MUScoop
MUScoop => The Superbar => Topic started by: Onions! on August 17, 2011, 12:52:57 PM
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Alright so a week from now I will be moved in on campus as a freshman!!! It'd be cool if I could get some tips/stories on the Marquette experience or College experience as a whole.
Thanks guys, and looking forward to officially joining the Marquette Community!
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Alright so a week from now I will be moved in on campus as a freshman!!! It'd be cool if I could get some tips/stories on the Marquette experience or College experience as a whole.
Thanks guys, and looking forward to officially joining the Marquette Community!
Tips: Find parties, get drunk, make friends.
Write down the LIMO number so they can come pick you up if you get lost.
You'll do fine. I miss my first year at college. It was the first opportunity in my life where I could completely reinvent myself because nobody knew me. Try new things, be yourself, wear shower-shoes :)
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And as a father of college aged kids....
Do all that Skat says, but also, get involved, be proactive with your professors (office time makes a difference), experience Milwaukee (if you aren't from the area), and drink some more.
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get student tickets and go to every game (even the cupcakes)
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Equal parts study/education and fun. I don't look back and say "Man I wish I had gotten those 15 extra points on my X test" but I do say "Freshman year Spring Break was one of the best vacations I couldn't afford!"
Definitely get student basketball tickets, lots of fun times going to games. I remember when a group of us tried to figure out how to "steal" the other teams banner/flag that the cheerleaders were using. We stalked it an entire half, only to be denied.
Freshman year McCormick was a blast. Some of my best friends in life were made on the 11th floor that year.
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Milwaukee is a huge bar city so I hope your prepared for that, if not its pretty easy to find someone that makes IDs.
Also winter creeps up on faster than a bum who saw you get change at Walgreens so enjoy the nice weather durning September and October. After that you will be well adjusted and know your way around for the long darkness that is November through April, but like others have said MU Bball is the savior for the time.
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buy your beer at campus foods. they let you put it into a backpack in the store. Also, when sneaking beer into the dorms, do it at a busy time. You can get caught walking in on a friday/saturday night with a bulging backpack. Also, make it a goal to make it to Harp and Shamrock at 6 am.
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And as a father of college aged kids....
Do all that Skat says, but also, get involved, be proactive with your professors (office time makes a difference), experience Milwaukee (if you aren't from the area), and drink some more.
I'm in the same boat as you Sultan. Get to know your professors. You'll need them come time for recommendations for jobs and/or grad school. I also think it's important to get season tickets for BB games, roadtrip to Madtown if you can for a game or concert (saw Neil Young in 1984), get to the lakefront while the weather's nice, and most importantly, my advice to you is to drink heavily.
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buy your beer at campus foods. they let you put it into a backpack in the store. Also, when sneaking beer into the dorms, do it at a busy time. You can get caught walking in on a friday/saturday night with a bulging backpack. Also, make it a goal to make it to Harp and Shamrock at 6 am.
On that note, take your cans out of the box and wrap them in a tower so they don't clang together in your backpack.
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On that note, take your cans out of the box and wrap them in a tower so they don't clang together in your backpack.
Or, make friends with your RA and if he's cool (and 21) just have him buy the beer and bring it in for you.
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Choose your public urination points wisely and
never drink and sit on a railing.
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buy your beer at campus foods.
Kampus Foods. We want the kid to know where he's going, right?
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Spend time outside of class getting to know your professors? Be friends with your RA? What kind of dorkbaits are you guys?
+ If you're looking for action and have no game, just be one of the last guys standing and you'll do fine. Hang out around 16th and Wells at 2:30 and meet chicks.
+ Spend a considerable amount of time vocally campaigning for the return of the Warriors name.
+ If you absolutely feel you must study, do one of two things: (1) go to the AMU - lots of box studying there that you can meet, or (2) go to the library with a bunch of your buddies. Try to out fart your pals. Let them rip as loud and as often as humanly possible while seated by a lot of your friends. Makes study time fun.
+ Bet other kids they won't do things. Take up collections and offer money if needed. Kids will do some bizarro stuff. Streaking in a bird mask down the girls' floors should be a nightly event. Also, take a class with a number of good buddies. Offer one some money for a bet - he has to sh1t in class while you're all there. Depends, etc. are allowed. But, he must sh1t in class. After he dumps, everyone has to agree to play it off like they don't know where it's coming from, even though you'll want to laugh and point at his pants.
+ Do not get within 5 feet of Freeway.
+ Do not take Women in the Bible with your buddy. It seems like a smart idea and indeed the class is almost all chicks. But, the teacher will hate that guys are in the class trying to meet girls.
+ Play ragball at MacArthur Square. It's an underrated 'field' that should be utilized. Great for ragball games.
+ Don't get some dumb liberal arts degree.
+ Stay around campus during the summer.
+ Don't be a wuss - take 18+ credits every semester. MU is a great place, but school is not cheap.
+ Attendance is not necessary in many classes. If you don't want to go, don't go. Just get the A when it's test time. Unless you're slow.
+ Do not have a car on campus, but make sure you have friends that do. Grocery shop, etc. using their vehicle.
+ Pizza Shuttle.
+ Marquette gyros are a good late night snack. If you bring it back to your dorm or apartment, make sure to throw the remains and paper bag out into the hallway before passing out. One little half-strip of gyro meat can stink up your spot for months.
+ Do not give money to panhandlers.
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Place Carrie Underwood posters on your walls, ceiling, closet, and men's biffer.
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Avoid 8am classes, have a Monte cristo at michaels at 3am (you'll have to prepay), and take advantage of the cheapest season tickets you'll ever be able to buy or scalp the season for 4xface to an alumni.
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Guys, Kampus Foods was killed off when MU bought out that whole first floor of that building and turned it into a semi-dorm.
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Guys, Kampus Foods was killed off when MU bought out that whole first floor of that building and turned it into a semi-dorm.
I think you're thinking of Dany's. Kampus Foods is the one by Subway on 14th and Wells, right behind Triangle.
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Avoid 8am classes, have a Monte cristo at michaels at 3am (you'll have to prepay), and take advantage of the cheapest season tickets you'll ever be able to buy or scalp the season for 4xface to an alumni.
Hate to tell you- but Michael's ended their 24/7 operation a couple months ago after a triple shooting outside. They had been doing a "strict" no weapons policy prior to that, pat downs with the full security force etc. After the shooting Michael decided it wasn't worth the all night operation anymore I guess.
