The Georgia Institute of Technology

If you are stressed out and/or having social, family, financial, or grade problems, the people around you are generally operating with so little reserves left that they cannot form a support system or safety net. Your friends can cheer you up but they are generally not able to actually help you. The Dean of Students Office provides assistance services that you should take advantage of; my experience there would have been better if I had.

I would recommend that GT students forge ties with people their own age outside of GT and get off campus when possible.

Even in cattle-call first and second year classes, I never had any professors who were just bastards, save one. He was a Physics professor who took up a sample of homework assignment folders every day at random (there had to be over 100 kids in the class) and he dinged mine for not being current - he wrote some snotty comment like "How do you expect to pass when you don't put in the time?" My folder wasn't current because his lectures were a day behind the homework schedule, basically - and I decided I'd go see him about it because I didn't want his opinion of me (blip though I would have been on his screen) to be based on a comment like that especially since it was *his* schedule that had slipped. While arguing with him about this in his office, I got fed up with him calling me "Mr. Doe" over and over again and I finally said, "Look, just call me 'John'," to which he replied, "I always call my students by their last names." I said, "I think that if you can be so personal with me as to write a note like that in my folder, you can be personal enough with me to call me by my first name." He fell silent, and then he apologized. After that, we had a real nice conversation, especially since I was genuinely interested in the field. I think that was one of the first conflicts I ever had that I resolved maturely.

Speaking of which: by and large, Georgia Tech professors will respond favorably to you if you actually give a rat's about the material. If you don't, change your major. A few of the "shaftiest" professors will bend over backwards if you come to them with a good attitude seeking help. It's easy to find out what their research areas are in without even asking them; chat them up about their research.

Some high school graduates must really dream about getting into a fraternity or sorority once they hit college. My opinion of Greek organizations was low then, and after almost 20 years of mellowing out, I think it's a bad idea. That doesn't mean you should avoid Greeks; in fact, it's probably a real good idea to have a few as friends so that you're welcome at their houses. But, the toll in time, money, attention, dignity - I just don't see the payoff. Fraternity rushing still seems to center around some sort of debasing and cruel activity, and while that's probably not universal, it's not as though you can really research these things.

Unless someone is holding a gun to your head to graduate by such-and-such a semester, take light loads and genuinely try to enjoy yourself. Find school activities that draw people you're compatible with.

Take advantage of the exercise facilities.
Distinguish yourself. In a group where everyone dresses the same? Dress a bit differently. Don't overdo it, but be expressive and subtly memorable. Only go to Georgia Tech if they offer a program that you're really interested in. If you're a science/technology type but can't decide on a major, don't bother deciding for a couple of semesters or pick one that seems okay knowing that you can switch.