The definitive guide to Penn State for all incoming freshmen

On the first day of freshman year, I was headed towards my first college class ever, English 15. I was so nervous that I never even looked at the room number and somehow my anxiety ridden brain thought that the “15” was the room number, not the course number. I made it to the building my class was in OK, but for about a half hour I frantically searched for room 15—which didn’t exist. Finally, a janitor found me in the basement, looked at my schedule, and walked me to class. Not exactly smooth sailing.

Being in a new place, knowing only a few people, and not really knowing where you fit in, isn’t the easiest situation to be in, but on the plus side, you go to Penn State: home of the best student football section in the country, a to die for creamery, and some of the best parties.

Here is the definitive freshman guide to all things State.

Stay for an entire football game at least once

The tailgates are tempting. Alumni just want to live vicariously through you and feed you and you can probably find a way to get alcohol and not pay for it, but try to remember that you did drop $218 dollars on season tickets which is outrageously expensive compared to some other schools. Besides, the Blue Band’s pre-game shows are always impressive and you can be first in line to get a chicken strip basket—a home game staple.

You will try to rally and end up puking

Some people are blessed with the ability to wake up, drink for 12 hours straight, take a quick nap, get up, and drink the night away. I am not one of those people and I don’t think most people are, but the few who are able swear that anyone can do it. However, after that much needed nap, you’ll probably just wake up and feel awful. If you really want to make it to the party all of your friends are going to after drinking all day, DO NOT fall asleep, stay awake, and push through it.

Keep your door open

You’re not going to make friends on your floor if you close yourself off from everyone, especially the first few days when everyone is extra friendly. Dorms are filled with all sorts of different people, some you might really like, and others you might hate, but the only way to find out is if you actually meet them and scope it out yourself.

Don’t drink a ton the night before your parents pick you up

Most people have a long car ride ahead of them home from State College and the last thing you want to be is hungover and trapped in the car for several hours with your parents who want to know everything that’s going on with you. There will be always be more parties when you get back to State College, so save yourself the trouble and stay in for a night, and save the parties for a morning when you don’t have to greet your parents.

Befriend a professor

You might think it’s awkward or uncomfortable, but it’s important to have at least one professor know who you are. You’ll probably need a letter of recommendation at least once in your four years of school and you don’t want to be stuck with no one to ask.

There are free events at the HUB

Not every night has to be a night where you get trashed at a Frat party. Some people have deemed the events at the HUB lame, but most of them are free and you can see a lot of things that you may night have seen otherwise. Often up and coming artists are playing (like the Chainsmokers), and one time I saw a Drag show which was FABULOUS, as it should be.

Make friends with someone who has a car

You’re going to be sick of the dining commons eventually and McClannahan’s is so expensive because it is the only grocery store in walking distance. If you find someone willing to drive you up Atherton, you can go to Walmart and buy yourself a Rotisserie chicken or head to the promised land: Trader Joe’s. There is a world of possibilities if you can mooch off of someone who has a car.

It’s OK to stay in

It’s Friday night, you’ve had four exams this week, and there is a foot of snow on the ground. Half of the people on your floor are still going to truck to frat row, in the cold, without jackets, and probably high heels, and you just don’t find that appealing at the moment, and that is OK! There will ALWAYS be another party. Sometimes you just need to stay in, order pizza, and binge watch Netflix, and there is nothing wrong with that, even though some people won’t be able to fathom the idea of missing a party.

Learn to drink shitty alcohol

This is not the alcohol you’ve been stealing from your parents all High School. This is bottom of the line and the only thing college kids can afford. It also burns, it burns a lot, but after a few, you won’t be able to tell anyway.

Push yourself to do things you wouldn’t normally do

Try to say “yes” to events you wouldn’t have seen yourself going to. There are so many bizarre clubs you can join, art shows you can go to, sporting events, and so much more. This is also a great way to meet people and find the people you love spending your time with.

Reinvent yourself, do whatever you want, and don’t waste any time, because it might not feel like it, but you are living the dream.