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Danys is closed??? I used to go there with an empty backpack every thursday morning to get my case for the weekend. So sad...
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Hate to tell you- but Michael's ended their 24/7 operation a couple months ago after a triple shooting outside. They had been doing a "strict" no weapons policy prior to that, pat downs with the full security force etc. After the shooting Michael decided it wasn't worth the all night operation anymore I guess.
Not surprising. Oh well.
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I think you're thinking of Dany's. Kampus Foods is the one by Subway on 14th and Wells, right behind Triangle.
Oh yeah.
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Onions, if you take anything from Jay Bee's fantastic list, it would the this.
+ Don't get some dumb liberal arts degree.
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Hey, I have a "dumb liberal arts degree" and I am doing just fine. I had no need to have my career propped up by a pre-professional degree. (I kid, I kid....)
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I lived a lot like Jay bee's list while I was in school (except for the sh*tting myself part).
It was a blast.
One suggestion for any incoming student:
There is enough time in the week to be both a nerd and a jackass. Put in 2 hours at the library most days (maybe between 4-6pm?) and you will do well in your classes and have plenty of time for goofing around in the dorms and meeting girls.
I skipped the "library part" my first couple of years, and honestly, it made school a lot harder and more stressful than it needed to be. Put in a little work everyday, and it's not difficult to maintain a B average and have plenty of goof off time.
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Agree with Jay Bee and Hilltopper on Liberal Arts Degree. Don't do it.
Might as well start your job at Radio Shack right now.
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Don't date crazy. You can't fix crazy, it can only drag you down GPA for 3 semesters while dating crazy: 2.4. GPA for the 5 semesters not dating crazy: 3.1.
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The engineer (nerd) in me has this to offer...
Do your HW/studying after your classes if your schedule allows it. EX: If you take a 9am and 10am class on M,W,F then graba bite and then study during the afternoon until your 2:30 or whatever. Then you're done by 5/6pm and don't have to make a decision to study to party. You can do both!!
I did this starting my sophomore year b/c i was struggling in my major a little bit. My GPA rose by about .8+ ....and so did my BAC at night.
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Don't date crazy. You can't fix crazy, it can only drag you down GPA for 3 semesters while dating crazy: 2.4. GPA for the 5 semesters not dating crazy: 3.1.
+1 And don't date Crazy's best friend even if Crazy suggested it. You will end up getting threatening phone calls at 3 am and Crazy will show up one night wielding a gun.
One tip from experience: Sure sign that chick is crazy - She opens her purse to show you a handgun on your first date and brags about smashing her car into her ex's car. She may sound exciting and it is for awhile.....
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The engineer (nerd) in me has this to offer...
Do your HW/studying after your classes if your schedule allows it. EX: If you take a 9am and 10am class on M,W,F then graba bite and then study during the afternoon until your 2:30 or whatever. Then you're done by 5/6pm and don't have to make a decision to study to party. You can do both!!
I did this starting my sophomore year b/c i was struggling in my major a little bit. My GPA rose by about .8+ ....and so did my BAC at night.
One better - look right away for a work study job. I worked in the College of Engineering making copies, doing basic filing stuff, entering grades, etc. - so while you only work half the time, the other half you can study while making (back in 2000) around $8. Makes for easy beer money plus the hours are regular business hours. Works out great.
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No one has addressed the issue of always wearing your raincoat, regardless of the weather.
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One major piece of advice that I forgot to mention is do not be scared or intimidated by DPS, they are your firends not your enemy. When they show up to party's don't run, they are probably there because the people who live in the house called them because of over crowding.
DPS is there to keep the outsiders away not ruin your good time. The quicker you realize they aren't trouble the more fun you will have and you will be more relaxed. I had friends that were scared sh!tless of them the first time they came into a party and since I had an older brother attend MU I laughed my A$$ off because they are a joke.
The one thing they do bust kids on all the time is swiping into the dorms with their fake ID, dont do that. Just keep it somewhere safe in your wallet where you know you will never grab it no matter how smashed you are.
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One better - look right away for a work study job. I worked in the College of Engineering making copies, doing basic filing stuff, entering grades, etc. - so while you only work half the time, the other half you can study while making (back in 2000) around $8. Makes for easy beer money plus the hours are regular business hours. Works out great.
Yep. Did the same thing in the Straz computer lab nearly a decade earlier (VAX based e-mail and gopher - look it up). A lot of the jobs offer a really flexible schedule. Pop in for an hour, go to class, pop back in for another hour, get a green drink from Heggarty's (RIP), wake up the next day.
Just don't stoop low enough to be one of those kids calling on behalf of the blue and gold fund. I did it one time only. It's awful.
But do it. It's easy money and does give you a chance to study - depending on the job though.
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Yep. Did the same thing in the Straz computer lab nearly a decade earlier (VAX based e-mail and gopher - look it up). A lot of the jobs offer a really flexible schedule. Pop in for an hour, go to class, pop back in for another hour, get a green drink from Heggarty's (RIP), wake up the next day.
Just don't stoop low enough to be one of those kids calling on behalf of the blue and gold fund. I did it one time only. It's awful.
But do it. It's easy money and does give you a chance to study - depending on the job though.
I worked in the Straz computer lab too...around '89-91 or '92. Up on the 2nd or 3rd floor if I remember correctly. Didn't know crap about computers or any of the programs at the time. After that I worked the front desk of the athletic club in the basement of the Federal (blue) building across from Grand Avenue. Also one of the easier jobs I've ever had, but had to be there super early (5:30ish) on days I was supposed to open. Some hungover days there....
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There is enough time in the week to be both a nerd and a jackass.
I'm going to go ahead and say that this is the best advice I've seen on here so far, and advice that I'd give my kids when they go.
College costs a metric sh*t-ton of money. If either you or your parents are paying that, I think you owe it to them or to yourself to work hard and do well. If it's being offered to you for free (or at a discount) take advantage of the opportunity. Figure out what works best for you, but find a balance and do well.
On the other hand, college is an absolute blast. Have fun. There are many, many ways to do that. Some on here might gasp, but that doesn't necessarily mean drinking. If you don't drink...that's a viable decision. As someone else mentioned, this is a chance to be yourself, even if that means you don't drink. Peer pressure can be a bitch, don't give in an do things that you don't want to do just because others are doing them. There are a lot of great things to do in college even if you don't drink. I happened to be one who drank (more than a lot of people, less than a lot of others). My roommate for the first three years didn't. We both had a lot of fun...sometimes together, sometimes separately.
