Best advice for incoming freshman?

[SYRFlyer]

I'm seeking the expertise of all you current UND students..Looking back to when you made the transition to college life at UND, what can you say would be the best advice for a fresh? I have already visited and really liked what I saw. My current instructor also works for Cirrus and says UND has it's ducks in order when it comes to flight training. Thanks!

[Joekster]

First of all if you want to make any money in the next 10 years, don't go aviation, because any one who goes into avitiation for the money at all, is highly delusional.

I've just been researching PFT, very depressing. Have you guys heard about it?

[SYRFlyer]

I think we can all agree that were not going into aviation to become rich.

[UND_Flyer]

Best advice for incoming freshman?

Don't come here!

[edubs]

Never EVER wear your ID tag outside the airport. This means...NO in class, NO walking around Odegard, NO in the car...just on the ramp or in the building out at the airport...you will seriously get made fun of..

[UAL747400]

Originally Posted by edubs

Never EVER wear your ID tag outside the airport. This means...NO in class, NO walking around Odegard, NO in the car...just on the ramp or in the building out at the airport...you will seriously get made fun of..

Psh, I dont even wear that thing in the buildings.

My advice is get out and do stuff. I didn't hardly do a thing freshman year and it sucked because of it. This year is a total 180 for the most part from last year.

Also, if you're going to talk about aviation in the dinning center, I suggest only talking about how far along you are in your flight lab, or problems/successes you are having. Do not sit there and talk about the hydrolic system on a 747 or how much thrust is produced by a CRJ or something just a dorky as that. mmmkayyyy

[Snickersnwa]

Just be yourself, and have fun here. Also, wearing your ID badge really isn't all that bad... Seriously though, join some sort of organization. It'll help you meet people, make friends, and network. I know you'll prolly hear that a lot... but it's the truth. There are a lot of them to choose from (doesn't even have to be aviation related) but, pick something that you like.

[TXaviator]

Originally Posted by UAL747400

Also, if you're going to talk about aviation in the dinning center, I suggest only talking about how far along you are in your flight lab, or problems/successes you are having. Do not sit there and talk about the hydrolic system on a 747 or how much thrust is produced by a CRJ or something just a dorky as that. mmmkayyyy

i wouldnt even go that far. avoid talk of aviation unless at the airport or inside classrooms in the avit buildings. nothing irritates me more than just getting OUT of my aviation class and some nitwit is running his mouth about more nerdy aviation ****.

GET A HOBBY.

find something you like to do OTHER than aviation. become well rounded. get a hobby, work a job, play intramural sports, visit other cities, be active and diverse in your interests and abilities.

dont be a one-trick-pony.

(and as previously suggested, find a different school to go to.)

[Snickersnwa]

Originally Posted by TXaviator

i wouldnt even go that far. avoid talk of aviation unless at the airport or inside classrooms in the avit buildings. nothing irritates me more than just getting OUT of my aviation class and some nitwit is running his mouth about more nerdy aviation ****.

GET A HOBBY.

find something you like to do OTHER than aviation. become well rounded. get a hobby, work a job, play intramural sports, visit other cities, be active and diverse in your interests and abilities.

dont be a one-trick-pony.

(and as previously suggested, find a different school to go to.)

Some people like to continue their aviation discussions outside of class... nothing wrong with that... I wouldn't call those people nitwits; some people enjoy aviation more than you do i guess. If you're talking to someone who cares about what you're talking about, you'll be all right. I do agree that diversifying yourself is a good idea though.

[TXaviator]

Originally Posted by Snickersnwa

Some people like to continue their aviation discussions outside of class... nothing wrong with that... I wouldn't call those people nitwits; some people enjoy aviation more than you do i guess. If you're talking to someone who cares about what you're talking about, you'll be all right. I do agree that diversifying yourself is a good idea though.

well, the guy was asking for advice, and i gave it to him.

i am presuming he would like to get laid once in a while.

[Snickersnwa]

Originally Posted by TXaviator

well, the guy was asking for advice, and i gave it to him.

i am presuming he would like to get laid once in a while.

haha... like I said, knowing who you're talking to is the key.

[CRJ700]

North Dakota is a big change from Syracuse man, when looking back at my transition last year, I think the best idea to do early in the year is meet as many people as you can and just act regular, take 102 in the fall and study, everything else will fall into place, I wouldn't worry too much, lots of other kids are in the same boat as you. Latz.

[AngelFuree]

Originally Posted by UAL747400

Psh, I dont even wear that thing in the buildings.

