Some stuff I didn't know that I should have known about U of A: Transitioning to college with style.
This is a handy dandy checklist for you incoming freshman, who've worked so hard during your high school years. Yes, THIS life is the path you have chosen...mwahaha. The below is meant to be in good jest, with some touch of truth.
Tough Love: Tucson's Rustic Charms
When arriving in Tucson, remember that old adage: Never judge a book by its cover. Sure, it may look really depressing, especially to us Phoenician esnobs. You may also be taken aback by the seemingly lack of things to do. However, take a moment to look around. Tucson is not as dead as it may seem. Check out the starry nights. Wake up to the construction, jack-hammers, and airplanes every morning at 6am. Visit the Subway/Los Betos/Texaco/Wilber's Underground for your after 9-pm fun. Meet the bums on University. Hang with the hippies on 4th Ave. If you have a car, maybe you can go catch a movie, or the Rocky Horror Picture show. And maybe there are frat parties too that I never find out about.
Too much crap, too little space: The Art of Moving In
Although you may think you need to bring in a bomb-shelter's worth of supplies, you may end up with a bunch of crap you never end up using. If you live within 2 hours of your home, you can and WILL bring more stuff continuously. A lot of supplies you can find in Tucson; it is not as uncivilised a town as you may think. But feel free to overpack, as I did, and learn from that.
Help! There's some dude named Jepepe in my room!: Introducing The Roommate
Face it, you're going to be spending 9 months of your life with some stranger in this box generously called a "room." If you room with a friend, you may wish them to be a stranger by the end. I luckily, did not have too defective a roommate (Kudos to Vivi!=P). Respect and open communication are key. Speak up. You never fully realize how many things piss you off until you live with someone else. And finally, if your roommate happens to be your friend, and you want to stay friends, get out. See other people. Often.
Help! Jepepe's outta control!: Getting your Own Room
Vivi's department. Her main goal is to get her own room. She has not succeeded yet, and I'm not letting her. :) Be creative, keep it simple, and know thy roommate. Try to stay on the right side of the law. Happy Ousting!
Do you still have high aspirations? : A New Attitude towards Class
Trust me, 8am classes are freaking early. We know you're freshmen when you think 8am is decent. And attendance is hardly monitored, depending. So it's easier than ever to cut class, be an impostor, and shirk your duties. Learn to use this system with care, and to your full advantage. It can mean the difference between just a sweet day off to bombing a class.
Concerning professors and authority
I hate ass kissing students. Unfortunately, you may need to do it to advance your education. Of course, there are some wonderful professors in which butt-kissing isn't necessary. And if you love foreign accents, take a math class. =P
Sex, Drugs, and "Rock N Roll": Illegality and Immorality
Honors Students Gone Wild! It happens to some. College is abound with the basic pleasures of life. You decide how far you will participate in the festivities.
How YOU doin'?: Meeting the General Populace, and Landing a Hot Date
Let me say that UA has a very attractive student body. Caveat: Intelligence may not be included in all cases. As for hot dates, find em from May to October. Or you can microwave em, and eat. Fruity. As for the other kind of date, I'm not really the one to ask :)
Freshman 15: Eating in College
Eating is an activity to stave off boredom, deal with frustration, and bond with fellow dormmates. You'll likely be too busy/lazy to cook and eat healthy. Plus, eating out is a popular activity, since there's nothing else to do in Tucson. Snacks in your room will vanish, and your Costco pack of Ramen will disapparate. This isn't magic, it's the college appetite.
Working-out: Not just for Meat-heads Anymore
So now that you've welcomed the hypothetical freshman 15 into your temple of a body, you may eventually feel like your guest may have overstayed its welcome. This feeling motivates many students, who may have never worked out in their lives (yours truly) to darken the doorway of the Rec Center, or form a Blast-the-Fat running club with your buddies. And from personal experience, when you go jogging, people notice and admire your sportiness, even if you only intend on pooping out seconds later.
That's all for now, and really, there is so much more to the wonderful world of UA that you will discover for yourselves. It's really an--interesting--place to be. Don't forget to bring shower sandals, and you're ready to go! Welcome, Wildcat.