Going to College

Are you experiencing the joy (and terror) of leaving home and going to school? You won't believe how much you're going to learn, both in class and out. Here are some things to keep in mind as you get started.

1. Act out. It's tough to leave home, especially if you're leaving a nice one. That's why, during your last year of high school, you need to get really unpleasant -- so everyone (including you) can feel relieved, not sad, when you go.
2. What if I'm a geek? Your roommate is as worried about meeting you as you are about him. Most of the time, your toys will be as cool and up-to-date as his.
3. It's never too late to grow up. You'll be amazed at how much your parents have matured in the short time between your leaving for college and Thanksgiving.
4. No shame in getting help. If you find that college is way harder than high school, chances are your high school didn't prepare you for this level of work. Consider getting some tutoring.
5. They can't do that -- can they? Unfortunately, the Fourth Amendment, which protects us against most unannounced searches and seizures, hasn't made it into your RA's rule book. An uninvited visit to check for beer in the fridge is probably okay.
6. You'll find your tribe. Science majors often become clearer thinkers than English majors. However, English majors may catch up when they inevitably enter law school (what else can they do?). Where do you fit?
7. The credit wave. You'll be bombarded with credit card offers. Don't fall for them -- it's really easy to get out of control. (You may already be out of control in other ways, but we won't address that here.)
8. You really are a grownup. Most colleges won't discuss your grades or your health with your parents. That could be a blessing, or it could be a problem. Either way, you are en route to being on your own.
9. Make connections. A personal relationship with a teacher who will write you a thoughtful letter of recommendation is worth at least two-tenths of a grade point.
10. Now for the important stuff. You can date your roommate's steady, skip every class but the final, and borrow every book -- but never, ever, wash your darks with your lights.

Don't waste time in college taking staid courses like history and math when you have these classes available:

• "Philosophy and Star Trek" at Georgetown University.
• "The Art of Sin and the Sin of Art" at Rhode Island School of Design (the catalog promises that you'll "lust with the saints and burn with the sinners").
• "Daytime Serials: Family and Social Roles" at the University of Wisconsin.
• "From Pot to Pills: Exploring the World of Recreational Drugs," offered at the University of California, Santa Barbara.