Freshman Tips and Tricks

Spring semester of 2012 is wrapping up. Finals are right around the corner, seniors are preparing for graduation, and current freshmen are excited to finally move up from the bottom of the food chain. 

Throughout my first year here at NAU, I’ve learned a few things that I’d like to pass on to you future freshmen who are so excited to come here. If you have any additional questions, email them to me at northernazcollegelife@gmail.com or comment. 🙂

1) Try to get along with your roommate. It makes things so much easier. 

2) Along with number 1, don’t talk crap about your roommate behind his/her back. It just gives you more reason to dislike them and creates more complications. Besides, it’s just wrong and it’s annoying for those passers-by who get to hear all about how your roommate likes to walk around naked in the middle of the night. 

3) Transfers are not only used for the Hotspot. Many restaurants around campus use transfers. Look out for signs stating exactly what you can get as a transfer.

4) Get involved…meet people who are interested in the same things as you!

5) Your RA is going to try to plan activities to get you to meet people on your floor and in your building. Get involved in those. I regret never getting to know anyone on my floor.

6) If you run out of nail polish remover, your neighbor will have some.

7) As nice as they are, don’t wear NAU t-shirts every day….they make you look like a freshman.

8) Late classes are fun because you get to sleep in. However, what about that job you’re looking to get? You won’t get hired if every day you’re not done until 6pm. 

9) NAU transportation sucks. 

10) Freshman year is a whole new experience. It’s nothing like high school. You will lose friends and you will gain new friends. You will change, so be prepared. Everything is going to be new, different, and great. If you’re scared, talk to someone who already attends NAU and ask them questions. We’re here to help. We’ve all been through it.

Google Questions

This is a master list of questions that you guys have typed into Google to find my page. I’ve seen a lot of these questions and have been able to answer them. The ones I don’t know? I ask around. I will continue to keep track of the questions and add to this list as I go. Hope this helps!

1) Do any of the NAU dorms have air conditioning?
No. Unfortunately, none of the NAU halls have air conditioning.  This is their way of saving energy (Flagstaff is a very very GREEN town; everything is about saving the world). However, fortunately, it’s pretty cold most of the time you’re here. With the exception of summer terms and the first month of school, air conditioning is never really even needed. We do have heaters! However, only controllable by the Resident Hall Director (however, you can change how much heat you want in your room). Suggestions to get around this? Buy a fan. I’m not talking about a little mini desk fan, I’m talking a big guy. It will help not only keep your room cooler during the hot month, but also keep your room more sound proof from the hallways!

2) I’m too scared to meet people in my dorm hall.
Why? Honestly, there’s no reason to be scared! Sure, a lot of people can be immature, but for the most part, people in college are really nice. At NAU, almost everyone opens the door for you. However, if you’re scared, just remember other people are scared as well. It’s a new environment for everyone in your hall (considering you’re a freshman). Suggestions? Keep your door open! This is an invitation for others to stop by and say hello! It might be awkward at first, but you’ll be living with these people for the next 9 months, so it always helps to get to know them. Also, visit rooms with their doors open! It shows that they’re looking to meet new people and get to know the people around them. Overall, don’t be scared. People are nicer than you may think, especially when everyone else is scared as well!

3) Which NAU freshman hall has the most guys?
I think I posed this question before on the Life as a Lumberjack Tumblr. I believe Sechrist may have the most guys, however I’m not sure. It also ranges year-to-year depending on how many/what types of applicants NAU gets. For the most part, NAU is mostly girls. I’ve heard a rumor that it’s about 2-3 girls per guy. For guys, that’s a good thing. For us girls, not so much.

4) What are different ways to rearrange your dorm room?
I am actually planning on making a post about this. I will link to it as soon as I do! For the most part, it ranges on your creativity level.

5) What are the first few weeks of school like?
Well gosh. This certainly depends on your grade level. However, since I’m a freshman, I will answer this as a freshman.
The first few weeks are honestly a little bit intimidating. You’re having to get used to a whole new environment and schedule. The first day of classes are usually a bit hectic. There are always freshmen scattered everywhere with obvious confused looks on their faces. Everyone is either lost or carrying around a map. There are those few (including myself) who know their way around, but for the most part, it’s a confusing mess. The first classes are intimidating. However, the first week is always syllabus week. This means professors spend forever lecturing on what the semester is going to look like. Make sure you hold on to your syllabus’. They have important dates, deadlines, and grade information.
After the first week, you usually fall into a schedule and routine. You know where your classes are, you know how to get back to your hall (I’ve had a freshman ask me where her hall was), and you know what your classes are like, for the most part. This is the routine you’re stuck in for the next semester. You’ll meet new people, either learn to like or hate your teachers, and learn that procrastination is no longer a viable option in college.
It’s fun. The first few weeks are exciting.

