A Freshman’s Survival Guide: MSU Edition.
Your first day of college as a freshman is an exciting thing. It’s a whole new school with all new people and endless opportunities. While your first day of school is exciting it also can be a bit anxiety inducing considering you’re going to a giant campus you’ve never been to before, praying you don’t get lost, facing “scary” college professors, and everything else your freshman brain can imagine to worry about. Have no fear, I’m here to let you know everything you need to know about coming to college: McNeese State University Edition.
1. Noah, get that ark ready.
Ah the beautiful McNeese State University. Totally beautiful in every way. That is until it rains, because when it rains, it pours. Trust me when I say check the forecast everyday, if there is the slightest chance of rain wear shoes you don’t mind getting completely soaked. Or heck, don’t wear shoes at all, you will probably be better off that way. It doesn’t matter if it’s a 5 second sprinkle or a 5 hour down pour the sidewalks and ESPECIALLY the road connecting the parking garage to campus is going to become McNeese’s newest swimming pool. So throw on your raincoats, pack your umbrellas, and put on your jandals and your chacos because Poke fans you’re about to get soaked.
2. Kirkman Hall, Hell or Antarctica?
Kirkman Hall, the place of all things chemistry and math. Also the place of all things hot or freezing cold. I learned this the hard way when I had an 8AM chemistry class that I walked into every morning and instantly began sweating the second I sat down because it was so dang hot in the building, and then when I would come back at 2PM for my math class I would nearly freeze to death. I don’t know if they just refrain from using the AC at night or if the upstairs is just Satan’s lounge, but either way if you have a class upstairs before noon I would suggest wearing a color that doesn’t show sweat because I guarantee you, it will be hot as hell no matter what season it is.
3. Packing List: Hiking Boots
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be in the Hunger Games, just try to park on campus the first two weeks of school. You literally drive around the parking garage for 30 minutes praying a rosary in hopes someone will decide to leave just as you are pulling up because if you aren’t in exact position to pull into that spot, by the time you are someone else will already have parked there. My theory is that at the beginning of the Fall semester freshman are so eager to get to campus that they all arrive at EIGHT AM FOR NO REASON or that spots haven’t opened up because enough freshman haven’t failed out yet. Both savage explanations, but both true.
4. Get Involved or Get Going
Now this might be a little extreme but it’s true. McNeese is a commuter based campus so making friends isn’t as easy if you went to a college like LA Tech or UL. If you walk into a class and try to strike up a conversation with the person sitting next to you, they are going to look at you like you’re insane. Trust me, I made that mistake the first day of college, never talked to another rando again. So the best way to make friends is to get involved on campus. My involvement of choice is Greek Life, which is the easiest and best way to make life long friends (in my opinion at least), but there are also organizations for every religious affiliation, every major, and just about any other activity you may be interested in. Find what bests interests you and go for it. McNeese is only as fun as you make it, and if you put in the effort and follow these simple four steps you will survive, or at least not totally fail.