A few specifics (some of which may have been covered, others maybe not):
- Get season tickets for Men's basketball
- Road trip to some away games
- Go to some other sports too
- Play intramural sports
- Blow off a class for no reason other than to lie in the sun, play frisbee with friends or something like that
- Spend some time helping somebody
- Get to some decent concerts (either "real" concerts or just in dive bars) -- the music you love in college will likely be some of your favorite music for your entire life, so you might as well make some cool memories
- Take a road trip home with a friend for a weekend who's from somewhere you've never been
- Thank your parents for the sacrifice they're making for you
Damn, I feel old. I didn't realize I was that much older than others on this board.
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My most important lesson academically was time management. Its not the drinking at night or partying your face off on the weekends that kills your GPA, its the f-ing around at 5 in the afternoon before dinner or at 8 when you're just hanging out playing video games. I nearly flunked out my first year and I rarely went out except for the weekends. However, I played tons of video games and watched tons of TV/movies down the hall with kids in my dorm. By junior/senior year, I would go out 4-5 nights a week, was super involved with a business organization, and was flirting with Deans List each semester. It wasn't that I was suddenly smarter or a bookworm, I just studied smarter. I still didn't go to the library, cause it was too quiet and I got distracted.
Be shameless about meeting girls, and stay friends with them. Just cause they don't want to date you now, doesn't mean that won't change in 2 years. My success rate with girls I knew/met freshman year doubled in later years.
The point about DPS is a good one. I didn't go to Marquette, but in my college town, the local police were the same way. They weren't concerned with busting dumb freshman for underage, it was about making sure parties didn't get out of control and you weren't messing with the surrounding areas. As long as you're doing nothing wrong (in this case drinking falls under that), they're your allies.
Freshman year is the groundwork. You may meet your best friends/wife/etc later in college, but freshman year is where you create that social network that allows all that to be possible. I probably only talk regularly with 1 or 2 kids from my freshman year dorm. But my 3 roommates and most of my good friends from college are tangentially related to those freshman year connections.
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My most important lesson academically was time management. Its not the drinking at night or partying your face off on the weekends that kills your GPA, its the f-ing around at 5 in the afternoon before dinner or at 8 when you're just hanging out playing video games. I nearly flunked out my first year and I rarely went out except for the weekends. However, I played tons of video games and watched tons of TV/movies down the hall with kids in my dorm. By junior/senior year, I would go out 4-5 nights a week, was super involved with a business organization, and was flirting with Deans List each semester. It wasn't that I was suddenly smarter or a bookworm, I just studied smarter. I still didn't go to the library, cause it was too quiet and I got distracted.
Be shameless about meeting girls, and stay friends with them. Just cause they don't want to date you now, doesn't mean that won't change in 2 years. My success rate with girls I knew/met freshman year doubled in later years.
The point about DPS is a good one. I didn't go to Marquette, but in my college town, the local police were the same way. They weren't concerned with busting dumb freshman for underage, it was about making sure parties didn't get out of control and you weren't messing with the surrounding areas. As long as you're doing nothing wrong (in this case drinking falls under that), they're your allies.
Freshman year is the groundwork. You may meet your best friends/wife/etc later in college, but freshman year is where you create that social network that allows all that to be possible. I probably only talk regularly with 1 or 2 kids from my freshman year dorm. But my 3 roommates and most of my good friends from college are tangentially related to those freshman year connections.
great post
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You are on camera everywhere you go on campus, do not forget that.
Also, get off campus. Go to the eastside, Third Ward & Water Street, there's better times to be had than sitting at Murphy's Dance Hall.
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after all of this, why am I not surprised that Jaybee has a male sh!t fetish?
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Get involved with something. Anything. A club. A group. Intramural sports. If you don't like it, find something else.
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Got a significant other now? Fine. Don't go running home to see them until Thanksgiving.
Don't have a significant other now? Don't get one AT LEAST until spring semester. Get to know the people on your floor in the dorm, especially if they're in any of your classes or even the same college as you.
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One major piece of advice that I forgot to mention is do not be scared or intimidated by DPS, they are your firends not your enemy. When they show up to party's don't run, they are probably there because the people who live in the house called them because of over crowding.
And remember that if you're at a house party, that's someone's HOUSE. Not the actual owner, but the people renting it. If there's jackasses in their house, they're going to want the party over. Don't be that guy.
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Got a significant other now? Fine. Don't go running home to see them until Thanksgiving.
Don't have a significant other now? Don't get one AT LEAST until spring semester. Get to know the people on your floor in the dorm, especially if they're in any of your classes or even the same college as you.
And if you have a significant other that is still going to be in high school this upcoming school year? You have about four more days to break it off.
Both of you will thank me for this advice...
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All this advice sounds like it's coming from a bunch of old farts. Let the kid be. We all found our own way. The fun is the journey.
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^^ Don't listen to old farts who tell you not to listen to old farts.
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Yo 4ever if the kid wanted to be then he wouldn't of asked for advice, but I do agree that some of the advice is clearly coming from parents who are telling their kids the same stuff: make sure you study, get to know your teachers, get out to explore and be active/involved. I would hope that he studies or else he won't last long, its Marquette you have no option of getting to know your techers its gonna happen when there are 30 kids in a class and if he is in a big lecture hall they have discussion classes, and getting involved is overrated unless thats your type of thing.
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getting involved is overrated unless thats your type of thing.
Not being more involved is the biggest regret I have about my college years.
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Spend time outside of class getting to know your professors? Be friends with your RA? What kind of dorkbaits are you guys?
We had a deal: the RA got to meet the freshman girls we were hanging out with, we got our beer/Skol vodka chauffeured into McCormick.
I didn't say hang out with the guy the whole time, but there was a reason everyone drank in our dorm room before going out. Make friends with your RA right away and you'd be impressed with the amount of crap you can get away with.
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**Always wrap it before you tap it.**
Do what you love. Also, make sure to see the city before the winter. In the winter, it gets dark at 4 and there is three feet of snow on either side of you as you walk to class. Oh, and dont smoke pot in the dorms, go outside for that. There are better ways to get arrested.
