The Georgia Institute of Technology

As a first semester Freshman, I can't say much, but I can say it's about learning how to "play the game." If you keep yourself on-task, focused, and together, you'll do fine here. Also, don't take CS1332 your first semester unless you're some kind of Comp Sci wunderkind. Finally, they said this during FASET (Familiarization and Adaptation to the Surroundings and Environs of Tech, AKA Orientation): Go to class. I know this sounds obvious, but my grades TANKED the moment I stopped going to class. I mean, yeah, CS was always hard, and it was disheartening when I got that first test back. But my other classes I was doing fine in. I stopped going to class, that stopped being the case. Also, if you need help, ask. Everyone is in this shit together... at Tech, the nerds help the jocks (because the jocks are also nerds). Tech has tons of tutoring, advising offices, and student organizations. I honestly think the reason why most people struggle here is because of the fact that they got A's in high school, and effortlessly at that. They have poor study habits, and scoff at going to office hours or tutoring. Now, there are professors here who are COMPLETE A**HOLES, but that seems to be the case at almost every institution. For those people, well, you take your grade, and move on, knowing you tried your hardest.

1st Year Male -- Class 2018

Scholastic Success: A+, Perceived Campus Safety: D

Personally I probably picked the easiest major at Georgia Tech, and I get quite a few weird looks, though not as many as I'd expect. I'm not super knowledgeable about other student's experiences but I'll give some advice based on my own.

-If you were the type of kid who didn't need to study in high school and you got straight A's, you probably need to study here. Read the book over, write down main ideas on flashcards, it sounds silly but you'll need it.

-Go to office hours, review sessions, and tutorings, especially if your grade is lower than you like. Some professors might not be much help, but others are usually pretty cool one on one. A lot of kids at tech think they're too smart to go to those things, but they're really important, and it really helps.

-You're probably not going to make too many friends. A lot of kids at Georgia Tech are a bit socially inept, while others are focused on the work. Maybe talk to the kid you sit by every day in class and hope there's a connection.

-Some of the core classes unbelievably hard (and probably unnecessary). One fun fact about Georgia Tech is if you go, you have to take a computer science class. Just try and get through it, hopefully major-specific classes won't be that hard.I know most people aren't psych majors, but if you're reading this and you are, you'll probably do well if you're passionate enough, and work hard (and do research that's important too).

2nd Year Female -- Class 2015

Collaboration/Competitive: A, Social Life: F

If you plan on being any of the major types of engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Aerospace, etc.), take your talents elsewhere before sacrificing the next 5 years of life to academic and social misery. If you plan on living the "college" life, think twice before going to Tech. The teachers are brilliant, however, they couldn't care less about their student's success. They are simply there for the salary so they can continue their research in whatever field they may be researching. By simply walking around campus in the middle of the day, you will see that students are merely robots walking to their next destination. They are "programmed" to wake up, eat, go to class, study, and go to bed. It is extremely hard to have a good social life and excel academically. Between sleeping, having a social life, and doing well in school, you will only be able to choose two while you're at Tech.

2nd Year Male -- Class 2015

Surrounding City: A, Scholastic Success: F