6) Can freshmen live in Gillenwater Hall at NAU?
No. Gillenwater is a sophomore hall  located on North campus across from the Union. Freshmen are not allowed to live in it. Freshman halls include Sechrist, Allen, Reilly, Wilson, Cowden, Tinsley, and McConnell.

7) How do I move all my stuff into the dorms at NAU?
Most people use cars & boxes. Once you get to your hall at NAU, you check in, they give you your key and a cart (if you need one) to put your stuff in. Then, bring your stuff to your room, and put it in there.

8) Do you like Northern Arizona University?
Yes. I love NAU. Honestly, I love the atmosphere, the people, and the classes. I like how everything is walking distance and it’s a beautiful walk (with the exception of the large amount of construction that always seems to be going on). I would recommend it above any other Arizona school.

9) How do I tell dorm to be quiet?
Talk to your RA. If your floor is having issues and it’s past quiet hours, they can certainly write them up. Even when it’s not quiet hours, there are courtesy hours, meaning they cannot simply blast their music and scream down the hall. The best thing you can do is talk to your Resident Assistant. They will be able to help you out.

10) If you’re a girl can you have guys roommates at NAU?
No.

Reilly Hall Room Tour (Double)

Picture provided by NAU

As you walk down the hall inside Reilly you’ll notice a fun atmosphere of energetic freshmen excited as their first year in college rolls on by. Each floor offers its own lobby as well as 40+ rooms (with the exception of the first floor) with 2-3 people each. This room tour is of a double (2) room, so we will act as if this were the case. I will be doing a tour with a triple as well to show what those can look like.

In this room, there are 2 adjustable (but not loft-able) beds, 2 desks (with desk chairs), a small fridge (with a freezer), a trash can, a recycle bin, storage above the desk, 2 built-in closets, 2 dressers, a sink, a mirror above the sink with a medicine cabinet, and a large window. Everything else shown in  pictures did not come with the room; they were brought from home (or bought).

The above picture shows an example of something one could do with their room. The closet offers plenty of closet space, as shown:

Inside the closet there is a clothing rod, ability to put up curtains (through clips), and 2 large shelves with a divider between. When first coming into the room, the dresser is found inside the closet as well, however there are wheels at the bottom that makes it easily movable.

There is plenty of wall space to put up various wall-art. However, walls are too thick for staples or nails, so the only way to put things up are to use sticky substances. Command Strip has a nail that you can stick to the wall to hang up anything needing to be hanged (like the metal art that is shown above); however it can be a little pricey. There is a ledge above the 2 beds that stretches all the way across that allows thin objects to be placed above the bed. Note that the cabinet/pantry on the left of the bed did not come with the room. It was brought from home.

Speaking of wall art, there is plenty of space above and below the large window for any other wall decorations you may want to put up.

As I said in the above post, there are 2 desks and a fridge that comes with the room. The fridge, when first coming in, was originally placed between the 2 beds at the head of the beds. However, it has been moved in between the 2 desks. This makes it easy for any magnetic white boards or calenders to be accessed without having to buy any extra sticky substance for the walls (plus your snack food is right there). Every desk has a drawer, a storage unit (with capability to be locked), as well as 2 pull-out desks that makes it easy to do homework when there is a computer on the main part (as shown). Desk chairs do come with every hall, however not everyone has the same ones.

Here’s an example of the storage above the desks. It is about a foot and a half tall  and is great for iHomes, decorations, school supplies, movies, books, and anything else that you see fit.

The fridge (and a small TV brought from home).

A view of the sink in relation to the desk and bed. This was taken the day I moved in. This is why it’s different, messy, and with boxes. I forgot to take a picture of this area earlier. This will be updated at a later time.

Another note: Every room in every hall offers free internet, free cable TV (Reilly has assistance readily available to help with set-up of both), as well as a public restroom with public showers (and a bath?). There are 4 sets of stairs; one at each end of the building and one in the middle. There are 2 elevators as well.

