I CAN'T believe I'm writing this column. Let me rephrase that: I can't believe I only have one year left at the University. After all, I vividly remember that fateful day in August, 1997 when my family dropped me off at Page dorm. Apparently that was three years ago. And while I only have one more year to taste the sweet life that this University offers, I can pass on what I've learned in my five semesters as a student here. In this issue of The Cavalier Daily, there undoubtedly are other columns devoted to what material things you should bring to Charlottesville for your first year. With that in mind, I prefer to take a look at some of the non-material aspects of University life that will make or break your first year.
Forget about U.Va. Stereotypes
For better or worse, the University can boast of several reputations both regionally and nationally. According to some of these, we are: academic high-achievers, snobbish, alcoholics, preppies or any combination of these. Before arriving in Charlottesville, the best thing any first year can do is disregard all preconceived notions of what University life will be like. If you stick to one image in your head of how things are here, you will cheat yourself of the chance to form your own first impressions.
There is no one University experience. U.Va. is many things to many people. The University runs the spectrum from fantastic to, let's say, lacking. At its best, it is an incredible school to attend, with top-notch professors and friendly, easy-going students. At its worst, it is junior high school with alcohol. One thing I can guarantee is that you will encounter both extremes during your first semester here. I like to think that the first option is the predominant one.
Enjoy these years for what they are
One of the mistakes many people make when coming to the University is viewing their time here as just one step in a well-engineered plan for great success in life. Whether the goal is to become the world's greatest accountant, or a doctor, or the next Johnnie Cochran, too many people here think of the University as an afterthought compared to the goal of getting that big paycheck. Certainly, a University education is a fundamental tool for this kind of success, but that's not all it is. Once again, you are cheating yourself if you take the narrow view that this school is here exclusively for careerist purposes. It clearly will help along that line, but it is much more.
When I started at U.Va., I wanted to be an attorney. A couple of summers working at a law firm quickly changed my mind about that. A lot of you probably have some idea of what you want to pursue as a career. Be prepared to change. If you arrive here wanting to be a doctor and stick to the plan, that's great. Just don't be too closed-minded about it.
Never let a chance go by to soak it all in
The hard work at the University, and probably at most schools, comes in waves. You can go weeks in a class with nothing more than required reading, and then you have a mid-term worth 50 percent of your grade. After that, it might be another two months before the next exam. There are good and bad sides to this system.
The good side is that there is comparatively little of the tedious work that comprised the bulk of assignments in high school. The flip side of this is, when exam time rolls around, you'll get smacked if you're not ready.
Along this cycle of work/no work periods, you are likely to encounter some of the funniest, strangest and most absurd times in your life. That said, you should take the time periodically to stop and have a look around. Just from studying at Clemons Library during exam week, I've already seen jousting, fraternity hazing and even a robot known to wander around Grounds occasionally. And this was on the "quiet" floor. I'm sure you'll see your share of these kinds of events. Enjoy it. I apologize for sounding overly nostalgic here, but with one year left, I can't allow myself to leave here believing that I somehow didn't experience everything I could.
By no means is the University a perfect school -- far from it. The "perfect school" doesn't exist. The best piece of advice any incoming first year could hear is simply to be aware that you only have four years. You have to make the most of them. That may seem like a long time, but compared to high school, these four years will go by in an instant. If you can keep that in mind, your time here will be that much more fulfilling. So have fun. Remember: you don't have a curfew anymore.
(Timothy DuBoff is a Cavalier Daily columnist.)
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