Tips for Fresh-folk

The puddle has filled up, mostly with little froggies who were scrawny tadpoles until a week ago. As I am about to turn 21, and am going through my annual old phase I'll disperse some advice I've learned during my time in the puddle (which by no means is coming to an end, as I'm on the 5+ year plan).

1. Realize that you are a small frog in a BIG sea. Deal with it. Find a smaller puddle to get involved in. You are still small, but the sea just got way, way smaller and the splash you can make just got way, way bigger.
2. Listen to people. Everyone has an intersting story, find out what it is.
3. Be wary of someone who immediatly tries to get you involved in their cause, without getting to know you first.
4. Join a group, find a cause you care about, even if it doesn't have the most glamourous table on Sproul.
5. Don't buy books at Ned's or the ASUC store. Check what books you need, write down the ISBN, and buy them used off of Amazon, eCampus, Half.com or anywhere else you can find them. No waiting in line, cheaper prices, and the books come right to your door. Cons? It may take you a few extra days to get everything together.
6. When it comes time to move out of the dorms, move in with people you get along with but do not over-lap with your social life. This makes coming home interesting and minimizes opportunities to fight.