8 Tips For Surviving Your Freshman Year At Marist College

Are you a Freshman at Marist? Congrats! Follow these helpful tips for getting through the first of the best four years of your life. Marist has a lot to offer, both academically and socially, but there's always things we wish we knew going into this new and amazing experience. These pieces of advice will help you cope with the pressure of being the new kids on the block. Enjoy!

1. Don’t wear your lanyard around your neck

Via marist.edu

So you were accepted into Marist and have now received your ID and lanyard, what's the first thing you do? Wear it around your neck you say? NO, don't do this. Wearing it around your neck may seem like a badge of honor, or a great way to not lose your ID, which it is, but by doing this you look like a camp counselor and are immediately identified as being a freshman... as if it wasn't obvious enough already with you looking around like a lost puppy. Put your ID in your wallet, purse, bag, or pocket. Learn to be responsible for your ID early.

2. Become best friends with people of power

Make sure all the security guards, RAs, faculty, cab drivers, bouncers, bartenders and bar owners know who you are! Start early in your college career because this will help you a great deal in the long run. Knowing security guards and RAs will help to keep you out of trouble. Being friendly and courteous with all members of faculty will help you when you want an override, help in a class, or need to get your paperwork processed timely. Finally, get to know the cab drivers (Phatz, Manny, and Ace to name a few), the bouncers, bartenders, and bar owners (Rennies' Amy and Backstreet's Lisa) as they are the ones you will be depending on for your nightlife satisfaction.

Pictured are two recent alums hanging out with Marist's favorite cab driver (middle), the man, the myth, the legend Phatz!!

3. Be active on campus

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Marist uses a system based around priority points to determine your housing situation, it's a concept that not many like, but all have to deal with. So to get the best housing on campus, aside from getting good grades, you must be active in clubs and campus activities. Love to dance? Join the Marist College Dance Ensemble. Want to give back to the community? Join Habitat for Humanity or Campus Ministry. Maybe check out Greek Life and pledge a fraternity (Theta Delta Chi, Zeta Psi, or Alpha Phi Delta) or a sorority (Tri Sigma, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Alpha Sigma Tau, or Kappa Lamda Psi). Or maybe you want to play sports, go out for the Marist Rugby Club team. More activities and clubs can be found here.

4. Don’t get lost and miss out

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Want to meet up with that cute girl or guy from your 8am that's just impossible to talk to because, well, it's 8 o'clock in the morning, or just looking to meet up with some friends? Use Tag. This app allows you to send a picture/video + geolocation to specific friends or lists of friends so you can say what's up and get directions. This free app is the best way for freshman to meet up and get acclimated with the territory. Think snapchat but actually useful.

5. Food spots that are a must

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Going to Marist gives you the opportunity to frequent one amazing spot that is a must for all students, ROSSI'S. The food at Rossi Rosticceria is hands down some of the best sandwiches, or fresh food you will be able to get, so make a point to try it out. Some other eateries that are across the street from campus and provide a nice change from the cafeteria include: Red Fox, K&D, Campus Deli,PRidge, and Palace Diner. Or you can travel up Route 9 to the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) for a very elegant and delicious meal. If you travel further up Route 9, you'll reach Eveready Diner, which was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

6. Support the Red Fox Teams and embrace the school spirit

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Going to the games is another way to gain priority points (if you sign up with the Booster Club) and a great way to meet other students. The Marist Women's Basketball team is a force to be reckoned with and their games are always exciting, especially when they're competing in the NCAA Tournament. The Marist Football team is also getting more recognition by winning the 2013 Pioneer Football League Championship. Also, for the first time in Marist history, an alumni by the name of Terrance Fede, was drafted to the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL Draft. GO RED FOXES!!

7. Fun activities in the area to take your mind off any stress

Feeling stressed with all the new pressures that come from being a freshman in college and looking for a way to take your mind off classes? Well there's some fun to be had on and off campus to ease your mind. Want to have some fun, go to the mall and experience the wonderful world of Bounce, a trampoline playground for the little kid in all of us. Or maybe go on a scenic adventure and walk the Mid-Hudson Bridge or venture to the FDR Estate. How about instead of going out, you go catch a movie at the Hyde Park Drive-In Theater, perfect for a hot date, or just to enjoy the weather with some friends. If you're not up for an adventure, then take a stroll down to the waterfront and enjoy one of the best features Marist has to offer, the beautiful view of the Hudson Valley.

Pictured is the beautiful Mid-Hudson Walking Bridge

8. Live it up!!!

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College is going to be the best four years of your life and while it will be filled with stress and social pressure to succeed, you should enjoy every second of it. Crawl out of your shell, join a club, meet new people, talk to that hot girl or guy next to you. Marist will only be as fun as you make it, so go and live with no regrets and make the most of the next amazing four years of your life!