Fall, 2001 Advice to Incoming Whitman Students (from recent Whitman graduates) ·  Don’t be afraid of falling in love with an idea.  If you find an intellectual passion, pursue it, share it with others, challenge it, let it keep you up nights.   ·  Don’t separate the person or experiences you have in college from the life you expect to have after graduation.  The patterns, habits, and friendships you develop in your college years are likely in large measure to help shape the kind of person you will become.   ·  Remember that the library is always open and there are plenty of great spaces there to make your own, and there are also a lot of classrooms that can be used for studying.  Find places that are especially wonderful for learning.   ·  Form reading/discussion groups among your friends.  Don’t limit your intellectual growth to the classroom.   ·  Understand that you will learn as much from the people you surround yourself with as you will from most of the courses you take.  So seek out  adventurous minds and befriend them.   ·  Make an effort to get to know each of your professors as people.  Visit during their office hours, attend their on-campus lectures and consider inviting them to lunch in your residence hall.   ·  Get to know your advisors, resident director, resident assistants and teachers—they are all available as advisors and mentors.   ·  Keep an open mind.  Be tolerant of others who, like you, are exploring new ideas and new ways of learning.     ·  Take courses in a wide range of areas.  A biochemistry major who appreciates Thelonius Monk’s music and can discuss the highlights of Renaissance art will lead a richer life.   ·  Take time to explore Walla Walla.  Find a place to call your own away from campus.  It’s a beautiful and distinctive community with much to offer. Discover Rooks Park, Bluewood Skiing, and the Ice Chalet, fish the South Fork of the Walla Walla, and take your parents or a friend to Patit Creek Restaurant or the Whitehouse-Crawford Restaurant or the Marcus Whitman Hotel or the Iceburg or the Taco Truck, etc.   ·  Build balance into your life; stay fit and get enough sleep.    ·  Always remember why you came to Whitman—intellectual and personal growth are the priorities and it requires a lot of time management to keep focused on these.   ·  Take a fitness P.E. course every year; tennis, kickboxing, aerobics, weight training, etc. . . and there are also several dance courses offered by the College.   ·  Take full advantage of Whitman’s Health Center and Counseling Office.   ·  Many students find it sensible to take a lighter load of courses their first or second semester in order to make the transition from high school to college more effective.   ·  Take seriously your Core course—the ideas raised in this course are important to a lot of your other academic courses and virtually every Whitman student can measurably improve writing abilities during Core.   ·  Complete assigned readings before class.   ·  Whitman brings a number of top writers, speakers and performers to campus.  Make room in your schedule for a few of these opportunities every month.   ·  “Don’t get in the rut of equating alcohol with freedom, or alcohol with fun.”   ·  Take advantage of the beautiful mountains, rivers and countryside in the region—make the time to go on wilderness adventures with the Outdoor Program or your section.   ·  Try to do something for your soul on a regular basis—and get to know “Dr. Ball.”   ·  Consider studying abroad during your junior year or at some time.  It will change the way you see yourself and the world.   ·  Take note of those who have come before you.  Seek out alumni who have excelled in areas that interest you.  There are thousands of “Whitties” in the world, most of whom are ready and willing to provide assistance to aspiring individuals.   ·  Use your college summers to gain experience in your field of interest.  Internships are an indispensable complement to the formal learning process.  The Career Center can help steer you to excellent internship opportunities.  The Alumni Office can also help in several ways.   ·  Ask your parents, grandparents and friends what advice they have for you as you prepare for college.  And make your own supplementary list to add to these suggestions.    Back to the President's Homepage