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Yo 4ever if the kid wanted to be then he wouldn't of asked for advice, but I do agree that some of the advice is clearly coming from parents who are telling their kids the same stuff: make sure you study, get to know your teachers, get out to explore and be active/involved. I would hope that he studies or else he won't last long, its Marquette you have no option of getting to know your techers its gonna happen when there are 30 kids in a class and if he is in a big lecture hall they have discussion classes, and getting involved is overrated unless thats your type of thing.
This is why you stay in school kids. Proper grammar, spelling and punctuation doesn't teach itself.
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I know what I would do and it doesn't include books.
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Not being more involved is the biggest regret I have about my college years.
I was extremely involved: president of my fraternity, student council, couple other clubs and on campus jobs. This stopped me from taking a legit internship and really made it hard when it came to graduate. Have fun, but remember you are in school to help you get a career.
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1. Attend Classes. Lots of life lessons and nuance from professors learned, and not attending makes for a lot more work. Ya, skip a couple of times a semester for nice days/events... but otherwise, do yourself a favor and show up for class and take good notes. It will cut down on your work load a lot. I always figured a missed class took twice as long to catch up on. Showing up for class will avoid a lot of stress.
2. Study during the day between classes, as mentioned above, and some on Sundays. You want to get good grades or you will regret it later. If you make good use of your days, you can have a lot of evenings free at the dorms when most people are back at the dorms. You want to be able to socialize and make friends/have fun when others are around anyway.
3. Work out. On your own or with a sport, but work out from day one and keep doing it. No excuses ever. Force yourself up in the morning during the week if you have to, but just do it from day one.
4. Avoid eating the crappy food and too much of it. Trust me, half the class will look a lot different from August to when May comes around. Do number 3 and 4 and you'll have enough energy to study and party. Don't do 3 and 4 and you'll be busting out of your clothes by January and too lazy to party and study. You'll just party and end up stressed out and less happy.
5. Unless you don't plan on drinking, feel free to have some fun and drink. Just don't do it 4 times a week as a freshman. Save that for Junior Senior years when you've figured out how to manage your time, etc.
6. For me, I'd drink hard at first, and then tapper off and drink water.... had a lot of fun, got drunk, but could still wake up and function the next day. No sense in drinking the last few before you go to bed - the only thing you'll get from the last couple is a major hang over.
7. Have fun. Hard not to.
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Not fond of the "skip class" concept.
Tuition is $32k. Even with 18 credits per semester, each class hour cost you $55-65. Wanna blow $55? Skip class.
For me, that always motivated me to get to class. Get your moneys worth.
-- Indeed, while I'll tell my sons they need to maintain good grades, I made a mistake by NOT drinking Freshman, and most of Sophomore year.
The other tid-bit is that .. I recall a friend who used to get sick-drunk every weekend. Stupid. The hard limit is that you are one sip away from being sick. Taking that last gulp might seem like a good idea .. but it makes your enjoyment level plummet.
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And if you have a significant other that is still going to be in high school this upcoming school year? You have about four more days to break it off.
Both of you will thank me for this advice...
+1
Ugh.
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Live it up and crush as much P as you can. As a young man a year removed from The Good Land, life is dramatically different. Stay out late, make bad choices, and go hard.
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Live it up and crush as much P as you can. As a young man a year removed from The Good Land, life is dramatically different. Stay out late, make bad choices, and go hard.
I hope you have 4 daughters. I'll send my sons after them.
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Don't jaywalk. Especially if you **might** be carrying anything slightly illegal.
Take a walk to the lake in a snowstorm, just so you can say you did.
Contrary to some prior comments, go to class even if you don't have to!
Switch majors (but only once).
Do everything! It may be your one and only chance for some of the sh1t. You'll regret very little, if anything.
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Well I am only 23 so I am childless. But I did have a sister that I went to MU with and there was no way I would let any guy like myself around her at a bar. I mean lets be realistic, when college dudes go out to the bars they are looking for girls and to get drunk. So ringout tell your sons good luck and may the best man win.
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Switch majors (but only once).
I'd be VERY hesitant to follow this advice, especially if you are an Engineer, unless you're willing to stay in school for a couple extra semesters depending on how late in your career you decide to change. Not many of the "basic" engineering courses match up between different disciplines, causing you to almost start from scratch.
Obviously doing something that makes you happy is priority number one, but I would never suggest you switch majors unless you really think it needs to happen.
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I'd be VERY hesitant to follow this advice, especially if you are an Engineer, unless you're willing to stay in school for a couple extra semesters depending on how late in your career you decide to change. Not many of the "basic" engineering courses match up between different disciplines, causing you to almost start from scratch.
Obviously doing something that makes you happy is priority number one, but I would never suggest you switch majors unless you really think it needs to happen.
I had a friend at MU who's advisor told him that if he switched majors, he didn't have to go to class that day. He changed his major 3 times that week. Never did graduate either...
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keep an eye out at the rec center for intramural refereeing jobs (basketball) when I was at MU
we were supervisors by sophomore year and it is super fun / easy!
good way to make some dough and meet some new people.
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I'd be VERY hesitant to follow this advice, especially if you are an Engineer, unless you're willing to stay in school for a couple extra semesters depending on how late in your career you decide to change. Not many of the "basic" engineering courses match up between different disciplines, causing you to almost start from scratch.
Obviously doing something that makes you happy is priority number one, but I would never suggest you switch majors unless you really think it needs to happen.
It was semi-tongue in cheek - - but based on first hand experience it can be done. I did start out in Engineering, recognized that it wasn't for me 1st semester Sophomore year and managed to graduate in 4 years with a BS BA. Required some careful course management, but it did fit in much better with the full college experience (i.e., drinking and playing hoops!) for me. 100% agree that what "makes you happy is priority number one", you just need to find out early enough to make it happen.
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For your review:
http://thoughtcatalog.com/2011/how-to-be-a-freshman-in-college/
which then transitions into:
http://thoughtcatalog.com/2011/things-you%E2%80%99ll-miss-about-college/
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keep an eye out at the rec center for intramural refereeing jobs (basketball) when I was at MU
we were supervisors by sophomore year and it is super fun / easy!
good way to make some dough and meet some new people.
Haha, funny thing, I've already contacted the Rec Center about this specific position!! Hopefully I'll get hired as one of them.
