May 13, 2014
Since my college graduation (3 days ago) I have been doing some serious thinking between the packing and hauling of boxes and heartbreaking goodbyes. My conclusion is this, I LOVED my time at South Dakota State University and I wouldn’t trade one memory for anything.
I received a fantastic education, met inspiring people and truly experienced life; all while never losing that small town feel that I have grown to know and love. As a recent grad, I think it is my duty to share my tips/advice to achieve academic success and overall happiness at SDSU for new freshmen. Take this advice with a grain of salt. After all, I did just graduate with an Advertising degree and I would hate to sell you something you don’t need.
1.) Get a good advisor- if your advisor is too busy, get a new one. Spoiler alert- they can get you scholarships.
2.) Eat as much late-night George’s as possible and then run/skip/dance home so it equals out ;)
3.) }Answer questions in class. Nerd, Smerd. If a professor knows you and knows you come to class they are more likely to be lenient if you fall on that 89%.
4.) ChocoLatte is your caffeine lifeline. Donna is like my college mother. When in doubt- choose a blueberry scone. (Insert “I’m So Fancy” song)
5.) }Take more pictures than you should, but please Lord do NOT post them all.
6.) Craft a flawless resume and print business cards. Seriously. You can set yourself apart by doing the little things.
7.) Build your network- Attend Brookings Entrepreneurial Network meetings and meet some brilliant minds.
8.) Study Abroad. India put everything in perspective for me.
9.) Find genuine friends. It doesn't hurt if they are also health conscious. Trust me, what they eat, you eat.
10.) The Wellness Center is your friend and Spin Class is your frenemy.
11.) Don’t be afraid to apply for a job you don’t think you are qualified for. As a Freshman I was hired at the SDSU Bookstore as the Marketing Manager. Someone will take a chance on you if you believe in yourself.
12.) Speak with confidence. There are NO answers written on the ceiling so stop looking up. Eye contact, eye contact, eye contact.
13.) Go to every SDSU Football game and cheer until you are frozen.
14.) Creativity is key. If you have an idea, don’t hold back & be sure to talk to Bob C. about it.
15.) Never miss out on a spring break trip. Enough said.
16.) If you are borderline ADD, then Briggs Library is not a good place to study.
17.) Your GPA is important. Try. Graduating with highest honors was one of my proudest moments thus far. (yes, I said thus.) Also Honors Speech is the best class on campus.
18.) The ladies in the Financial Aid office will always be crabby. Don’t let it ruin your day.
19.) Get a random roommate and don’t worry about getting a “weirdo.” Have you ever looked in the mirror? No one is sunshine and rainbows all the time. Being weird is totally in anyway.
20.) Laugh until you cry as much as you can. Build meaningful relationships. Do something that people will remember you by. These next four years will be gone before you know it. They truly are the best years of your life, but only if you make it that way. Open your heart and your mind to Brookings and it will open doors for you that you never imagined possible.
Thank you to my roommates, my boyfriend, my classmates, my pageant sisters, my Professors and the Brookings Community for supporting my dreams.