In 4 and 2/3 years, you seem to come up with a lot of things that you wish you had learned earlier. So here’s a shortened list of advice compiled from the upper years to help you out. Hopefully it teaches you a thing or two that you can find useful.
On Matters of Fun:
-“Work hard, play harder” is more than just a motto. It’s a way of life.
-An awkward morning beats a boring night.
-Every other faculty except Math has girls. If you get invited to an Arts party, GO!
-Engineering boys from Ryerson love Engineering girls from Waterloo.
-When the doors of POETS are open, you can go in! You might just enjoy it.
-After you graduate, you’re not going to remember the tests that you take or the grades that you make. You’re going to remember everything else.
-You will never have a better opportunity to meet new people, make new friends, and define who you are and will be for the rest of your life than you do in university. Take advantage of this opportunity while you still can.
-Always be a good wingman. You never know when you might need one yourself.
On Alcohol:
-If you don’t drink, you can still have fun at events where other people are drinking.
-If a friend chooses not to consume alcohol, respect their decision, whether it’s one time or always.
-Never lose your friends and make sure they get home.
-Always have a Sharpie on hand when drinking.
-Always beware the guy with the Sharpie when drinking.
-Just because you CAN drink or eat something, doesn’t mean you should.
-The drunk tank may not be comfy, but it’s a safe place to spend the night if you’ve got nothing else.
On Academics:
-It’s okay to ask for help!
-When you’re looking for help, don’t always look within your year, and don’t always look within your discipline.
-Find something to do other than school, or you WILL lose your mind!
-Your TAs are getting paid to help you! Don’t ever let them forget that!
-The point of an engineering education is not to learn physics, calculus, chemistry, or circuits. The point of an engineering education is to learn how to learn.
-If something happens to you that may affect your performance, document it, even if you don’t think it will matter in the end.
On Housing:
-When you’re looking for housing, if it looks like a hell-hole, it probably is!
-Your landlord must give you at least 24 hours notice prior to entering your home, except in the case of an extreme emergency or if you call him/her.
-The Waterloo Tenant’s Act can be found at http://www.ontariotenants.ca/law/act01.phtml. Familiarize yourself with it and it will save you a lot of grief.
-Always check inside cupboards and under the sink for things such as mouse droppings before committing to a house.
-One roach in the hand is worth a thousand in the wall.
-You can default on a lease if there is a problem such as vermin.
-A nice house is never worth a bad landlord.
On Saving Money:
-Volunteering for events can get you both free food and free clothing. Don’t ever underestimate this. A well-informed student can eat for free for up to a week at a time.
-Bulk pasta and tomato sauce is both cheaper and healthier than Kraft Dinner. Lentils and rice also beat KD.
-Learning to cook will save you money.
-The CnD is the cheapest place to eat on campus, possibly even in Waterloo.
-Dinner at East Side Mario’s should ALWAYS last you at least 2 meals, 3 if you do it right.
-Never bring a debit or credit card with you when you go drinking. Only bring the amount of cash you want to spend and no more.
-Having a party at home is cheaper than going to the bar. Having a “movie” night at home is even cheaper.
-Just because a fee is refundable, doesn’t mean you should get it back. Always take the time to learn what the money is for before you get a refund.
On general survival skills:
-Never go anywhere without your WatCard. You never know when you may need to catch a bus, get a student discount, etc.
-Mary Bland is the source of all knowledge. Do not piss her off, and show her the respect she deserves.
-It’s cash only and no backpacks in the CnD
-Don’t stir your coffee like a maniac when you’re in the CnD.
-If you can’t see all of the dishes in the sink, it’s time to wash them.
-Growing mold in your kitchen/dining room/bedroom is not a science experiment that will help you get places in engineering.
-You have plenty of free time. Learn to recognize it by getting your act together.
-If you try to touch the TOOL before you get your ring, expect to get beat up.
-Conferences are a great way to meet new people, make new friends and make industry contacts.
-Voluntelling is a perfectly legitimate way of getting volunteers.
-Make friends with upper-year students.
-Everybody needs at least one really good friend. If you are that friend to someone, don’t ever let him or her down.
-The only time in your life where people will beg you to take on a leadership role is when you are in university. Take advantage of that.
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