Rules to Surviving Freshman Year

Freshmen: Take notes off these key and crucial rules to having fun, keeping a good rep, and surviving first semester.

Rule #1: Don’t be the drunk, sloppy girl that can probably map out who lives in what room in every frat house. For us ladies, survival of the fittest is who can withstand the fake flattery and oh-too tempting sleepovers with frat boys the longest.

Rule #2: Get a planner. Staying organized is essential and there is no better way to do it than writing it out on a tangible schedule.

Rule #3: Make friends with your roommate. It is so much easier to go out and meet people with someone by your side…that extra boost of confidence is always a plus! The buddy system is the key to making it back to your room most nights.

Rule #4: GO OUT and meet as many people as you can. Don’t stick to a specific clique because you will end up limiting yourself to a small group. Everyone will be looking for friends to latch onto, so take advantage of the opportunity!

Rule #5: Get involved. You’ll find yourself with a shocking amount of down time this semester so why not get involved! It’s a great way to meet even more people and start building your résumé early.

Rule #6: Don’t take too heavy of a load for classes…ease into classes until you get the jist of it. You will be extremely overwhelmed when trying to balance 18 hours and a strong social life your first semester, so why not take 13-15 to let yourself get situated and figure out how this college thing works.

Rule #7: Go to class and look halfway decent…teachers understand that you are a freshman but they appreciate attendance and might be slightly easier on you for just purely showing up to that 8 am…and not in your outfit from last night.

Rule #8: Go home for fall break and catch up with the family…detox…and take a little breather. Although you might not be too homesick, your parents miss you like crazy and your liver might need the rest.

Rule #9: Stay away from becoming boy crazy. Don't think that hot frat guy is telling you the truth when he says, “you’re different” or “come over and watch a movie”…at 2 in the AM. A frat guy is a frat guy and vulnerable freshman excited for “college experiences” isn’t going to change that.

Rule #10: Don’t tell anyone what sorority you want to be in or start fantasizing that you’re already in one…a lot can change during rush week and you never know who is listening…

Rule #11: Never drink more than three banditos margaritas at once…or the toilet will be your new best friend for the night. Sometimes three is even pushing it…but if you’ve got it paired with some chips and queso, you should be fine.

Rule #13: Do not bring your credit card out…only cash…or you will be broke after you drunkenly buy the whole bar a round.

Rule #14: Sorority betches are always watching…don’t show up to Pike Mansion in your best lingerie because they will find you…and they will remember you.

Rule #15: Don’t forget that alcohol has calories and that SMU offers an awesome gym…PROVE THAT FRESHMAN 15 WRONG!

Rule #16: Freshman year is the best year of your life. Remember to experience every minute of the boulevards, southern hospitality, and the freedom of college. Enjoy being a baby ‘stang. 

Eating Healthy at Umphrey Lee

Staying skinny as a freshman is hard enough with the drinking, hangovers, and resulting lack of energy for the gym. Having to eat at umph with a hangover also plays a major role in those few extra pounds that just keep increasing every time you step on the scale, especially when you wake up craving something greasy and the first thing you see walking into that god forsaken cafeteria is fresh pizza, a pasta line, and the smell of freshly baked, warm, just out of the oven cookies. Like, are they trying to make us women fat? I’m still convinced yes, but there are ways to get around it.

The omelets are a great choice for protein and some veggies to start your day, but watch out for those sneaky cafeteria workers because they tend to smother it with oil right before the egg is added. Ask for the spray instead and maybe swap for the egg whites, and of course don’t forget to add your veggies!

Another great option umph offers that I always overlooked freshman year because of my desperate need for carbs is the vegan section. Fresh brown rice and grilled veggies are common items in that area, and though it might not sound too satisfying or appetizing, you will thank yourself later when you’re squeezing into your tight little outfit on Thursday at Avenu.

The sandwich and salad bars are another great place to create a low cal lunch. You can never go wrong sticking to greens and lean proteins, or maybe even tofu! Sometimes if you are lucky the person behind the counter will happily make you a wrap or sandwich of your choice, but try sticking to the spinach wrap or whole wheat bread…it may not be as tasty as sourdough but it sure is better for your legs.

My last word of advice is to never make your self more than one plate. The minute your stack of plates is so high that you have to balance it to get to the cleaning station, you are in trouble. Big trouble. Oh and NEVER go near the frozen yogurt section. It is terribly addicting…especially when you mix the vanilla froyo with peanut butter or strategically squish it between two cookies for something close to a pokios ice cream sandwich. Remember that moderation is key – don’t forget that you can splurge on weekends or the occasional hump day, just know that there are ways to balance your diet in umph.