Dear Class of 2017,

Welcome to DU.

Welcome to the best four years of your life. You might feel lost, overwhelmed even, by the immense amount of freedom and fun that you have just recently stepped into. But take some of (or all of) our advice below and you will have an easier time transitioning into life as a college freshman.

A freshman’s guide to all things DU:

1. Sturm is a maze. Even for seniors. So don’t worry if you get lost.

2. Anderson Academic Commons is a watering hole. It’s the “place to be” when you need to be social but don’t want to go out.

3. Hockey is our equivalent of football. So if you don’t like hockey, you probably should start (or at least pretend to).

4. When people recommend a professor, take their advice!

5. The Mass Comm building IS a 20 minute walk from Halls, so get ready for some exercise.

6. Enjoy your days of multiple meal swipes and free food while you can.After freshman year you will realize you have to prioritize your budget and your diet will start to consist of ramen noodles or pasta.

7. Run/walk/bike to Wash Park; it’s close by and fun to go with friends.

8. Spring quarter is always the best, so start getting excited now. Spring Quarter is known for having the best weather, May Days which is DU’s version of a week long carnival.

9. Decide what you classes you like and what interests you so you can pick a major.

10. There are multiple organizations and clubs on campus; it is worth your while to at least try a few before you graduate.

11. Manage your time. No one is going to be here to tell you when to get up or do your homework or make it to class.

12. We might not have a mascot, but we have a lot of school spirit.

13. When you take the light rail, it’s the E,F,H trains that take you downtown.

14. Registration gets better as you get older; it is just part of being a freshmen.

15. You are bound to take an 8 a.m. at least once, so make sure it is one that is interesting.

15 ways to not act like a freshman

1. Don’t wear your new lanyard around your neck everywhere you go.

2. Avoid heading to parties in groups of 15 or more (you only attract more attention to yourself)

3. Avoid complaining about how hard your FSEM is; just wait until you have to take Media Law or Accounting.

4. Don’t go to the bars. It’s illegal and upperclassmen don’t want you there.

5. Don’t forget to do your laundry or you will be known as “that kid that smells.”

6. Retire any of your old high school apparel and memorabilia. You are a Pioneer now.

7. Avoid going to detox.

8. Avoid walking to class with multiple groups of people. You will crowd the hallways.

9. Don’t brag about how many snacks you bought at the C-store with your flex dollars.

10. Don’t be the kid who asks all the questions in a class with upperclassmen, go to office hours instead.

11. Don’t pretend like you know someone at an upperclassman party.

12. Don’t complain about the walk from Towers and Halls to Sturm.

13. Even when you are lost, pretend like you know where you are going.

14. Just because it is an all-you-can-eat dining hall doesn’t mean you should.

15. Don’t hit on every girl who looks like a freshman. She’s probably not.