1. GET to know your hall mates: Everyone in the dorms is anxious and excited to meet new people. Take this wonderful opportunity the first few weeks of college to really invest time in getting to know the people who live near you. At first, it may not seem like you have a lot in common with them, but it will surprise you how much you truly do. Everyone comes to college with fears, hopes, and expectations. Start learning more about OU and more about yourself through relationships with people going through the same things as you! Whether that is learning everyone has an embarrassing move-in story, first day of classes story, or maybe just embarrassing moments on a daily basis!
2. GET a planner and use it: Once you get all your syllabi, it will look like a mountain of deadlines, papers, and exams. If you mark important dates for each class on one calendar, you will see which hectic weeks you need to plan for. Personally, I like to highlight the days I have something important so I can easily see which weeks my deadlines fall. For the super organized people, highlighting in different colors for different classes is even better! Hint: professors seem to schedule all their tests and papers on similar weeks, oddly enough. Enjoy your “light week” because usually the next week you are crammed with academics. Working ahead is always good too! 🙂
3. GET involved early: It may sound cliché, but OU truly has so many opportunities for students to get involved. I highly recommend Campus Activities Council. In charge of Homecoming, Dad’s Day, Mom’s Day, University Sing, Scandals, Howdy Week, Winter Welcome Week, Dance Marathon… the list goes on and on! I am actually the Social Media Chair of the Public Relations Executive Committee for CAC. Not only do I get to experience each event CAC hosts, but I also get to promote them! Get involved by serving on an executive committee and take up a leadership role OR serve on CAC Crew and volunteer for your favorite event!
4. GET creative: Let’s face it, dorms are small. Homesickness will eventually strike all freshmen, so help make your room your HOME. Come to college with some creative juices flowing; you will want to decorate your walls and desk with fun frames, pictures, and decorations. Don’t stress, as you get to know your hall mates, (GET #1) you will soon bounce ideas of each other on how to improve the classic dorm room.
5. GET grounded: No, I don’t mean the kind where your parents make you stay home. I mean figure out your beliefs and be grounded in them. Stand for something. As college freshmen, you will be pushed and pulled each and every way. Come to college with your own personal belief system and know what it is important to YOU. Remember that not everyone will have the same faith, morals, or background as you, and that’s okay. Learn from the differences and challenge yourself to give others reasons why you believe the things you do. Make your beliefs your own, not your parents. Get grounded.

There you have it, my “GET” advice for your first few months of freshman year! Oh yeah, did I mention you will love it?!