Good Luck Fishies

The key to success at BETA is a really hard thing to acquire even as a senior.  As a freshman, succeeding seemed like the most daunting task I had ever been met with.  Now, with all the wisdom that comes from being at the top of the class system of BETA, I believe there are two types of success - social and academic.  My advice to the freshmen of today as it pertains to the first is to join as many clubs as they can possibly handle.  Even if that doesn't make them "popular," they can learn a lot by being a part of something that includes upperclassmen as well as underclassmen.  However, as a freshman, you still have to accept the fact that you are going to be a target.  Just put up with it for one year and before you know it, you will be a sophomore picking on the next group of freshmen.  That's just the way it works.  As for academic success, I would say don't let it overwhelm you.  The work here may be a lot more than what you are used to, but eventually you learn to adjust.  The most important thing to remember when it comes to work is that you have to be willing to make sacrifices.  Sometimes you will have to choose between working to get a good grade and having a social life.  At other schools, it may be enough to just pay attention in class and put a minimal amount of effort into school work.  However, at BETA, just doing enough to get by isn't enough.  Eventually, it will catch up with you.  The one most important piece of advice I can give you is that if you actually want to be here and you want to succeed, you'll find a way to do it no matter what.