Making the first year count

By Mike Pellicio

WASHINGTON

As I enter my third year at Santa Clara, albeit in Washington, I feel I have learned a thing or two about college life. Clearly, I have an obligation to share this wisdom with the incoming freshman class.

First -- and I put this first because it's already a little late -- all that nonsense about taking RLC-linked classes is garbage. You don't need to take them. Don't be fooled like I was. If you want to take a class with kids exclusively from your dorm- go ahead, xenophobe. Otherwise, choose classes based on your actual interests. You'll meet cool people there, too. I promise.

Also, when you select teachers during winter registration, don't fall victim to a common misconception: easy classes are better classes. I discourage you from taking easy classes not just so you will challenge yourself, but because the easy classes are terrible. They're boring--that's why they're so easy. Take the "tough" classes and you'll find that not only will the class be far more engaging, but the teachers may not be so tough after all.

Watch out for classes with Arrupe Placements. It's involuntary community service, if you weren't aware. If you don't mind spending time outside of class at a predetermined time every week for no additional credit, that's cool. Community service is a nice program, but not when you're force-fed.

Also noteworthy, the first few weekends are the best party weekends (if you haven't already figured that out). Go out! The rest of the year you will mostly be on your own for nighttime entertainment. House parties aren't exactly clamoring for freshman (well, guys, at least). And forget about the laughable frat scene that our school pretends doesn't exist.

As far as the school's cafeteria goes, be grateful. It could be a lot worse. I hate our food -- but it's also the best I've had at a college campus cafeteria. Here at American University, Bon Appetit does our food too, only it's the stuff from the back of the truck that they forgot to deliver to Santa Clara.

Join Ruff Riders. Go to soccer games. Our teams are awesome. I just watched the guys in Maryland last week, and it was really cool. We try to create an intimidating environment for the visiting team and it helps to have aimless hoards of freshman at the games as well as parties.

And finally, a word on dorms: if you live in one of the fun dorms (Dunne, Swig), you can forget about going to bed at a reasonable hour. If you live at Sobrato, you won't have any problems getting some to sleep early because personally, I don't see any reason to stay up past midnight there anyway.

Above all, though, do your best to attend class, get to know people, and make the tuition worth it!

Mike Pellicio is a junior political science major.