11th
AU
Okay, so my pastor’s daughter (who is like a little sister to me) is coming to AU as a freshman this year. She asked for as much advice as possible and this is what I came up with:
”Know that the friends that you have first semester are going to seem totally weird and random to you by the time you graduate. And know that your friend group will be changing/growing and that each year will look totally different than the last one. Social clubs are stupid. But I won’t hate you if you join one. Umm, you’re probably going to have a love/hate relationship with the Marketplace, and with Sunday brunch. And with chapel. And with Brent Baker. You’ll probably want to taste alcohol when you turn 21. Make sure to get out of the “AU Bubble” and actually get to know the city of Anderson and be a part of that community. Take advantage of campus ministries; they are awesome. And don’t be intimidated to do them as a freshman. Invest in your classes and in your relationships with professors and you will get a lot more out of it. The library is the only way for a college student to actually get all of their work done and still socialize in any way. Work at Mocha Joe’s, it’s awesome. Don’t roast marshmallows in the eternal flame. They will taste like gasoline. And don’t touch that rock they make everyone touch at orientation…people pee on it all of the time. “Business Casual” comedy shows are significantly better than “Cheap Thrills”. Find your niche and thrive in that! Appreciate how much time you have your freshman year, because you will never have that much time ever again. Haha. Spend time at Deluxe Donuts and every other quirky Anderson restaurant. Don’t run at Shadyside Park by yourself…people get raped. But if AU sends out an e-mail about a student getting raped, she probably made it up. Be a PACT (Peace and Conflict Transformation) minor! It’s one of the best programs AU has to offer (and is rare at a college), and PACT will pay for students to go on education trips to conferences and such. Bible 2000 will probably rock your world, in a good/hard way. Jamie the Haven Lady will always tell you that she’s retiring and that her husband just got out of jail, but she never retires and he always goes right back to jail. Hha that’s all I can think of off the top of my head, but I’m sure it’s a good start. You’ll figure it all out. :] “
It was kind of nice to take the time and reflect on our quirky little college. I’m actually really excited to come back for homecoming. ha!
