Swain is a junior marketing and writing double major and can be reached at [email protected]

1. Attend the fall activities fair. On Aug. 31 from 4-7 p.m. in Helmick Commons, all students can learn about the many organizations Drake has on campus. This is a fun way to meet new peo1ple and discover new interests. Surely there is something at this for everyone!

2. Meet someone from another country. Many of us only know people from our own culture and haven’t had the opportunity to meet others with different backgrounds. There are some wonderful people here at Drake if you just take the time to stop and converse with others you may not normally meet.

3. Participate in intramurals. If you love sports but didn’t have the chance to be a college athlete, here’s your chance. There are teams for volleyball, basketball, floor hockey, soccer and so much more. If you aren’t that competitive but want to play for fun, there are also leagues that you can join regardless of your skill level.

4. Watch the Student Activities Board’s musician on Aug. 26. This year the musician is Preston Pugmire, a one-man band who will surely entertain. Best of all, it is free to all Drake students!

5. Utilize your independence. Doing all your own laundry and dishes and preparing your own meals can become daunting. It doesn’t have to be like pulling teeth. Make sure to stay on top of things when you do have that small amount of free time during the semester. Letting things pile up can create unnecessary stress.

6. Watch a Drake sporting event. Your Drake ID will get you into any Drake event free. Our sports teams never get the fan bases they deserve, so this would be a great way to support the blue and white!

7. Go to your classes. While this seems to be obvious, you have to attend the first session in each of your classes in the semester to ensure you stay enrolled in that class. If you don’t attend, you may be dropped from the class.

8. Meet others in your hall. Sure, you know some of them if they are from your FYS, but go ahead and leave your door open so others who walk by can stop and chat. Better yet, be one of those traveling down the halls to meet other students.