I will put up pictures/information of the entire hall later on and link to it. Stay in tune!

Note: This is my room. This is also an example of picture’s I’d like from anyone submitting (make sure you remember the sink area if you have one. I originally forgot). Remember if you’d like to submit, check out the Guidelines  and email them to northernazcollegelife@gmail.com. The list of what I still need is on the sidebar on the left. Thanks!

Also check out Reilly Hall Room Tour (Triple).

First Few Weeks of School

Hey guys,

The past two weeks have been completely insane as I’ve been getting used to my new schedule with balancing school, friends, ect. I’ve been in classes, meeting new people, hanging out with old friends, and overall just enjoying my college experience as a freshman.

On Friday, it snowed on the I-17 outside of Flagstaff because it was so cold and rainy (snowy) out. My friends and I went to explore, but we went in the afternoon and by then it had already melted. However, we did have some fun taking pictures out in the forest, which I will post at the end.

As the third week is coming to a start, I just want to urge everyone to get to me with pictures and videos of their rooms. I still need someone to sign up for each dorm except for Reilly. I will probably be making and printing out fliers to post around campus to remind you. If you’re interested, or don’t know what I’m talking about, take a look at this link and this link. I’m really wanting to get these out there by the end of the month for future freshman applicants so they will know what they’re looking for when selecting their dorms. Not to mention current students who want to look at possible future dorms; so upperclassmen, send your stuff in!

Another note, I listed the halls in the sidebar on the left. The description is above the list. This way, you guys know what I do and don’t have. 🙂

Remember, if you’d like me to come and take pictures/video for you, just email me and let me know.

Also, I just wanted to announce again that starting next week, I am going to be an official reporter for NAZ Today. This means I’ll be more able to get stories and interviews, as well as the experience that comes along with it. This also means that I will be interviewing more people specifically for stories to post onto here every Sunday.

Once I start getting my dorm pictures/videos, I will be posting one every Wednesday starting this Wednesday with my own room as an example. Make sure you look out for that! If you are a follower of Life of a Lumberjack, I will also be posting a link from there so that you’re fully updated with my dorm posts. 🙂

If you guys have any questions or anything you’d like me to address in a future post, either comment or email me at northernazcollegelife@gmail.com.

Everyone have a good and safe third week of school!

A First Week In The Life of a College Freshman

Hey guys,

First off, I just want to say that starting next week, I will be doing scheduled posts every Sunday so that way it is more of a timed weekly thing and more organized. I think that this will make it easier for you guys to keep up with this blog and my posts about college life. I may do a random extra post once in a while throughout the week, so keep that in mind as well! It really just depends.

Now for the more important things. This past week has been my first week of college here at NAU. For many other freshmen, it’s been a relaxing yet scary time of minimum classes and homework, and maximum hanging out and enjoying the first week of college. For me, it’s been a crazy and hectic week with practically every minute of each day planned out to the max with classes, homework, and, well of course, hanging out with a few friends.

Northern Arizona University has a large campus and approximately 17,000-18,000 students attending classes. Because of all of the people, there are many times where it’s hard to get around quickly, even on a bike, because of the floods of people constantly contained on all of the main ways to reach classes. NAU is so full of diversity and interesting people, though, that it makes it more fun oftentimes. I’ve also found that The Union, a popular place to eat lunch during the weekdays, is often filled to the max with students trying to get a quick bite to eat in before classes…although this week, it hasn’t appeared to be very quick.

With that said, NAU is a beautiful campus, and I am grateful to know my way almost completely around North Campus. Because none of my classes are South Campus, I honestly couldn’t tell you much about it yet, and I almost never am down that way. However, it’s been really nice being able to know my way around North Campus, and even direct some upperclassmen around because they may have not had classes up here in a long time. I love how there are always people around, just chilling in the quad, playing basketball, talking and laughing with each other, and just enjoying their experiences in college. It makes it such a fun environment, and really has a great college vibe that gets me excited everyday to be here.

The quickest way I’ve found to get to classes is by using my bike. It honestly only takes me a couple of minutes to get from Reilly to any of my class building with my bike, and I always end up being early. I’ve heard the bus is a good way to go as well, and will especially be useful in the winter, although it gets crowded especially during major class times. Walking is a good way to go if you’re just wanting to leisurely get to class and enjoy the environment around you, and if you’re not in a huge rush. This way, you can better experience the people and the scenes going on around you, and really take in the awesome college experience. However, if you’re more in a rush, I would not recommend walking unless you absolutely have to.

