Syllabus week: the week where college is manageable. Also known as the week of "Hi, my name is..." and meeting the new faces of fall. Cleveland State University is the place I call home. I spend the majority of my week here, with working on-campus and taking five classes. It's great to see students walking the innerlink with their new found friends. CSU isn't your typical college experience though, being that we are located in the middle of a city. Here are four tips for the freshmen of CSU on how to make the most out of four years!
Embrace the non-traditional campus life
Our background is Progressive Field and Playhouse Square. If you look closely enough, you can still see the confetti pieces from the Cavs Championship celebrations. It's a great thing to live in a concrete jungle and it's an even better place to go to school, We don't have the most traditional setup, but running along Euclid Ave are the many buildings that house knowledge and memories. CSU is a hidden gem, and if you don't look hard enough you may miss it. Consider yourself lucky enough to be going to school in the middle of a revitalization.
Attend fall sporting events
There isn't a better way to celebrate your school other than to come support the sports teams. It's fun to support your fellow Vikings, and hello, free t-shirts are also a plus. You'll sometimes make friends with people who are on the various teams here and it means a lot to them if you go and cheer them on! Show you bleed green and white by coming out to watch the various fall sports.
Actually go to class
When is the last time you've ever spent $5,000 on something and didn't use it? Tuition is expensive and you would be stupid to think that you'll get your degree by not showing up. As your gen ed's are coming to an end, you'll start to realize just how much you actually have to study. Aside from the actually learning, the easiest way to make friends are by going to class. You'll have common interests with some of the people you meet and it's a great way to find someone to study or do homework with.
Stop being complacent
Get out of the mindset that told you to "not quit anything". If you're unhappy with something, do something about it. Change your major, move to a new location, and officially drop out of the club you never actually did anything for. College is too short to waste your time being involved with something you're not happy with.
I'm entering my junior year here at CSU and I've enjoyed every step of the way. Don't graduate with regrets or "what-ifs." Congrautlations, you're a Viking!
