As freshman coming into a new place, having to make all new friends and trying to find your place in the world, here's a few tips to succeed at Tarleton State University.
Move in Day.
Make sure you are ready for the long haul. I remember last year the line to move in stretched all around the campus, people were waiting in their car for HOURS. Bring snacks, try to get there early or maybe show up late and you won't have such a long wait to get in. Be friendly to all your hall-mates, because you'll be living next to them all year long. Also make sure you move your furniture around before you unpack! ( and it is possible in Heritage to get your bed sideways against the window ... be creative).
Transition Week
You will walk everywhere, everyday, all the time. Bring comfy shoes please. There are going to be a bunch of presentations on stuff you actually need to know about so just go into it with a positive attitude! These presentors are going to be your future professors, class mates, and important figures in the Tarleton community, take the time to shake their hand and make sure you have some unique questions to ask them so they remember you when they see you in your class. Having a good relationship with your professor is so beneficial. They can help you out in the class room and with your career goals, because you never know who they may know in the job field. Professors can open opportunities for you to put into your resume or to help you find direction in you career aspirations.
Buying Books
Please please please don't buy your books before the first day of class. (unless your taking a lab class because you are going to need that book) Odds are you may not need that book, or there is a cheaper option you can buy that wasn't on the syllabus. The best thing to do is just wait it out and order the books you need from Chegg or Amazon, they'll be cheaper than the book store! Also during transition week EVERY SINGLE FRESHMAN will be trying to buy their books, the line will be cray cray. So just take a chill pill, and try to get there the moment the book store opens to get the books you need!
First Day of Class
If you're like me you really want to get a good seat the first day. I had a huge biology class my first semester, so I got there 30 minutes early to get a good seat. I'm so forreal, like people will be lined up to get a good seat depending on the class. Just talking about it makes me antsy, like a good seat can affect how well you do in a class. Especially if your want your professor to know you, sit in the front and ask good questions! There actually is such a thing as a bad question, and you'll learn the difference. Trust me. I had a class where the teacher couldn't get through her lecture because this kid at the front wouldn't stop asking her questions. If you're that confused meet with your professor after class, or hit up the library tutoring service.
The Dining Hall
Breakfast is my favorite meal they serve in the dhall. For one reason only ... The Omelette Lady. Find this lady the first day of school and be her best friend, she doesn't speak much English, but she's real sweet and can make a bomb omelette. SO. GOOD. Also there are times to hit the dhall so you get the freshest food. At 8 a.m., noon, and 5 p.m., are the best times to get food. But they are also the most busy. So if you can get there a little early or an hour later you will avoid the crowd and still get a good pick of what they have that day. And if you go to the dhall on orientation or Texan Tour days they will usually have fancier food.
Hope this helps make your transition into college easy and painless. You're going to love Tarleton.
