The dawn of a new school year is coming, and with it a batch of new faces fresh off from high school. So to the freshmen, welcome to De La Salle University! You have at least the next three years to make it your home, and between meeting new people, keeping up with the workload, or possibly living in a new place, it can get a little difficult adjusting to your new university. You’ll get there eventually, but we’ve provided you with some tips to help ease the transition.
Love your ID
DLSU is one of the most difficult universities to get into without an ID, so bringing it is a must. Fear not, however, if you do leave it at home, as you can get a campus pass in select entrances. Just note that three strikes will warrant you a minor offense and community service. Losing your ID, on the other hand, will bag you a fine, and on the third time, required attendance to the Student Disciplinary Formation Office’s Values Clarification and Development Program.
At least you don’t have to wear it on a strap around campus.
For more information on the ID policy, check out this student discipline Formation Office policy refresher: http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/announcements/default.asp?id=4865
Be syllabus-conscious
These magical sheets of paper contain your course’s topics, objectives, and future activities, as well as your professor’s grading system—basically, the next 14 weeks of your academic life in print.
This isn’t high school anymore, and your teachers won’t always remind you that the deadline for your next project is a meeting away, so take your time to go over it to avoid any surprises throughout the term.
Always have P5
You’ll be seeing Emilio Aguinaldo a lot during your college stay. He can buy you candy on the way to your next class, get your homework printed, provide alms for those in need, and many other deeds you’d expect from the first President. Oh, and Jose Rizal works as well.
Be waterproof
The expectations are higher for college students, their ability to be waterproof included. You now have to wait for Signal No. 3 for classes to be automatically suspended, so make sure you come prepared with your boots, jackets, and umbrellas. We also don’t suggest you bring your best pair of shoes on a rainy day—unless you’re looking for a free wash in DLSU’s seasonal lagoon.
Say cheese
Index cards and ID pictures are your professors’ tools to know you better, so most likely they will be asking for them at the beginning of every term. Most professors ask for 1×1 pictures and 3×5 index cards, but it doesn’t hurt to have a stash of different sizes ready for this, and remember to flaunt your best angle!
Don’t crowd the hallways
Frosh are known for hanging out in big groups and often chastised for blocking the hallways. If you don’t want to get in trouble with the upperclassmen, make sure you don’t block the way.
Textbooks for less
Books are essential in your college life, but these can also be quite expensive, especially textbooks. But don’t fret! You can purchase pre-loved books from the Student Cooperative’s Buy Back Books stalls every start of the term, or borrow books from the University Learning Commons, or OVPIA’s Pahiram Libro program. Downloading free e-books, photocopying sections you need, or borrowing from upper classmen who have taken the class before can also help you save a lot!
Be early
Tardiness counts as half an absence, and you’re only allotted five absences in most classes, so unless you want to walk up ten flights of stairs for that class in Andrew, think twice about hitting that snooze button.
Also, make sure you hit the road early because traffic around Taft is notoriously bad, and it’ll get even worse once school starts for St. Scholastica’s College.
Recheck your EAF
Stories abound of students attending a class, only to realize midway that they’re in the wrong room. You might want to check your EAF twice, thrice, or even more times to make sure you’re in the right place.
Branch out
It’s easy to just stick with your block throughout your first year, but it’s a good idea to look for an organization to join. DLSU has a variety of different orgs so there’s bound to be at least one that caters to your interests. Aside from building your résumé, it’s also a great way to meet people from all sorts of places.