All of my professors are males, ranging from grad students (math and English) to senior professors (everything else). They are all great professors and for the most part, I really like a majority of them. Although most of my classes are liberal studies this semester, I’m really excited to get started with more of my Journalism classes and be able to meet more professors interested in what I’m really interested in.

I mentioned The Union in an early paragraph. I really quite enjoy all of the options that they have available there, although I can see how they might get tiring after a few weeks. There is a lot of good food offered, and I really like not feeling like I’m spending money when I want to grab something to eat between/after classes. Having a meal plan through the university is a really great thing, and I almost have too many meals to use! The one complaint I’d have about it is how busy it gets during main eating hours, however if you can go when it’s not as busy, I’d really suggest that.

If you have any more questions on my first week of school, feel free to comment and let me know. I know this was a more general summary of how my week went, and less personal. I may add a more personal summary tomorrow as my weekly Sunday post.

Ash

Welcome to My Dorm (Reilly Hall)

Hello guys!

Alright, so yesterday was the big move-in day! I moved into NAU a day early to avoid the major crowds that are currently overwhelming all of Reilly hall and many other multifarious halls around campus (which I am VERY glad that I did and recommend doing this!).

Anyways, so I really like it. I love how I’ve been decorating it and I love the atmosphere that’s in Flagstaff! The rooms themselves are quite hot sometimes because there is no air conditioning…but when the breeze kicks up and with the fan it’s not too bad. 🙂

I have some pictures that I’m going to be uploading. This could count as my Reilly part of the dorm model thing I’m doing. REMEMBER. If  you want to have your dorm be a model for my dorm-tours…please contact me as soon as possible! Thank you! I am also going to make a video and upload that as well as the second part of the dorm tour. Keep in mind, my room mate isn’t moved in yet and won’t be until tomorrow, so her side of the room is quite plain. So I can show you guys what it looks like before its covered with decorations and things!

Here is my dorm room:

 

Now off to go figure out my oh so complicated bike lock…Wish me luck.

Sign up to be a model for a hall tour

Hey guys,

So in case you forgot, we all move in next week. I know, shocker.

Also, in case you didn’t know, my residence after next Wednesday is going to be Reilly Hall. No, this doesn’t mean you can stalk me.

However, I want to do video/picture tours of all of the (freshman, at least) halls on campus. So, if you live in a hall that isn’t Reilly and you’d like me to use your room as a model, please let me know. If you’re interested in signing up, check out the guidelines and then email me at northernazcollegelife@gmail.com your pictures/videos of your room and your hall. If you do not have a camera or any way to get good quality pictures and/or videos of your room/hall, feel free to just email me when you are available, and I will come by and do it for you!

I’m just going to be doing this for any incoming students. I got this idea because, being a freshman liaison at Life as a Lumberjack, there are many people (incoming freshmen, especially) who are wondering what their potential dorm rooms/halls look like and want ideas as to how they could decorate it.

I will only need one video per hall, but if you think your room is unique and has some creative ideas, I’d love to photograph or you can email me pictures to northernazcollegelife@gmail.com for me to post. I will create one post for all of my dorm tours and another for dorm room photos. So feel free to contact me once you are moved in and ready for your room to be a model! 🙂

Disclaimer: Please note that I am not a professional in any kind of way. I am just another freshman who happens to be a blogger. I’m also not affiliated with NAU in any other way other than the fact that I am a student. With that in mind, I am friendly and won’t bite.

Packing

First, let’s begin with an extremely awkward video made by me a few hours ago:

Now, back to business. As I said in the video, I’ve pretty much just been packing and relaxing all day. It’s been a good day, listening to Hot Chelle Rae and hearing the thunderstorm outside that occurred all afternoon.

So far I have a couple of boxes, as well as a couple of storage boxes that I am using to pack my things for NAU. I am trying to keep it down, as I know I’m not going to have a lot of room in my new room, especially while living with a room mate.

I also want to say that when I do move in and set up, I will take some pictures as well as a video to show around my room and my move-in process. I am moving in a day early, so there should be slightly less people than there will be on the 25th. I’m so psyched to move in, and the day is getting closer and closer!

