Dear Freshman!
I wonder if you are as surprised at reading that as I am at writing it. Freshman in college! Wow!! When we spoke on the phone I could tell that you had so many questions on so many topics, and you seemed more willing to listen to my opinions than you had been when you were home. I’m sorry that you had to go, but happy that you and your roommate went to the game together. I meant it when I told you that I would write you all my comments so you could read them when you needed to. Keep in mind that I went to college in the 60s and I was, and continue to be very conservative. However, I have kept myself up to date through conversations with friends, much varied reading and watching you and your brother and sister grow. Over the years I have seen happiness and heartbreak. All this information I offer to you because I want the best for you. I take what I write very seriously and I pray that you read and re-read my words thoughtfully and add it to your own knowledge that you have gained over the years. Always remember that I am your loving mother and will always be here for you only a phone call away, and your home base is here also awaiting your next visit. There is nothing that you can do, or not do, that can change my love for you my Dear. Here we go:
REGISTRATION-Do not load up on all courses only specifically in you major. Take some core courses that would be included in any major. You may believe that you will never change your major, but being practical by taking a variety of courses is very sensible. Your brother changed his major at least three times, and he ended up very happy with a very different course of study and landed a spectacular job. Your sister changed colleges and majors with some challenging times but received her Bachelors Degree in four years despite what seemed like impossible setbacks. Both your brother and sister had taken courses that transferred to other majors and other schools. I have heard about many students that have taken five years to acquire a Bachelors, and if that’s how it works out for you, it’s OK, but it will mean more loans to pay back, time lost that could be spent on your Masters if you so wish, or time lost that you might spend beginning your career. Also, and this is farthest from your mind, you must be a full-time student to be covered on our medical insurance-that is 12 credits for our insurance at this time. It is imperative that you remain fully insured at all times because doctors and hospitals are very expensive. Though you are young and healthy, illness and accidents, God forbid, do happen. I don’t want to elaborate too much, but we wouldn’t want you or us saddled with debt because of lack of insurance. Do you remember when your sister took that framing class while she was in college? That was so she would be taking 12 credits in her last semester and remain qualified for our medical insurance when all her major course requirements had been fulfilled. I believe that your brother took a guitar course for the same reason.
My main point here is keep you options open. You may say, “I don’t want to take a math or history or English course because it will be just like high school!” You can sign up for something related that would be different, new and interesting, but still fulfill requirements. Think about what would be challenging and still fill a need for you like writing or public speaking. Ask a guidance counselor or ask an upperclassman-especially for pointers about the teachers. Older students can tell you about teaching style, types of assignments, etc. These personal hints can be extremely helpful. Vary your courses so they are not all math, or science or English; that will make it easier on you for study and class preparation plus will position you for change if that becomes necessary.
DROPPING A COURSE-Evaluate each course the first few classes. There is a certain definite time limit when you can drop a class and enroll in another. Keep in mind that you will have to catch up with the new course because you will have missed some classes. When I was in college, each semester was pretty well set up for us. Now I see that there may be many choices to fulfill requirements. It’s not easy to make wise decisions, so evaluate carefully.
LAUNDRY-Even before you purchase clothing, read the tags to see how they are to be kept clean. Dry cleaning is expensive, but you don’t have to spend time washing or ironing. Remember the basics: separate into darks, whites and delicates. Check pockets (one tissue can make a mess of your clothes!) Sometimes, if the load isn’t too full, you can put the delicates of the same color in with the darks or whites. Put your money in the machine, select the water temperature (I usually use warm wash and cold rinse—read the tags on your clothing and follow directions) and add the detergent then. After some water has run into the washing machine and the detergent is mixed in, add the clothes. Put items in one at a time balancing them around. Never overfill a washing machine, the clothing rubs against each other and your good clothes “pill,” or develop unattractive little nubs, plus they won’t get as clean. Also, follow directions on detergent: do not add extra as it won’t clean well or rinse well. Stay with your clothes, study some notes, it usually takes 35 minutes or so to complete a washer load. Once you “know your dryers,” you’ll know what heat to set them on. Some dryers just don’t heat up hot, so when you set them on hot, they are actually medium-get what I mean? Sheets and towels go on hot. I hang my delicates to dry, but I see you sister dries most of her clothing on medium or low. Most items of clothing will shrink a bit the first time they are dried but not again. This shrinkage takes place lengthwise more that widthwise. Whether you hang your clothes or dry them in a machine, be sure that they are fully dry. If not, when you fold them and put them away, they will get mildewy and smell musty. In fact, when you take your clothes off, but plan on wearing them again, make sure they are able to air out and dry, or, they too, will smell musty. I will end this section with mildew prevention: Air dry your soiled washcloths to wash often (they start to smell bad. Do not just toss your damp soiled clothes and wet towels in a pile and leave them. They will actually grow a red spot mildew that requires chlorine to kill. Air dry your soiled items before throwing them in that pile! I have much respect for chlorine bleach. Read your clothing tags to see if they are chlorine safe. One drop or small splash will spot any things that are nearby or clothes you are wearing. When you use chlorine, dilute it and mix thoroughly before you add clothing. Stir or agitate the washing machine by closing the lid immediately. If you are bleaching an article by hand, use rubber gloves or a fork to stir and move the item around so the solution can move freely through the fabric. Wring out and rinse well to get the chlorine out and immediately put in the washing machine while it is agitating to wash. There are large capacity front load washers that may be available to you that are easier on your laundry because they roll the clothes. Always find one of these large capacity washers (you will probably need $3.50 worth of quarters) for your washable throw rugs, bed comforters, blankets and sleeping bags. And, again, make certain that they are completely dry before putting them away.
I’ll write again with more ideas/suggestions. You can only read just so much.
Love, Mom
Please, keep in mind that the above are opinions from a grandmother. Please consider them carefully, seek your own family members’ opinions and those of professionals in your life such as your pediatrician and school professionals.
Your own Grandma would probably want you to feel free to use, copy, print or share any or all information from her letters. So does Letters from Grandma.com. Grandma reminds you to give credit to Letters from Grandma.com so others will know where to go for Grandmotherly opinions. When you print, note that you can save paper by highlighting and “selecting” just what you want to print, you can use the back side of previously used computer paper and you can change the font size and print 4 pages on one sheet of paper—if you can read it—Grandma can’t.)