BSU Health Education: For Freshmen Only

For Freshmen Only

Hey, Freshman
Here are a few tips for surviving your freshman year at Ball State University. These are actual comments from your fellow students when asked:

How do you protect yourself from crime on campus?

"I always lock my car." Junior, Theater Major

"I never walk alone on campus or off campus." Senior, Math Major

"I avoid walking alone and stay with my friends." Junior, Exercise Science Major

"I just stay with people I know at night." Junior, Art Major

What's the most important thing to remember when going to parties?

"I don't drink more than I can handle." Sophomore, Elementary Education Major

"I drink in moderation." Senior, Nursing Major

"I don't leave without the people I went with." Senior, Math Major

"Don't take a drink from someone you don't know." Junior, Business Major

"Never get too drunk that you don't know what you're doing." Junior, Art Major

"Take care of your friends if they're too drunk and have them do the same for you." Senior, Accounting Major

What are three things that you would say are fun to do other than partying?

"Shop, go to the movies, rollerblading." Sophomore, Elementary Education Major

"Play games with friends, watch movies." Junior, Architecture Major

"Play on the internet, shop, go outside." Junior, Fashion Major

"Reading, swimming, playing other sports." Sophomore, Marketing Major

"Visit friends at other schools, go to the pool, go to the gym." Junior, Exercise Science Major

"Hang out with friends, walk my dog to the river, exercise." Senior, Accounting Major

In your opinion, what are the major problems which result from binge drinking?

"Violence." Junior, General Studies Major

"Fights." Sophomore, Chemistry Major

"Alcoholism." Junior, Exercise Science Major

"Throwing up and blacking out." Junior, Fashion Major

"Hangovers." Senior, Accounting Major

"Black outs and violent behaviors." Sophomore, Chemistry Major

How would you define "responsible drinking"?

"Drinking moderately with a group of close friends." Junior, General Studies Major

"Not drinking until I'm drunk." Sophomore, Marketing Major

What are some major problems that you have seen resulting from drug use?

"Losing friends." Junior, Psychology Major

"Addiction." Sophomore, Marketing Major

"Memory loss." Senior, Nursing Major

"Failing out of school." Junior, General Studies Major

How many pounds of weight did you gain during your freshman year at Ball State University?

"10 lbs." Sophomore, Elementary Education Major

"0 lbs." Junior, Exercise Science Major

"20 lbs." Sophomore, Public Relations Major

"8 lbs." Senior, Journalism Major

What is the best thing about eating food in the residence halls?

"It's cheap." Sophomore, Elementary Education Major

"There's a variety." Junior, Architecture Major

"It's already cooked." Senior, History Major

"I can eat quickly." Junior, Marketing Major

"Not having to cook it." Senior, Social Work Major

What is your favorite thing to do to keep in shape?

"Taebo." Senior, Exercise Science Major

"Walking." Junior, Marketing Major

"Aerobics." Senior, Elementary Education Major

"Rollerblade." Sophomore, Elementary Education Major

"Going to the gym." Senior, Social Work Major

How do you fit exercise into your daily life at Ball State?

"I run in the mornings." Sophomore, Public Relations Major

"Between classes." Junior, Biology Major

"I really don't, but I walk to classes every day." Junior, Computer Science

"Before and after classes." Sophomore, Elementary Education Major

What do you do when you are stressed?

"I watch a movie." Senior, Advertising Major

"I take a walk" Senior, Geography Major

"Talk to friends." Junior, Elementary Education Major

"I read a novel." Junior Social Work Major

"I take a soaking in a bath." Sophomore, Psychology Major

"Sleep or cry." Junior, Computer Science Major

When you came to Ball State, what was the best part of not living at home?

"I was able to do whatever I wanted." Junior, Computer Science Major

"Freedom." Senior, Social Work Major

"No one asking me questions." Junior, Biology Major

"No rules and accepting responsibility for myself." Senior, Psychology Major

What was the worst part of not living at home?

"Bills." Senior, Psychology Major

"I missed my family." Junior, Computer Science Major

"Paying for everything myself." Junior, Biology Major

"The food wasn't as good." Sophomore, General Studies Major

"Not seeing familiar faces everyday." Senior, Geography Major

"Having to make all new friends." Senior, Social Work Major

How did you meet your closest friends at Ball State?

"Work." Senior, Psychology Major

"The dorms." Junior, Biology Major

"Greek Life." Senior, Social Work Major

"Aerobic classes and going to the gym." Junior, Exercise Science Major

How often did you keep in touch with your old friends from high school?

"Once a month.." Sophomore, Marketing Major

"About once every two months." Junior, Exercise Science Major

"Almost every weekend." Graduate Student, Elementary Education Major

"One or two times a month, maybe a little more." Sophomore, Art Major

"Not very often at all, maybe once every two or three months." Junior, Business Major

What was the best thing about going home and seeing the family for the first time that freshman year?

"The familiarity of home." Senior, Psychology Major

"It was hard to leave and come back to Ball State." Sophomore, Art Major

"Eating real food again." Sophomore, Marketing Major

"Hanging out with my high school friends." Junior, Business Major

"Playing with my little cousins and brother." Junior, Exercise Science Major

What was the worst part about going home and seeing the family for the first time that freshman year?

"When they would ask me a million questions about everything!." Junior, Business Major

"I missed them even more when I came back here." Graduate Student, Elementary Education

"All the questions and concerns." Sophomore, Marketing Major

"Too many questions." Senior, Psychology Major

Who do you feel the most comfortable with to discuss sex?

"My boyfriend." Senior, Psychology Major

"My friends." Sophomore, Art Major

"People I am close to, like my friends and sister." Senior, Accounting Major

"My close friends." Junior, Telecommunication Major

"My girlfriend." Senior, Entrepreneur Major

What do you think of people that don't use condoms?

"Best of luck to them. I hope they don't get pregnant or diseases." Sophomore, Art Major

"They are dumb." Junior, Telecommunications Major

"Obviously, they don't know about the dangers of unprotected sex, or they don't care." Sophomore, Health Education Major

"Idiots!" Junior, Architecture Major

"Everyone gets to make a choice, but they're not making a very good one." Senior Entrepreneur

"They aren't the most intelligent people." Junior, Exercise Science Major

How do you protect yourself from unwanted sex?

"I don't put myself into compromising situations." Junior, Exercise Science Major

"I guess I am always aware of who is around me." Junior, English Major

"Not being alone with people who make me uncomfortable." Junior, Computer Science Major

"Saying NO!" Senior, Accounting Major

How do you protect yourself from colds and flu during the winter?

"Getting plenty of rest and taking vitamins everyday." Junior, Telecommunications Major

"Eating right and sleeping right." Junior, Architecture Major

"I really don't do anything." Senior, Accounting Major

"I dress for the weather." Junior, Exercise Science Major

"Drink plenty of fluids and sleep 7-8 hours a night." Junior, English Major

"Take vitamins regularly." Senior, Entrepreneur Major

"Dressing warm and eating healthy." Sophomore, Health Education Major

"I guess by trying to stay away from my friends when they're sick." Junior, Computer Science Major