Things I wish I knew before coming to UAlbany

Each summer, the University at Albany sends freshmen-to-be a checklist of things they will need in order to be properly primed for college.

Usually, it is comprised of some pretty basic stuff: fan, desk lamp, sheets, etc. But this preparatory list doesn't clue future-freshmen in on the important things, like the necessity of throwing elbows when trying to get on the downtown bus during weekend nights, or the fact that the Albany weather transitions from scorching summer straight into painfully-frigid winter, with only a breath of fall in between.

There are quite a few things which I would have appreciated being in the know about before first starting school here three years ago-things that I had to learn the hard way.

The food here isn't as bad as everybody says it is … it's actually much worse. I somehow managed to endure Chartwells for two long years. During that time, I was seriously troubled by foods that had names like "Mashed Potatoes 101" (do I really want to eat a side dish that was made by a beginner?) and "Meatless Patties" (instead of telling us what it isn't, why not tell us what it actually is?).

The most disturbing dishes of all had components that were in quotation marks; I once encountered some sort of dish in which the word "chicken" was in quotations - this is never a good thing. I'm not saying that the food here rates as one of the worst out of all college campuses nationwide - I've actually had visiting friends make remarks that the food at Albany was much better than at their own school. But it definitely isn't anything like the meals that mom make.

One of the best things about college is the opportunity to dress up for Halloween again. But there is a serious difference between the kind of costumes that you sported while trick-or-treating as a kid, and the kind that college students will be wearing out on this festive night.

Most girls will be dressed as if they were about to do a photo shoot for the Frederick's of Hollywood catalogue. This certainly does not mean that you are expected to dress like a streetwalker for Halloween - but definitely steer clear of costumes that require cross-dressing, wearing a hideous mask, or putting on a fat suit. Here's another hint in case there's still any confusion: a costume doesn't earn the title "uni-sex" for its overt level of sex appeal. And guys: when considering a costume, it's important to ask yourselves, "If I got separated from my friends, would I be able to walk the streets alone in this without getting beat up?"

While on the topic of clothes, do not dress up for a theme party unless your plans to go to that party are absolutely definite. Coordinating your attire with that of your friends requires a serious commitment. There's nothing worse than changing your plans once you are already downtown and then having to roll into a club with six of your friends while all of you are dressed in head-to-toe white.

Being Facebook friends with someone does not make you friends in real-life. Sounds odd but hey - I don't completely understand it either. Some people who you have seen around campus will add you on Facebook. Maybe they will even leave you a wall post. But when you see them again in the real world, they will treat you like a complete stranger. Evidently, these people don't want to get to know you - they would just like to have the option of cyber-stalking you. Knowing this ahead of time will spare both you and your new Facebook pal from a potentially awkward encounter. If they don't wave to you in public, you probably shouldn't wave either.

Joining a sorority or fraternity is not mandatory in order to have friends. Indeed, there are people on campus whose friendship doesn't come at the cost of a straight week of physical and emotional tormenting. Contrary to popular belief, there is a decent amount of students who don't end up converting to the Greek lifestyle. While being a part of a sorority or fraternity can provide an abundance of fun social opportunities, there's certainly no shame in making friends the old-fashioned way.

Being in Albany without a car is worse than those pre-license high school days. At least then you had mom and dad to chauffeur you around - now you have to fend for yourself! Befriending a sophomore with a car on campus is essential-if anything, it's more important than making "Dean's List of Distinguished Students" for the semester. Yes, this is a bold statement, and sure, Dean's List would look great on your résumé, but it won't get you a ride to Walmart and back.

Sometimes, cruel upper-classmen like to rag on impressionable, young freshmen. One might walk by and say something like: "Wow, I really HATE freshmen!" - leaving you in the dust to wonder what you did to make him hate you so much and how he knew that you were a freshman. But the truth is, we were all freshmen at one point, and we were all just as awkward and clueless. To be honest, the older students are actually jealous-their college years are numbered and yours are just beginning.