to, and I’d have been very sad if that was the case; I love it here).
6. Liberal arts colleges are more progressive in personal acceptance. I’m not saying that universities and other college institutions aren’t progressive, but from observation and conversations it is my opinion that the liberal schools know where it's at. The first question here at Beloit that I was asked was typical. It starts with "What is your name?" The second question threw me off guard though. I was asked what my preferred pronouns are. How awesome is that. This campus is all about being a safe place and being comfortable with your gender identity. After that it’s the typical "Where are you from?", but I love that this campus is all about being yourself. Most people just assume that girls are girls and boys are boys, but really, that is vague and incorrect.
7. You can never pack enough clothes. I packed almost my entire closet, and I still feel like I don’t have enough clothes! In the Midwest you need to overpack, especially for the fall and winter seasons. Next time I take a trip home, I’ll be sure to bring the rest with me.
8. Books are expensive. They have a bookstore here at Beloit where we get all of our books, and it’s really nice because they have all of the books required for your class and you can either rent them or buy them used/new. The only flaw is that your textbook inventory will pile up after a while, and that's when it gets expensive. Luckily, you can sell them back to the bookstore.
9. Media interpretation of frat parties is not correct. Here at Beloit they have an “alcohol philosophy.” In summary, this means that underaged or not, you will be permitted to drink as long as you’re being responsible and not yelling, causing problems, or just in general not acting like a hot mess. People do not pressure or force you to drink, and there are ways to have fun without being drunk.
10. A fridge and microwave are a must. I brought a microwave and my roommate brought a mini-fridge, and it has been so nice. When dinner is not available to me on Sundays, I can easily microwave something if I don’t wanna leave my room. Even just a cup of tea is nice. Additionally, I love being able to keep food in the fridge for later.

I love Beloit, and I could not imagine attending school anywhere else. I love the atmosphere the most around here and the open acceptance of everyone. I can’t wait to see what the next three years here has in store for me.