Surviving CPW

Surviving CPW So even though my own CPW was now FIVE years ago, old age has not settled in enough that I dont remember what my own experience was like :-P For the record, during my CPW, it rained for a little and despite that, I still had a blast; so, regardless of weather, get ready for the most jam-packed days youll have until you come for Orientation of course ;-) Here are a few tips to making the best of your CPW experience. Rule #0 (To be done before you come): Figure out the big questions that you have about MIT, Cambridge/Boston, etc That way when you get here, you can make sure that those questions that you do have get answered by students, faculty, and anyone else you manage to meet. Rule #1: If youre paying for your food, youre doing something wrong. Campus Preview Weekend is full with free food all over campus. Open houses, free pizza, liquid nitrogen ice cream, donuts, dinners at fraternities. So keep the cash in your wallet for your MIT sweatshirt. Rule #2: If youre sleeping, youre also doing something wrong. There is so much going on, and I dont remember getting much sleep whether it was checking out another aspect of MIT or talking to the potential students. Rule #2.5: Caffeine. Courtesy of Snively. See his blog post from last year here. Rule #3: Talk to people, prefrosh and current students alike. I think the best part of CPW for me was talking to other prefrosh getting to know the people that I would be going to school with for four years. I also had a lot of questions about MIT and what it was like here. Ask people tough questions, and if you arent satisfied with the answer, ask someone else. Rule #4: Explore the campus. Walk around the campus. The fact that youre a prefrosh is like an open door to visit labs, classes, and get exposed to everything that MIT has to offer. Relish in it. Rule #5: Dont knock it til you try it. I cant say how many things I would have missed out on if I had not kept an open mind. I really took CPW as an opportunity to explore things that I had not seen before. So dont judge a book by its cover, and take a chance to try something new. Rule #6: Pack for the weather. I forgot my umbrella during my CPW. Not awesome. So pack a jacket and check the weather before you get here. Rule # 7: HAVE FUN. If youre not having fun, something is not right. For students and faculty alike, CPW is one of the most fun times of the year, so please have fun. And lots. Thanks :^) And now for shameless CPW plugs: Friday, April 11, 8:30 PM: Meet the Bloggers, Mezzanine Lounge Youve read our stories for an entire year and youve shared your stories with us. Now its time to meet in real life :) And hopefully, you dont tell me that I look a lot taller in my picture than I do in real life because that would make it three years in a row. Bring your parents and your friends! Saturday, April 12, 8 PM: Battle of the Bands, Lobdell Cafeteria Battle of the Bands is an annual CPW event hosted by ZBT where a bunch of bands get up on stage to show their musical talent and you get to rock out all night long; could it get any better? Maybe. You get to hang out with Ben Jones as he and I will be judging the acts. RSVP on Facebook (Historical fact: My CPW was the first BOTB.) OK no more shameless plugs :) If you have any questions, feel free to post comments and ask questions about CPW and Ill answer them here on the blog or someone else will if Im asleep. See you all on Thursday!