So that’s pretty much all I had to say this post. Please keep in mind that when I do move in, I will have more helpful posts for you guys. It’s just hard to blog much about Flagstaff when I don’t live there quite yet!

Also make sure you keep in touch with my “Posts to look forward to” in the side bar on the left. I do keep that updated, so you’ll know what I’m going to post about next (though I will add in some extra posts that aren’t planned, just to throw you guys off ;] )!

Dorm/School Essentials

So as we have one month left until school, I’m sure many of you freshmen, like myself, are wondering what exactly we are going to need for our dorms and just for school in general? It’s hard to know exactly what to get for when we start the new chapter in our life at college, and sometimes it’s hard to figure that out.

I’ve found two different sites that help a lot with that sort of thing. One is FreshmanTips, which I find to be very helpful in a lot of ways to freshmen. There is also this other site that I got emailed to me by a college-finding website I signed up for in my senior year. I usually delete those emails, considering I’m no longer in high school, but this one caught my eye, and I’m glad I did.

The links to the pages are here and here. So you can take a look for yourself, but I will highlight the things that seem to have stood out the most to me.

1) Don’t bring a lot of stuff; only what you need. I feel like this has been repeated constantly for a while on every site that has tips for moving into dorms. This is really helpful because I probably would have brought a lot of stuff…and ended up with absolutely no space in my room. When I pack, I’m going to be sure I set aside plenty of boxes labeled “For Storage” until I get an apartment…

2) Shower stuff (shoes, carrier, ect.) is a must. Don’t go unprepared with just a couple of shampoo’s and conditioner. Make sure you have a special set of shower shoes and some sort of carrier for your shower stuff. Otherwise, it won’t be too fun.

3) Extension Cords. I know for Reilly at least, there’s only one or two outlets. Well, keep in mind that we are teenagers…actually, we’re human. We have a lot of electronics. It’s the 21st century. Bring plenty of extension cords, or plan on buying them.

4) A fan. It may seem silly. We’re going to Flagstaff, one of the coolest parts of Arizona, and it’ll be the middle of winter. However, keep in mind that NAU does NOT have air conditioning. We are also going at the end of August, one of the hottest months of the summer. Your room will get hot. End of story.

I think those are 4 of the most important things. Obviously, there are plenty more important things, but I feel like those are things that people overlook, and I certainly did.

If any upperclassmen have any other input, please let me know. 🙂

Weather

Chilling winds, pouring rain, heavy clouds, blowing snow; how is anyone suppose to get used to the seemingly bipolar weather in Flagstaff, Arizona, especially if you’re one from the Phoenix area or any other place that’s hot most of the time?

I know that many incoming freshman are constantly worried about the weather up in Flagstaff. I mean heck, it was snowing last week, and last year all the finals were basically cancelled because of snow in the middle of May! Not to mention the constant wind and the few feet of snow that piles up during the regular winter hours.

Being from California, I know what it’s like to be anxious about that kind of weather. I moved to Payson, Arizona three years ago and not only was it a huge culture shock, but it was also a huge change in weather. I went from the semi-sunny beaches of Southern California to the wind and rain of monsoon seasons and snow of winter seasons up here in the mountains. It was a huge change, and I know that it’s a change that many incoming freshmen and transfers are going to be experiencing this fall and winter as they get used to the beautiful Flagstaff weather.

So, how is it possible for a flatlander (no offense) to get used to such weather? Well, wear layers. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to slap myself in the face when I see a girl (or guy) walking around in shorts in 5 degree weather…especially if the girl decides to wear Uggs as well. I mean, what’s the point? Also, if you’re not keen on such weather, don’t go outdoors too often. It is definitely fun to go outside, build snowmen, have snowball fights, and sit in the snow for hours-on-end (I know from experience), however, not only will more experienced Flagstaff-weather students look at you funny, but you may also catch a cold, miss your classes, and ultimately fail college…well at least that semester.

So, go find that favorite coffee place of yours, wait for the snowy season to come in, and hide out there, sit by a fireplace (if they have one, of course..if not, find an espresso machine), drink your hot coffee, and watch and laugh as others slide about with red noses acting as if they enjoy such weather.

Disclaimer: I do love this type of weather, and am for sure a winter person. Don’t get me wrong. 

The only reason why I decided to post this today was because it’s been windy and rainy all day which has gotten me in a writing mood…:)