You guys have been great!! If you have more keep em coming!!!
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I don't always like to give advice, so I'll just put down some lessons that I personally learned...they don't apply to everyone though for sure.
- Many of the best times I had in college were at the basketball games - I wish I went to each and every one
- Studying abroad in Ireland was a top 3 experience in my life - there is nothing quite like living in another culture
- I am glad I did not have a steady girlfriend my first few years of school, some people were caught up in long distance relationships or overly serious relationships that were very time consuming and missed out on a lot of fun and forming strong bonds with now lifelong friends
- I had some good friends drop out of school after their freshmen year because they could not keep a 3.0 and lost their scholarship
- First few weekends of house parties at MU were some of the most fun I have ever had
- I visited a bunch of other schools when I could - always a great time, especially during football season (one thing we miss out on at MU)
- Having two TVs, two Xboxes, and two copies of Halo in my junior year apartment with my roomate was awesome
- I grew to love the Oriental Theater
- I loved the Rave - saw so many shows there
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Tips? I was never able to employ this strategy myself, but...
1) Show up and move in early (or as soon as you can)
2) Hang around McCormick and/or Cobeen and keep your eyes peeled for the girls you'd like to meet
3) Help them move in... you're immediately the nice guy and they basically have to acknowledge you when you bump into them later. Instant conversation starter.
4) Do this every fall for as long as you as you can.
I've been told this works even better if you approach the parent(s) with offers to help as that reduces the creepy factor.
In all seriousness, my best friends 10+ years later are guys I met my first week on campus. ...so long as you do "stuff" (whatever that stuff might be), you'll be fine. Regarding study/grades/involvement, be sure to understand and achieve what's needed for opening whatever doors you want open come graduation time.
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I'm with TMreddevil.
+ See and experience Milwaukee. Marquette is to be conquered your first year. Then expand. Take the city trans if you must. Great for dates because you can have lots of time to talk. Okay, dates that go WELL.
+ See a movie at The Oriental. Classy. Still have to take my girlfriend (not from MU) there.
+ Get a job. Not your first semester, and probably not your second. That'd be the earliest I'd recommend. Work in the Pub or a food place on campus. It'll help feed your face while on the job. And maybe your close buddies' and a girl's you like, as well. I was a pub cook and tour guide. Got some tips while on tour. Twas nice!
+ Get along with your roommate. If not, start to find the one for your soph year.
+ Stay up late. Especially your first few weeks. Precious bonding time and seriously some of the most fun, memorable moments your first year.
+ Enjoy Milwaukee in all 4 seasons. As a California boy, I didn't get to stay over the course of a summer, but left during July after I graduated. Milwaukee, like its citizens, really come alive spring and well into summer.
+ Choose the right cafeteria plan. Adjust it AS SOON as you notice you don't need that many meals. Don't waste the $.
+ Rush. I kinda wish I did just for the experience.
+ Don't skip Frosh Orientation events.
+ Don't be a "shut in": dude that just stays in and plays games or sits in front of a computer.
+ Go on a hay ride.
+ Never join bible study for a girl or girls. N-E-V-E-R.
+ Do pranks on your roommate, floor mates, and hall mates. Topics of conversation for your four years.
+ Report back to us about your experiences! :D (living vicariously...it never gets old. we just do)
My freshman year roommate and my soph year roommate became my junior and senior year roommates.
We remain good friends. And I met the latter through the former.
And the last bit of advice. My soph year roommate had a roommate his frosh year - the guy transferred out after his 1st semester - who didn't lock the door and was abusing his weenis. Not cool. Not cool at all.
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+ Don't go home every weekend. A guy I knew from high school (in MN) .. his dad had a job near MU and DROVE HOME TO MINNESOTA almost every weekend, increasing his social outcast status.
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Won't repeat the awesome suggestions above. A few more...
~Learn how to do laundry
~Get a US Bank acct (they are still in the union right?), avoid those stupid ATM fees
~Bring hair clippers with you, learn how to use them, and charge guys on your $5 (or beers) for some extra cash
~Make friends with the guy who has a car, don't bring your car
~MU still do block meal plans? If so, track how many, don't want to run out in early December
~If you want to socialize, study in the union, if you wanna get crap done, hunker down in the library
~Get to your first class on the first day early so you can choose your seat, most likely going to be your seat for the semester
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Not fond of the "skip class" concept.
Tuition is $32k. Even with 18 credits per semester, each class hour cost you $55-65. Wanna blow $55? Skip class.
For me, that always motivated me to get to class. Get your moneys worth.
I disagree - it depends on the kid and the class. By your logic, if you were to order an amazing steak dinner and it came with a small side of some crap you didn't like, you'd gobble up the side of crap because you 'paid for it'. Should kids show up hours early for a big game against Savannah St. (no offense, Savannah St.), and stand loud and proud until after the final buzzer sounds? Of course!, says your logic.
It depends on how you learn, how the class is taught, etc.
Other thoughts... hmm...
+ Find good meals (economical, tasty, filling, or otherwise 'good') - make sure to keep trying out places and find some meals that are great for you... Grebe's, before they fricken closed the one on campus, had some great lunch deals... probably because I was at Campus Town, but, we started getting the chicken strip basket at DQ all the time. It was incredible. However, I've tried them a few times over the past couple of years and they are absolute a$$. Not sure if DQ has changed or I have. But, it was good at the time.
+ Live with a handful of other people at a Campus Town type spot. Not saying Campus Town necessarily, as I was there in its 2nd or 3rd year and we beat that place up plenty good - it's gotta be hurting a bit by now - but, a place with 3, 4, 5 or so other roommates is an interesting experience. Definitely not all good, but fun and interesting. Also, in some setups you have certain other apartments in the same complex that you may become very good friends with.. it's as if you have a few different 'homes'.
+ Get out around the town some. Utilize the bus. Go to concerts.
+ If you're not Catholic, convert quickly you effin sinner.
+ Get a job - not your first semester, but at some point.
+ Find the health services place. I went there a number of times for strep throat over the years. They were very helpful. ZFB said they are very understanding too... whereas most people would have asked him, "come on dude, how can you keep accidentally sitting on the remote every weekend?!", they just helped him with his recurring issue and sent him on his way.
