Once you’ve lived on a college’s campus long enough, you start to pick up tips and tricks on how to make your life easier. As a South Dakota State University junior, I would like to pass down some of the things I’ve learned over the past three years.
While some of these tips are SDSU specific, some can also be applied to college life in general. Please note that these are just my opinions and should be taken with a grain of salt. Nevertheless, please enjoy and comment down below if I missed anything.
1. The financial aid people aren’t the happiest people on the planet, but they’re helpful.
Remember that they deal with problems all day long—especially at the beginning of semesters. Don’t take it personally.
2. For god’s sake, have a conversation with your roommate(s) about expectations.
It’s annoying, but you’ll be thankful for opening up that line of communication later.
3. Each residence hall has a number of CAs (Community Assistants) in it to help students become better adjusted to campus.
When talking about your CA to a non-SDSU student, you will often get the question, “Is that like a resident assistant?” The answer is yes. And you might as well only refer to them to outsiders as RAs because no one else on the planet seems to know what a CA is.
4. The Meadows Apartments are run by RMs (Resident Managers).
Again, just refer to them as RAs to outsiders.
5. We don’t have many sororities/fraternities here.
While the number we do have is probably appropriate for the college’s size in general, this might be limiting for someone looking for a Greek chapter that fits their personality best.
6. Not everyone drinks. Don’t feel pressured to be into that.
However, Hobo Day and Pub Crawl are fun to participate it. As I always say, make bad choices responsibly.
7. This is a “suitcase campus.”
If you want to have any fun Saturday and Sunday, I suggest you make plans with your friends in advance. Otherwise, you’ll be alone and bored all weekend.
8. If you do find yourself alone and bored on a weekend, go to a campus event.
Obviously you’ll find some duds here and there, but most are good. You might even get some free stuff out the deal.
9. McCrory Gardens is neat.
10. So is half-off sushi at Sake and pie at Perkins.
11. The places to eat on campus have peak times during which they are busiest.
Since most classes get out fifty minutes past the hour, consider venturing out to eat more towards the middle of the hour. (The app Tapingo is also a way around waiting in line. Click here to learn more.)
12. Meal plans are great, but it is really tempting to buy unhealthy food and beverages when you have one.
I suggest not getting one if you have the chance, and challenge yourself to make your own meals. I know it’s a burden, but it is an important skill to master.
13. Textbooks 4 Less really does have textbooks for less.
14. Clickers should never be purchased at full price.
Buy a used one. Facebook closed groups (like South Dakota Sate University Class of 2017) are good places to find them.
15. Hobo Dough is unnecessary.
You’ll only use it for laundry and printing when you realize you need a hard copy of your paper right now and can’t run back to your residence hall.
16. The Wellness Center always offers free fitness classes and cardio pass discounts at the beginning of each semester.
Consider taking advantage of the opportunity. Fitness classes are actually really fun.
17. Practice with your intramural team before competing.
Intramural competitors are usually pretty talented.
18. Much like the places to eat on campus, the Wellness Center has its own peak busy times.
Figure out what times these are if you suffer from any form of gym anxiety.
19. The Wellness Center’s counseling services really are helpful - and free.
20. You really can get to most places on campus within ten minutes.
21. Dealing with the parking here is not fun, but they do stop ticketing in a few areas at 4 p.m.
22. These classrooms get chilly.
I have the worst luck with Rotunda D classes. Dress in layers. This is a good hack for South Dakota — or life in general.
23. There is no real difference between a B.A. and a B.S.
A Bachelor of Art requires that you take a foreign language. A Bachelor of Science requires that you take science classes. Choosing one over the other doesn’t make you any less employable.
24. It’s not recommended, but if you feel compelled to drop a class after the add/drop date, you can do so.
You did pay for the credits and you will receive a “W” on your transcript, but sometimes it is in your best interest. This happened to me when I realized I couldn’t handle the workload I signed up for with my part-time job and other responsibilities. Talk to your academic adviser to figure out what your best option is.
25. Go to class.
You’re paying for it and it really does improve your grade. At the same time, it’s college. Skipping a class here and there isn’t going to damage you severely. As I said, make bad choices responsibly.
