College Q&A

We know many of you have questions about what college is going to be like so we had a few local college students answer questions from high school seniors (congrats, grads!). We hope their responses make you all feel a bit more prepared for what’s ahead.

NADIA

University of New Orleans

Thank you to our experts (who at the time of the interview were college freshmen and sophomores): A huge thanks to our awesome team member Melanie Carbery for making this feature happen and sharing her insights as well!

Is it better to pick a roommate or go random?

Melanie: I lived in a triple my freshman year, and I had one roommate that I picked and one randomly picked for me. I ended up getting along MUCH better with my random roommate than the one I picked, and honestly, I’m grateful for it. Part of the fun of college is in trying new things and meeting new people, and while it’s great to live with someone you’re friends with, it can prevent you from branching out.

Abigail: I absolutely believe picking a roommate is better. I personally roomed with a good friend of mine from high school and we had very few issues throughout the whole semester. As for roommate matching programs, the ones who took the time to try to find a roommate who was like them had less issues than those who roomed with someone they knew or those that picked a random person. Even if you don’t think this matters because you are not a picky person, keep in mind that you have to share a room with the person for a whole year or semester. If it’s not a good match, it can cause stress or extra issues that you don’t need to deal with during an already stressful semester.

Maddie: My class was quick to set up a GroupMe where we could share our interests and expectations in a roommate and that helped me find someone I could happily share a room with.

How do I know which rooming style is best for me?

Melanie: Here’s the thing: you probably don’t, and that might be a good thing. There are benefits to each type of rooming style, and even if your situation isn’t perfect, you’ll learn a lot in the process. Just make sure you are honest with yourself and with your school (if they have a housing survey to help place you), because then you will have a much higher chance of ending up in a rooming situation that works for you.

How bad are communal bathrooms? How do I best deal with them?

Abigail: My dorm is suite style so I share a bathroom with only three other people. My only experience with a hall communal bathroom was when I stayed in my friend’s hall. I had to use a shower caddy to carry my stuff in because there were no shelves. You also may want to buy shower shoes just to be extra sure you don’t get any form of fungus. I’ve never heard of anyone who got a fungus from the showers, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Melanie: Honestly, they can be rough, but they’re fine the vast majority of the time and can also create a sense of community on your floor. I actually shared a bathroom with four other girls my freshman year and then with my whole floor my sophomore year, and I would definitely say that the bathroom was dirtier my freshman year than my sophomore year!

How easy is it to get involved in clubs and activities on campus?

Kai: Even with a rigorous academic schedule, it is quite easy to be involved in clubs and activities. At the beginning of the school year, you can sign up to be a part of different clubs to see if you are interested. I’m a commuter and still found a lot of stuff to do, whether it was in between classes or after I was done for the day. They help keep things from just being about academics and they can help with stress relief too.

Abigail: LSU is very good about advertising its clubs and activities. There’s a club fair at the beginning of the year during the first week that showcases all sorts of clubs and activities. There are also other events and online resources that help you find and connect with different clubs. I’m personally involved in AIChE [professional organization for chemical engineers] and LSU club soccer, and I’ve found that most clubs are very flexible if your schedule doesn’t completely align with meetings.

Are sororities cliquey like in the movies?

Nadia: Depends on the school and the sorority. Generally, all the sorority girls I’ve spoken to are super chill and not at all like the stereotype in movies.

Kai: The sisterhood and bond is definitely there, but they communicate with everyone. They host events on campus and welcome everyone.

Abigail: My roommate is in a sorority and I believe sororities can be cliquey in certain ways. Sorority girls do a lot of events with each other, whether that is parties or community service. Because they are around their sisters so often, they can form cliquey groups. They also make a lot of friends in other sororities through parties, which can create more cliques. I think whether or not a girl is cliquey depends on the individual. My roommate is friendly and inviting to the people she meets, but others are less so.

What is the best way to keep in touch with parents and siblings while I’m in college? I don’t want to be on my phone all the time and miss out, but I want to stay updated on their lives.

Nadia: I think trying to call them at least once a week and texting them with little updates during your free time is the best way to go.

Abigail: I call my mom when I walk back from the last class at the end of the day because it is on the opposite side of campus from my dorm. We have just enough time to talk about the week, but it is short enough to where it is not drawn out. Short calls help me stay in touch with parents, and Snapchat is helpful for staying in touch with my brothers. It is important to stay in touch, but I think you should only do it like once a week to not take away from the experience.

How can I eat healthy in college? Are there always healthy options available? 

Kai: Eating healthy in college is a bit of a challenge. However, it isn’t impossible. The café at Xavier provides a lot of healthier options, also vegan choices, plus there are some extra restaurants on campus with healthy options. If push comes to shove, buy healthy snacks whenever you do your grocery shopping. Drink lots of water, stay away from the vending machines, and try not to snack TOO much while doing homework and studying.

Are professors willing to work with you or will they just blow you off?

Maddie: Professors are ALWAYS (in my experience) looking to help you and work with you. If you’re struggling with a concept or anything at all, definitely schedule an appointment or just check in during office hours. It seriously relieves so much anxiety.

Kai: Professors will work with you if you work with them. They let you know their office hours at the beginning of the semester and you have to take it from there. It’s good to go to office hours because not only will you receive help, but you will also build relationships with professors. Therefore, when you need help with other classes, advice, or even letters of recommendation, they’re there to help you out.

Do most students have jobs while they are in college and is that recommended? 

Melanie: Having a job during college is definitely not easy, but a huge proportion of students manage it and gain a lot of valuable experience along the way. I wouldn’t recommend seeking something right away in your first semester—unless necessary—but after that it’s a great opportunity and I would recommend it!

Maddie: Personally, my grades tanked while I was working and going to school at the same time so I wouldn’t rush into getting a job your first semester until you get a handle on your studies.

Abigail: Everyone I know at LSU has had a job, whether through LSU or off campus. I had a job working with a professor as part of my scholarship. I believe it’s important to have a job because it helps you learn to manage your time early on while also giving you money to pay for college, but this may not be true for everyone because some people have very busy schedules.

Nadia: On-campus jobs are a must. I love mine. It’s super easy, I get decent pay, the hours aren’t crazy, they accommodate my schedule, AND I get to study and do homework on the clock.

How do I save money during college?

Kai: The best way to save money in college is to spend money on only what is important. Always buy your necessities first. The outfit for the party or basketball game in two weeks can wait, sis! Try not to spend too much money on eating out or snacks. You can even set goals for how much you want to save for the week or month.

Nadia: If you have a meal plan, use it. Don’t eat out four times a week and not use your meal plan. That’s wasting money.

Maddie: Cut out any expenses from your budget that you don’t need to live. That cute pair of shoes at Urban Outfitters that’s on sale? You probably don’t need it and the money can be better spent elsewhere.