TOP TEN TIPS FOR INCOMING STUDENTS:

9) Don’t miss class.  The average college graduate makes roughly $600,000 more in lifetime earnings than a person having only a high school diploma. That’s $75,000 per 15-week semester, or $5,000 per week when factored over the four years of a college education. Thus, at a potential loss of $1,000 per day in additional lifetime income, the cost of missing classes really adds up!

8) Never ask the question “Will we be doing anything important in class today?”

7) Don’t Cheat.  The average professor spent four years in college and five years in graduate school.  That’s nine years of experience with cheating (not counting high school.)  You will be caught.

6)  Be nice.  You don’t have to like everyone, (and they certainly don’t have to like you) but you do need to get along.  Remember:  What GOES around COMES around.

5) Most students spend over $300 on textbooks.  You might want to READ them!

4) A new poll shows that many FIRST YEAR students study less than 10 hours a week.  In their SECOND FIRST YEAR, they study significantly more.

3) People who study in groups of two or three tend to do better than people who study alone.  People who study in groups of 4 or more tend to end up drunk (politically correct version replaces drunk with partying).

2) There are two kinds of students.  Students who see their advisors BEFORE there’s a problem and students who ARE problems.  What kind are you?  Go see your advisor this fall.

1) Finally, “Yes, we’re having class on Friday.”

{This top ten list was first read at Penn State Altoona's 2nd Annual Convocation 8/26/2002.}