+ Get an internship if it makes sense in your major. This goes back to the, 'don't get some dumb liberal arts major' comment.. but, many people find employment (at least they did in my day) a year or more prior to completing college. Makes your final semesters quite a bit more relaxing and some of the experience you can get is incredible.
+ Use school funds for your selfish interests. Bring concerts to campus. Varsity show with Common, Boogiemonsters, Beatnuts, Prince Poetry, etc was fresh.
+ Find a dump partner(s). In the dorms, if you've got a buddy or two that likes to sh1t, give a heads up to them when you're about to head into a stall. If there are a couple of you dumping in adjacent stalls, the experience is greatly enhanced. Whoever has the best sounds and smells wins.
+ Don't go greek. It's geigh. Casually dating a greek chick is a good idea, though. You go to one of their functions and you have an in with a lot of those chicks.
+ Watch your back. Nothing to freak out about at all and I'm not saying this because it's MU, but just be defensive-minded especially when walking around alone or late at night.
+ Sleep when you're dead. Late night talks with your pals or even a chick before you-know-what are great. Especially your first two years in the dorms.. this goes hand-in-hand with not having super early classes.
+ Meet people early on - definitely get into your dorm very early if you can. Walk around, be in the lobby, help people with their move into the building (hot chicks or big guys mostly).
+ Be honest with chicks. They will get over you 'saying hi' to all their friends if you're up front about it. Truthful creep > lying creep.
+ In your dorm, if you're on the floor, leave your door open unless you're spanking it or sleeping.
+ Workout. If you hate weightlifting, at least play some basketball.
+ Keep a roll of Bounce or other fabric softener in your dorm room.
+ Stay humble and be respectful of your elders. You'll be convinced that your analytical skills are superior and your intellect is impressive by Thanksgiving break, but remember you're just a kid. It's fine to have strong opinions and thoughts on things - and it's healthy to debate with your peers 24/7 - but if it's the best opinions and true facts that you desire, just stop by the Scoop as there are many grown ups who can provide those.
+ Freshman year - absolutely run things in your studies. The stuff is very easy, no reason to not be in 3.7-4.0 range. It makes the rest of the years so much more enjoyable, not to mention that you may be able to earn additional scholarships and it will help in your job seeking endeavors.
+ Overall: work hard, play hard.
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Open doors create open floors.
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Yea, everything has pretty much been covered. The only advice I would third is do not date someone from back home or from a different school your freshman year. I repeat DO NOT. I don't care if you end up marrying the chick it will forever alter your college experience. Trust me I was the dunce that didn't follow this advice and paid dearly for it.
Along those lines, if your roommate has a girlfriend that's not at Marquette, run. You are in for a whole bunch of awkward phone convos, stupid fights, and solo nights.
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^^ Don't listen to old farts who tell you not to listen to old farts.
lol...but really what has changed in college over the decades: Need for liquor, need to bird dog chicks, hoops fever and to some how attend class just to keep the grades up and the P's money flowing. The base Hierarchy of Needs remain unchanged.
Just had a big reunion, here is what I wish I did back in the day or what has changed for the better.
- Back in the day, the MU campus was it. Downtown was dead and closing. Most bars were working class and "college kids" were not welcome. It was interesting at reunion for those not back in a while to see downtown: "Wow, Milwaukee has changed. I would actually enjoy Milwaukee for college now-a-days. What a difference"
- Parents are cool. Most of us went to college and know the drill unlike our parents. More so, if the P's are up, you can drink in Milwaukee if underage. More so, they pay for the pre-party for you and your buddies
- For the first time, more Illinois than WI students attend MU. The commuters go to UWM now vs. BITD. UWM is a much better and bigger school which makes the whole East Side and downtown younger. Explore these areas, the Cream City is a lot more vibrant..
- Study abroad was not a real option BITD. In my day there was a space in abroad, but you can do both today
Here are some still true tips: Drink Lite beer if a marathon, Oyster Cracker Wars, Close Wolski's, a SOB, Milwaukee in the summers for the fests. Enjoy, it goes fast but the stories and friendships last forever.
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Almost forgot, start cracker fights with randoms at 3am at Chili. Just don't throw hand full's until you're done eating because they will toss you.
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I disagree - it depends on the kid and the class. By your logic, if you were to order an amazing steak dinner and it came with a small side of some crap you didn't like, you'd gobble up the side of crap because you 'paid for it'. Should kids show up hours early for a big game against Savannah St. (no offense, Savannah St.), and stand loud and proud until after the final buzzer sounds? Of course!, says your logic.
It depends on how you learn, how the class is taught, etc.
Other thoughts... hmm...
+ Find good meals (economical, tasty, filling, or otherwise 'good') - make sure to keep trying out places and find some meals that are great for you... Grebe's, before they fricken closed the one on campus, had some great lunch deals... probably because I was at Campus Town, but, we started getting the chicken strip basket at DQ all the time. It was incredible. However, I've tried them a few times over the past couple of years and they are absolute a$$. Not sure if DQ has changed or I have. But, it was good at the time.
+ Live with a handful of other people at a Campus Town type spot. Not saying Campus Town necessarily, as I was there in its 2nd or 3rd year and we beat that place up plenty good - it's gotta be hurting a bit by now - but, a place with 3, 4, 5 or so other roommates is an interesting experience. Definitely not all good, but fun and interesting. Also, in some setups you have certain other apartments in the same complex that you may become very good friends with.. it's as if you have a few different 'homes'.
+ Get out around the town some. Utilize the bus. Go to concerts.
+ If you're not Catholic, convert quickly you effin sinner.
+ Get a job - not your first semester, but at some point.
+ Find the health services place. I went there a number of times for strep throat over the years. They were very helpful. ZFB said they are very understanding too... whereas most people would have asked him, "come on dude, how can you keep accidentally sitting on the remote every weekend?!", they just helped him with his recurring issue and sent him on his way.
+ Get an internship if it makes sense in your major. This goes back to the, 'don't get some dumb liberal arts major' comment.. but, many people find employment (at least they did in my day) a year or more prior to completing college. Makes your final semesters quite a bit more relaxing and some of the experience you can get is incredible.
+ Use school funds for your selfish interests. Bring concerts to campus. Varsity show with Common, Boogiemonsters, Beatnuts, Prince Poetry, etc was fresh.
+ Find a dump partner(s). In the dorms, if you've got a buddy or two that likes to sh1t, give a heads up to them when you're about to head into a stall. If there are a couple of you dumping in adjacent stalls, the experience is greatly enhanced. Whoever has the best sounds and smells wins.
