Welcome to Longwood! This year will be a year you will never forget. But with so much to experience in your freshman year, what are the important things you must do? Hold on to your hats because this list might just help.
1. Take an 8 a.m. class: When I was entering my Freshman Year here at Longwood, I had an 8 a.m. class. It was Modern Western Civilization, and I thought that I would be able to handle it with no problems. I had been getting up at 5:30 a.m. every day during the previous school year; why shouldn’t I be able to handle getting up early for one class that was only three days a week? Boy, was I surprised. But it honestly helped me. Taking that early class allowed me the chance to learn how to manage my time in a way that allowed me to get to bed early. Homework was done, tests were studied for and I was in bed by 11 p.m. Also, taking an early class your freshman year allows you the chance to say, “Never again!” when it comes time to register for your classes for future semesters.
2. Walk around Farmville: Trust me, there’s more to Farmville than McDonald’s and D-Hall. Take a group of friends out one weekend and just walk around the town together. There is a lot that’s hidden beneath the surface of this small town. Last year, I walked to the location of a story I was writing an article for, and I discovered that we have a skate park. Little things like that will surprise you if you take the chance to discover them.
3. Take part in Longwood Traditions: Like every other school, Longwood has some awesome traditions. You might have already heard of one while you were moving in—it’s called the G.A.M.E. (Greatest Athletics March Ever). Students gather in the gym to celebrate the first women’s soccer game of the season (and to get some awesome scarves. Make sure to get one because it changes every year). Then, the students walk to the soccer field to watch the game. But that’s not the only tradition we have at Longwood. In mid-October, the Longwood community celebrates Oktoberfest where clubs and organizations try to raise money for their own purposes, and some big named bands come and perform. However, the day before is just as exciting. To start off Oktoberfest, Longwood students face off and throw watered down paint at one another. If you entered Longwood in an even year (like 2012, 2010, etc), you are a member of the red class. If you entered Longwood in an odd year, you are a member of the green class. We call this tradition Color Wars. It’s done every year, and if you wear a white shirt, you get a pretty cool design out of the deal! Also, you get to experience the same kind of festival as Oktoberfest in the spring semester with Spring Weekend (except where Oktoberfest has Color Wars, Spring Weekend has Oozeball, a type of volleyball that’s played in the mud!). Another tradition worth mentioning is Longwood’s Late Night Breakfast. It’s the Sunday before finals where some of the faculty come together to serve students breakfast at D-Hall. Not to mention, there’s always a dance off at some point during the night, and can you think of a better way to start off Finals Week than hearing your fellow students belt out Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”?
4. Contribute something to The Rotunda: Don’t turn that page! Contributing something to The Rotunda doesn’t mean you have to come to every meeting or write an article every week. We take articles from contributors, and you don't need to feel pressured to write an article weekly. Also, it is pretty cool seeing your name on a byline. But that doesn’t mean you have to write an article. If you’re an aspiring photographer, contribute a photo for one of the articles. If you’re an aspiring artist, send in an editorial cartoon or two. Did I mention it’s pretty cool to see your name on your own byline?
5.Join a Club:I know I just got finished talking about contributing to The Rotunda, but hear me out. Yes, college is fun. Yes, college is the time of your life that you will never have the chance to do over. Why not make it as memorable as you can? Joining a club allows you the chance to meet new people who have the same interests as you do; it’s just like high school but without the cliques. If you’re a big history buff, we have the History Club that meets every Thursday at 3:30 p.m. If you’d rather discuss political events, but your friends groan whenever you bring the topic up, join the Political Science Club. If you love anime, there’s a club for that too. Clubs allow you to get the sensation of having an enjoyable college experience like the ones portrayed in movies.
College is a time for discovering yourself. You may find you love your major, or you may find that your major is not for you and end up changing it.
However, no matter what you end up doing or what you decide is for you, these five things are definitely ones you should consider taking part in. Even the 8 a.m.