Geez, you're right....I take that thing off immediately after I go inside the building coming in from the ramp. I hate that ID badge....so dorky...lol

[SYRFlyer]

Well, I'm looking forward to it. I figure I already know what winter is like, but I'm sure ND is 5x worse than Syracuse. I hope to join some non-aviation related classes as I agree with ya'll that it gets old talking about planes 24/7.

[JaceTheAce]

Wow, you're from NY... the good thing is there are a lot of people from NY that you can make friends with. They're in the same boat as you.

If I were you, I'd work on finding potential roommates to get an apartment with after you spend a semester or two in the dorms (that is if you actually WANT to try the dorms)...because most people determine that...well...yeah...cinderblock jail cells (ie, the dorm rooms) and loud music @ 4am can only be dealt with for so long... oh yeah, and dorm food. Let's just put it this way, I'd rather eat at McDonald's than eat the UND dorm food. But the advantage to living in a dorm is you get to meet a lot of people...but then again, I never lived in the dorms and met a lot of great people.

[SYRFlyer]

Originally Posted by JaceTheAce

Wow, you're from NY... the good thing is there are a lot of people from NY that you can make friends with. They're in the same boat as you.

If I were you, I'd work on finding potential roommates to get an apartment with after you spend a semester or two in the dorms (that is if you actually WANT to try the dorms)...because most people determine that...well...yeah...cinderblock jail cells (ie, the dorm rooms) and loud music @ 4am can only be dealt with for so long... oh yeah, and dorm food. Let's just put it this way, I'd rather eat at McDonald's than eat the UND dorm food. But the advantage to living in a dorm is you get to meet a lot of people...but then again, I never lived in the dorms and met a lot of great people.

I think many people at UND are probably from downstate NY..maybe around the NYC area? I dunno. Like when I say I'm from NY everyone always thinks of NYC when really it's a whole different world in central NY. I will be trying the dorms and the food..I put Dakota Hall as my first choice as it looked the best (no cinderblocks).

[edubs]

Ya, finding another hobby is a great idea. Also, I guess talking about aviation isn't a bad thing. If it's with your friends and such. I mean be proud of your major but don't be cocky...there are too many people here that do that, which in turn, makes people of other major's hate the aviation program. Joining an orginization is also a great idea. There you can be aviation dorks and no get made fun of. Also...double major or minor in something useful...like Communications, Business or something like that...don't ATC & Commertical pilot...and have fun!

[JaceTheAce]

Here is my two cents: Don't major in Commercial Aviation - major in something you can have as a backup in the event that you get furloughed, lose your medical, decide you don't want to fly after hating your pilot job, or for whatever reason. Major in something that you really enjoy also, but something that can make you marketable when you're out searching for another job.

Disclaimer: The above statement is merely MY opinion and is not meant to offend anyone currently majoring in Commercial Aviation

Edit: One of my good friends who majored in Commercial Aviation said "I don't care if I majored in a degree that's only useful to a specific job - I can always go back to college and get another degree". Sure he can do that, but is he gonna want to do that once he is 40 yrs old, has a significant other and newly accrued debt (ie, mortgage, yacht, whatever)?

[SYRFlyer]

Does Aviation Management count as a semi-non-aviation related major? lol

[JaceTheAce]

Originally Posted by SYRFlyer

Does Aviation Management count as a semi-non-aviation related major? lol

Yes! That's what my major is... it's a Bachelor's of Business Administration (BBA in Aviation Management). More and more people are starting to choose this major. I wouldn't go into it if it doesn't interest you, however. But business and economics I think interests the majority of people...so...

[SYRFlyer]

Aviation Management has been my plan all along. Business and Economics does intrest me so im pretty excited about that.

[CRJ700]

SYRFlyer I'm from Buffalo, much better side of the state if you ask me haha j/k.

[SYRFlyer]

Originally Posted by CRJ700

SYRFlyer I'm from Buffalo, much better side of the state if you ask me haha j/k.

About half of my graduating class is going to UB, Niagra, and D'Youville(sp?)..on the map of the United States where everyone is going in my HS and I'm out in the sticks..people are like wtf? What the hell is in Grand Forks North Dakota? I would say most of them didn't even know where North Dakota was until they saw the map. lol

[MrLeisure757]

SYRFlyer - I get the same thing when asked where I am going to school. I always get the "Why North Dakota?!" It really is fascinating how many people stick around here to attend colleges and don't venture out of the state. With that said - I'm excited to leave them all behind.

[SYRFlyer]

Originally Posted by MrLeisure757

SYRFlyer - I get the same thing when asked where I am going to school. I always get the "Why North Dakota?!" It really is fascinating how many people stick around here to attend colleges and don't venture out of the state. With that said - I'm excited to leave them all behind.

You and me both brotha..I do have a small very close group of friends I will miss.