+ Don't go greek. It's geigh. Casually dating a greek chick is a good idea, though. You go to one of their functions and you have an in with a lot of those chicks.
+ Watch your back. Nothing to freak out about at all and I'm not saying this because it's MU, but just be defensive-minded especially when walking around alone or late at night.
+ Sleep when you're dead. Late night talks with your pals or even a chick before you-know-what are great. Especially your first two years in the dorms.. this goes hand-in-hand with not having super early classes.
+ Meet people early on - definitely get into your dorm very early if you can. Walk around, be in the lobby, help people with their move into the building (hot chicks or big guys mostly).
+ Be honest with chicks. They will get over you 'saying hi' to all their friends if you're up front about it. Truthful creep > lying creep.
+ In your dorm, if you're on the floor, leave your door open unless you're spanking it or sleeping.
+ Workout. If you hate weightlifting, at least play some basketball.
+ Keep a roll of Bounce or other fabric softener in your dorm room.
+ Stay humble and be respectful of your elders. You'll be convinced that your analytical skills are superior and your intellect is impressive by Thanksgiving break, but remember you're just a kid. It's fine to have strong opinions and thoughts on things - and it's healthy to debate with your peers 24/7 - but if it's the best opinions and true facts that you desire, just stop by the Scoop as there are many grown ups who can provide those.
+ Freshman year - absolutely run things in your studies. The stuff is very easy, no reason to not be in 3.7-4.0 range. It makes the rest of the years so much more enjoyable, not to mention that you may be able to earn additional scholarships and it will help in your job seeking endeavors.
+ Overall: work hard, play hard.
that's the second time you've referenced your male scat fetish in this thread. we get it.
The only time I ever went to the campus health place was after I dropped a full keg on my foot and it popped a few weeks later. They were closed. had to turn around and walk to Sinai. that sucked.
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Forgot:
+ If you can, plan your schedule so that you can have M/W, Tu/Th classes. Long days, but man, those 3 day weekends are KILLER! :) It can also help you with your job, if you have one.
+ Meet with your counselor early and often. It will save you time in your junior and senior years.
+ Make a road map of your 4 years. Plan out your pre-reqs, classes for your major, etc. It will give you an even more sense of purpose.
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I think an important and possibly useful specific tidbit that has been brought up is the issue of whether or not to pledge a frat. In full disclosure, I graduated relatively recently and did not belong to a frat.
But trying to be objective, there are pros and cons like to anything else. Its just important to note that frats at MU are not like frats at big public schools, or other places where greek life is instrumental in the social character of a school. Greek life at MU is not set up to be like greek life at a Big 10 school, etc, and is nowhere near as defining or an all-encompassing part of your life as it would be at other places. There are good and bad things about that, which you can look into and judge yourself. But I think its important to recognize that MU's greek culture is much different than what many freshman might have in mind/perceive Greek life to be based on prior knowledge.
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With less than five minutes of your time-- and a single posting-- you have over 70 responses and advice gleaned from all those who have learned this the harder way --by their experience. You have a huge leg up already(especially on old farts like me who never had these resources-lol)-- you know how to draw on others, and rapidly gather extensive data, with little time or effort. This is a wonderful skill...you will do well.
Likely you have sorted the advice, and decided which works well for you and which may not. Dont worry if you'll make the wrong choices--trying lots of things is what this time is all about...just be ready to quickly respond and go another way when something goes bad. Learning yourself, your talents, and your weaknesses is huge. Having no fear of thinking or acting differently than others-- if you are happy with it, is a big maturing step..dare to be different, get comfortable in your own skin.
If something comes easily for you, and harder for others...its likely a talent. If you cant seem to crack something, and those around you mostly have-- thats a limit of yours. Learn as much as you can to push your limits..they may be vital skills you'll need in any job....and fly as far as you can in the areas of your talent-- thats where the world stands ready to reward you-- for what you are particularly good at.
College is the first step of no longer spoon feeding learning, and its goal is to teach you, how to teach yourself in independent learning, which you'll pursue for the rest of your life...you'll have to put in the work and time all yourself...but the real skill is learning how to how to best get your mind to absorb and teach itself. Never lose or doubt your curiousity--- if you wonder about something--go find the answer. Question, and never automatically accept the opinions, and thoughts of others...and re-process your prior views when you learn something new...learning is always fluid.
Many of the very most important matters you learn in school have zero to do with the books or library. BB games, Social life, travel, love, women, laughter, drinking, fun and friendships are also huge---stay off excessive internet and gameboy use, unless there is purpose to your time---or you just need it to zone out a bit, or to relax....and get out of your room to suck all you can find of life and your surroundings. Talk to anyone, smile at everyone, and ...have as much fun as you can. Dont prejudge from whom you may best learn from...some of my best life lessons were from the father of the family I lived with, while on MU's program at University of Madrid-- told to me in spanish---go figure. Every person you meet and interact with adds something to your life-- if you remain open to it.
You will do very well...that part is easy...its when something doesnt goes so well when you're truly tested, and your lesson and response to the harder experiences gives you true growth.
Finally, please feel perfectly free to ignore very word here --its your life and your path you're beginning to map---just have a blast doing it, and enjoy!
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In no particular order.
1. Meet as many chicks the first few weeks of school. It will pay off. But don't even think about dating any of them. You'll regret it, trust me.
2. Try and schedule classes so that you have Friday's off. My favorite semesters were ones with no Friday classes.
3. Get your hw and studying done before dinner. There is plenty of time throughout the day and none of your drinking or social time will have to be wasted.
4. Go to as many basketball games as possible. I've never really sat in the lower deck as me and my friends got there just as the game was starting bc we were heavily pregaming. But I'm sure lower level is just as much fun. ALso, make friends with older students so that you are invited to kegs and eggs parties for day games.
5. Rub elbows with fellow marquette students and alums at Buck Bradleys following games. I met some of the coolest alumni ever and shared some crazy insane stories at that bar.
6. Workout at least a few times a week ! You don't want to be the kid that comes home at Christmas that no one recognizes. You'll thank many of us later for this trust me.
7. Service. I was a big partier in college but some of my closest friends to this day I met through community service events.
