For all those who are wondering...

So I was looking at the Interlochen message boards on FB, and it occurred to me that newbie Interlochen students might need some advice. Not just the kind they give you in the brochures or the handbook, but stuff that any Interlochen student knows is actually USEFUL. (In the handbook, for those of you who don't know, they outline the rules but don't tell you much about actual LIFE at IAA...fellow IAAs, do you know what I'm talking about?) Anyway, here are my general warnings to first-years: If you take a literature class with Mr. Wescott (I'm not even sure if he's still there, but just in case), he is VERY picky about interpretations and he WILL give you low grades if your interpretation of a poem or book is wildly different from his. Not saying he's a horrible teacher or anything, just a heads-up. And you HAVE to talk in his class, even if it's first hour and the only thing you can say is "coffee, please," you STILL have to participate in class discussion or you WILL get a low participation grade...don't make the same mistakes I did! McCall's history class is decent. Ms. Kullenberg's math classes are fun but REALLY freakin' hard. A little heads-up: Elements of Fiction counts as an English/composition class, so even if you aren't a creative writer but you need an English credit, I'd suggest that one. Also--if you are in the DeRoy dorm, it can get veeery loud after sign-in, so if you like to go to sleep right at sound-out, just be warned, you might want to bring headphones or earplugs. I also would suggest studying at the library if you prefer peace and quiet. Of course if you like noise and chaos, you will be in the right place lol. Get to the line for the Corners Van (a.k.a. grocery-shopping trip) early on Thursday night, unless you enjoy standing in line for an hour or two. You WILL eventually have to do food service. Do NOT sign up for the dining-room-cleaning part of the shift. Take shifts early at dinnertime, preferably starting as soon as dinnertime begins, so you can serve food instead of wandering around aimlessly with a bottle of table cleaner in your hand, bored out of your mind. If you have laundry service, do yourself a favor and DROP IT OFF THE NIGHT BEFORE, especially if you live in DeRoy and have to walk across the street to drop off your laundry. Few things are less fun than skipping breakfast or getting a tardy because you had to pack your laundry bag and run it across the street before going to class. To all the lucky people from warm states/countries: Do NOT underestimate Northern Michigan winter. You will think, "It's just snow, how bad can it be?" until you find yourself literally skidding from class to class on a solid sheet of ice. Wear boots in the winter. Under NO circumstances should you wear Converse, unless you enjoy falling on your ass every five minutes. Stone food = HELL. If you are lucky enough to be able to eat ANYTHING (this is what I witnessed with some of the guys in my major from last year), you'll be fine. If, like me, you are a picky eater...WATCH OUT! Tom's (local grocery store) is a good option. Ordering food in every night, or going to the Melody Freeze (campus cafe) every day, gets reeeeally expensive. The Scholarshop sells decent food, but at RIDICULOUS prices. Therefore, I must inform you that going to Tom's once a week is indeed your best bet. If you do your own laundry, you will usually have to run the driers twice, because your clothes will probably NEVER dry completely the first time. Consequently, laundry costs you about 3-4 dollars a week, as opposed to the two bucks most people think (one for the washer and one for the drier). Also, if you get a Tide pen instead of buying bottled stain remover, you will save yourself a lot of money and a lot of mess. You don't HAVE to call your parents every night, but they sure as freaking hell appreciate it. If you know you won't be able to call every night just to say hello or good-night, friend them on Facebook (or bug them to get Facebook profiles) so you can post on their walls every now and then. Don't feel trapped by the uniform! Teachers make a big deal out of it, but as long as you have navy bottoms and an Interlochen-logo light-blue shirt, they'll let you wear just about ANYTHING with it. I've seen some of the most incredible outfits centered around the Interlochen dress code policy--the most notable of which being a navy-blue jumpsuit (you know who you are...and if you see this, tell me, WHERE THE HELL DID YOU FIND THAT?!). Just so you know: You are NOT allowed in Kresge or the Interlochen Bowl during the school year. However, it is VERY easy to break this rule, simply by pretending you were unaware of it. (Not that I ever have... *innocentface*) If you think you can get away with a hookup in the Writing House, think again. Most nights, teachers stay behind for tutorials (to those of you who are saying "so what?", let me put it this way: Imagine hooking up in a school building while three or four of your teachers are inside). Even if they don't, there's "roving," a.k.a. hall counselors walking around campus and looking for people trying to get away with having a little against-the-rules fun in buildings like the Writing House. Take advantage of tutorials. Your teachers want to HELP you, not punish you for getting bad grades. Even if it's a teacher you hate. Especially if it's your least-favorite subject. They're not fun, but they help. September + October = RAIN SEASON. Get rain boots, unless you enjoy slogging to class with soaked feet. If you don't have rain boots, or at least a pair of decently water-resistant shoes, you will be jealous of anyone who does. Other good things to have are an umbrella (for obvious reasons) and a vinyl or coated backpack (so your computer and school supplies don't get wet). A scooter is the riding apparatus of choice: It gets you to class, and when you get there you can fold it up and bring it inside instead of leaving it tied to a tree or worrying about someone stealing it. Also, on rainy days, it means you don't have to sit on a wet seat because if you bring it into the classroom, it will stay dry. Only problem is, like other wheeled transportation devices, it does not do too well with snow and ice. There you go. That is my helpful advice to all new Inty students. Now, for the part that I left out in the last post... STOLEN DIALOGUE Person one (reading off the screen of a Garmin): "Queen's Bush Pub?" What the hell is this? (to person in the back, who has beeen wearing headphones) Hey, [kid]? Where do you suppose the Queen's Bush is? Person two: I don't know...under the queen's dress, I guess.  Person one: Shut the f#$% up! Person two: No, YOU shut the f#$% up! Person one: No, YOU shut the f#$% up! Exasperated onlooker: Oh my God, BOTH of you shut the f#$% up!!!! (referring to a stale breadstick) "News at eleven...teenage girl uses old Pizza Hut breadstick to beat off intruder! Are you writing this down?" Person one: Do I look like I haven't slept in three days? Person two: Do I look like I haven't showered in two days? Person one: You haven't slept, I haven't showered...hell, they probably won't let us in [to Meijer]. "Christian preachers are like used-car salesmen: They don't want you to get the full story, or you question what they're selling." Person one: I have a Heath Ledger joke...but it might be in bad taste. Person two: Oh, that's fine. Just tell me. Person one: Okay. What's the difference between Heath Ledger and Heath Ledger jokes? Person two: What? Person one: Heath Ledger jokes can get old. "I have a theory...you ready? Okay, here it is: Laundry should be illegal. Or at least, you shouldn't have to do it yourself, because that just sucks." "Why would anyone need chocolate chunks when they make chocolate chips? It doesn't make any sense! Like...what's the difference?" "I swear, I'm never shopping here [at Meijer] again...they put bread and Hostess cupcakes in the SAME AISLE!" Person one: Do you remember when we were watching The Dark Knight and I was gushing over Gary Oldman and you were like, "For God's sake, he's not even good-looking!" Person two: Sort of. Person one: And I said something stupid back to you, like...I think it was something about how, like, his talent made him beautiful inside or some stupid hippie shit like that. Person two: I hope I laughed at you. Person one: Of course you did.