Debunking college stereotypes

Throughout the semester, a select group of ASU freshmen will be blogging about their first year as Sun Devils. In the same way that graduation serves as a milestone marker for both students and the university, the freshman year experience is one of significant formation as it sets the foundation for academic excellence. 

Mark's blog:

As it is with all things, understanding is an eventuality of time. The light of comprehension begins to shine through the fog of ignorant stereotypes and clichés. Cutting through the manner in which college is typecast will take all of four years, I’m sure; however, at least a few sterotypes of university life have begun to melt away in the half-dozen weeks the Class of 2014 has been on campus.

Sterotype 1: “Who cares about lectures anyway?! Who even does those?"

Showing up for class seems optional to some, now that mommy and daddy no longer have to call us out of class. I mean, why not just grab a nap and some late lunch out on the quad? Well, my friends, the invention of the lecture quiz and “key test terms” have made it so your GPA won’t be too chipper. My advice? If your professor wants to call molecular compounds “combiballs,” make sure you come to every class and play ball. Thankfully, my favorite lecture class is quite bearable; inorganic chemistry with Dr. Briggs is almost as much fun as the movies.

Sterotype 2: “Everyone in college drinks all weekend.”

The party scene is the only way to go, right? Forty-eight hours of party-hopping is a must for anyone and everyone looking for something to do after class Thursday till ... mid-afternoon Sunday.

The truth is, my friends and I have found almost too many other ways to do the weekend right. Capture the Flag at Barrett on Thursday nights is a surefire way to get some exercise and a lil’ competition as the bells strikes midnight. The next day, when everyone is TGIFing, the gyms at the SRC or Barrett have been the best ways to relax and enjoy my friends company. Men’s and Women’s intramural football always makes an interesting spectacle if your pigskin cravings can’t hold out from Sunday to Sunday. Climbing “A" mountain for a great view of Tempe isn’t a bad idea either.

But hey, don’t take my word for it, try it yourself. Freshman year thus far has been a lot of hard work in the classes I love, keepin’ on my toes, and running myself ragged around campus with my pledge brothers and my roommate Jeff every spare second of the day. We’re all loving every minute of it so far.

Mark Krystinak is an incoming freshman who is majoring in biological sciences. He is originally from Schaumburg, Ill.