By J.M. Heuft | Guest Writer

The APSU freshmen class assembled 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28, in the Dunn Center. The crowd took up about half the gym and was polite as well as interested in the speakers.

Speakers included the Faculty Senate president Lori Buchanan, President Timothy Hall, and Student Government Association leaders.

The things I heard that day may help me have a positive college experience. The following are some of the things I learned during the speeches.

I was told to prepare for and attend every class, every day. The speakers said to seek information beyond class and textbooks. They told us to ask questions and go beyond Google.

They want us to better understand classroom learning by looking for a wide range of thoughts. Follow up on what you start and meet challenges as they come.

Plan ahead and use a calendar and an alarm clock to follow your schedule.

Talk to teachers, fellow students and anyone else who can help you learn broad concepts that go beyond the classroom.

Relish opportunities as they come and make the most of them. Ask a lot of questions. Go for the free stuff for the total college experience.

Be prepared to use a computer to check your e-mail, pay bills, find forms and find scheduled events on campus.

Read, write and think every day. Offer your ideas to others and be ready to listen to their ideas and viewpoints

Make a friend because a shared experience will be remembered longer.

Most importantly, keep your brain and body in balance as you study, work, play, laugh, eat healthy, listen to music and exercise every day.

I believe I have to put the most into my college time to get the most out of it, and that is just what I intend to do. How about you?