8. Close Wolsi's, real chili, and every other bar on campus, water st., eastside, and third ward.
9. Participate in every st. patty's day celebration and spring break even if you don't have the money. It will be well worth it.
10. Get good grades, talk with your professors, get an internship(s), and you'll be well on your way when you graduate. Don't burn any bridges (including other students). You never know who will be able to help get you a job when you graduate.
11. Visit all the breweries, summerfest, Lake michigan, the rave, and APC especially.
12. Learn how to do Laundry and shower on the reg. Girls don't like guys that wear dirty clothes, stink, and look like sasquatch. If you can followe this one then you'll be light years ahead of 90% of the other guys. The girls will flock toy uoa nd take advantage of that.
13. Have fun, wrap it up, don't give too much money to the bums, and be proud to be a student of Marquette.
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Buy an N64, 4 controllers and Bond and Mario Kart on eBay, open your door = instant friends.
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+ If you're 21 before you graduate, do the Miller Brewery tour for cheap buzzes and free beer. Just make sure you have a dry friend as a designated driver.
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+ If you're 21 before you graduate, do the Miller Brewery tour for cheap buzzes and free beer. Just make sure you have a dry friend as a designated driver.
Suggesting this makes you old.
There are far better brewery tours in the city... where you can get druuuuuuuuuuuunk.
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Suggesting this makes you old.
There are far better brewery tours in the city... where you can get druuuuuuuuuuuunk.
Yep, Miller sucks. Find the best way to get to Milwaukee Brewing Company and be there every weekend.
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College is amazing, just try to enjoy every moment of it. It's gone before you know it.
- 1st semester freshman year meet as many people as possible. This time is all about house parties. You will wander around with other large groups of freshman and pay some upper class-men $5 to drink in their crapty basement. You may get screwed (keg kicking right after you pay), or it may be an amazing night. Make a ton of friends, and start thinking about who you want to live with sophomore year.
- 2nd semester freshman year start to make a few really close friends. A few of the guys I became really close with 2nd semester freshmen year are my best friends to this day, and were all in my wedding. It can not be said enough, develop really good week-day study habits. You do not want to be the guy staying in Saturday night to finish that paper, you will miss on so many stories and great experiences just by missing one weekend of roaming campus. By this time you will have figured out a way to buy alcohol underage. Someone earlier mentioned Kampus foods. I can tell you that they IDed me every time I was on campus, even throughout my senior year. By far your best bet is Westtown Market near Straz Tower, I swear half their business was from under-agers my sophomore year. If you have an awesome RA like I did, you will be able to drink in the dorms no problem. My RA once caught me chugging from a bottle of Captain (don't ask), and just rolled his eyes and walked off. But house parties will still be the main things on weekends. By now you will have your go-to locations, and the appropriate nicknames for each. (the graffiti house, the basement on 15th & state, etc). Oh, almost forgot. If you are into sports, GET OUTSIDE AND PLAY SNOW FOOTBALL. I cannot begin to tell you how much fun we had freshman year playing tackle football in the snow.
- Sophomore year house parties start to get a little old. Although they had their fun, you start to lose interest in paying some random dude to drink in his dirty/crapty basement. Parties start to gravitate towards apartments or houses of upperclassmen you actually know. Meet some upperclassmen and become friends, it will pay off.
- Junior year is when most people will be turning 21. So get ready for a lot of b-day parties weekends. And if you turn 21, start getting acclimated to the bars. You will spend basically all of junior year at the campus bars, Caffs & Murphs. In my experience, caffs was generally the better time, while murphs was where you went at 1:30 to find a drunk chick. We always joked that you needed to try to NOT get laid at murphs after 1:30. Back then we had another campus bar, but it sadly closed down. By this time you will be out of the dorms. I would personally recommend not to hold parties at your place, crap always seemed to get broken/stolen.
- Senior year is the last hurrah. Go out, explore the city. Start to leave the campus bars behind and get downtown. 3rd ward, water street, brady street, Sugar Maple & Romans south on water, Stubby's Pub & Grub, Milwaukee Ale house. Go do brewery tours. Lakefront brewery and Milwaukee brewing give great one's. Go try new restaurants, Milwaukee has some great hidden gems. Get to know the city outside of campus, its a really neat place between 3rd and the lake. Start bringing home girls from downtown. Trust me, it will make your roommates jealous. Marquette is a pretty poor school for good-looking women. Much better can be found downtown. Some of the best times can be had bar-hopping downtown and meeting random people. Just get out and explore. One of my favorite memories is just wandering around the city around bar close while its lightly snowing.
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Find a way to scrounge up the cash for regular season tickets your senior year. You will be several rows ahead of most of your classmates,
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Find a way to scrounge up the cash for regular season tickets your senior year. You will be several rows ahead of most of your classmates,
Full disclosure for this response: I live out of state and have a very limited understanding of how season tickets work at Marquette.
That said, I disagree with this post. Sit with the students. Please. Sit with the students and help make it a great student section and a difficult place to play. You'll have a lifetime to buy regular season tickets and sit in those seats, but your senior year will be your last chance to be part of the student section.
If getting ahead of your classmates in the alumni season ticket pool is that important, could he just scrounge up the cash, put it in the bank earning interest, and then make a cash contribution to the B&G fund the following year (in addition to buying his tickets)? Would that help him move ahead of others?
I have such great memories of sitting in the student section when I was at Marquette, I can't imagine trading a full season of those memories to sit several rows closer then my classmates in the future. If I've misunderstood the original post, my apologies.
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Find a way to scrounge up the cash for regular season tickets your senior year. You will be several rows ahead of most of your classmates,
Or just find an extra $50 a year and join the 6th Man Fund.
http://www.gomarquette.com/sports/blue-gold/6thmanfund.html
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Or just find an extra $50 a year and join the 6th Man Fund.
http://www.gomarquette.com/sports/blue-gold/6thmanfund.html
I still think this idea is f-ing bullcrap!
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I still think this idea is f-ing bullcrap!
Not disagreeing with you, but it is a middle ground between "get a jumpstart on season tickets senior year" and "always have student tickets."
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Suggesting this makes you old.
There are far better brewery tours in the city... where you can get druuuuuuuuuuuunk.
I'm not OLD...just not a resident of Milwaukee. Yay areaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. ;)
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11. Visit all the breweries, summerfest, Lake michigan, the rave, and APC especially.
Great Art's Performance Center Reference!