August is almost over. Good Christ, it was only five minutes long. Now that school’s around the corner again, I wonder if you’re starting to feel anxious about college like I was two years ago. Maybe it’ll be easier for you — if you’re at UO, you might not even have to move out. I mean, I recommend it, though. If you’d like some advice, here’s what I’d tell myself from two years ago:
- Don’t be friends with people who are mean to you. Should be obvious, but… Maybe even avoid group settings with people you like who like mean people.
- College isn’t the end of the world. It’s basically normal public school, but less class.
- It’s much better than public high school.
- Start assignments early, and procrastinate as little as possible. I like holing myself up in the quiet zones of the library.
- Remember nutrition. PBJs and salad bags are friends. Except in England where the produce tastes like alcohol.
- Go to clubs to make friends! (like, book clubs; clubs with drinking/dancing are too loud)
- In fact, if you go to a drinking/dancing club, bring ear plugs. Good for concerts too.
- You can spend your own money now. Buy little treats. Buy, perhaps, a bigger treat.
- Do not mix alcohols and eat lots of bread while drinking! Don’t drink on an empty stomach.
- Boys aren’t worth it most of the time.
- Take notes in class!!
- The professor’s reading list is a good starting point for essay research. If you just got a computer, control+f to “find on page” whatever you’re looking for.
- Analysis = thing + your interpretation of the thing (Achilles is a sweet little boy. Scholar Man 1 says Achilles likes to roll around on the ground like a baby (2025, p.666). Given the propensity of sweetie pies to roll around (Scholar Man 2, 1969, p.420), this is consistent with sweet little boy behavior.)
- Everyone’s still basically children floundering like fish on the beach. None of us have our shit together.
- If you cry and freak out it’s fine I spent my first month doing nothing else
- Again, most boys probably aren’t worth it.
- Rule of thumb, cite stuff that’s new when possible. Be choosey with anything before 2000. Check to see if whatever is still the scholarly consensus.
- If you don’t really get what qualifies as plagiarism, watch Hbomberguy’s YouTube video about it. It’s very long but I promise it’s fun.
- Talk to professors! Talk in class! Be entitled! You’re collecting points for a possible recommendation letter further down the line.
- Learn to cook. I sure haven’t.
- If you work better in the mornings, work then. Nights, work then.
- “8 hours of sleep, 8 hours of work, 8 hours of anything else” is dumb. If you’re like me, eight hours of sleep several days in a row makes me start seeing demons in my peripheral vision.
- It’s all less intense than it sounds
- Thrift shops!!!!
But overall, don’t worry, it’s gonna be fine. Enjoy your classes and go have fun. Isn’t there a Yogurt Extreme by the UO campus? If you’re going there, just sit in there for six hours after class and work. Eat frozen yogurt. Spending several hours in coffee shops is the go-to. I’d be in the British Starbucks-equivalent every single day if campus and town weren’t a twenty minute hill away from each other.
Anyway, in other news, my friend Cas came over on Saturday and we lit a fire in the backyard (normal fire, not dangerous). Mom made two charcuterie boards for dinner and s’mores. It was lots of fun. One of the cats scratched a hole in my shirt, though, and Mom’s gonna help me stitch-witchery it back together.
on Tuesday I tried to walk down to the water today but it turns out that the last stretch of road has had a landslide and I can’t get around. Took my love, and took it down… My earbuds also disappeared and I found them on the road near my house. Extremely unfortunate walk overall. Yesterday we went to a concert in the park, and it was chill. We were sitting next to a bunch of kids sliding down a hill on cardboard which was very fun.
Yeah, that’s all that’s been going on. I love you. I hope you’re doing alright. I hope you’re getting your own dorm room. Maybe have some sleepovers?
With love,
Alice