Although we did a lot of reading, internet researching, and talking to other parents, we still had a lot to learn about the college freshman year.  I sat down with my now-Sophomore daughter to get her take on her first year. Hopefully, this interview will shed more light for parents of college-bound children.

Mom: Now that you have perspective, which do you prefer: high school or college?

Sophomore: College, definitely.

Mom: You had a great roommate, although I know the occasional problem came up. Any tips for incoming freshmen about getting along with a roommate?

Sophomore: Communicate with them (nicely). Don’t be accusing. Also, try not to be in the room together too much, because you’ll get tired of each other. You need time alone, too.

Mom: Having a part-time job while attending school is now pretty much a necessity. How did you balance that, and maintain good grades?

Sophomore: Having a job teaches you not be a procrastinator. If you are working all day on a Saturday, you can’t be putting homework off. You have to do homework before work. If you don’t figure that out, you are going to fail.

Mom: We got you the “medium” meal plan. Do you think that was the best choice?

Sophomore: Yeah, if you want to eat healthily. Soy products, salads, and fruit all cost more than, say, fries and a burger. If I had the choice of buying food off-campus more, I probably would do that. Columbia U kids can eat at restaurants up and down Broadway with their meal plan. However, without a car, I had to spend a lot of money on-campus.

Mom: Let’s tackle some harder questions. Your school has very strict rules about alcohol and drugs on campus. Even with those rules, were drugs and alcohol still prevalent?

Sophomore: Yes. You just have to be sneakier about it.

Mom: Great. (Heavy sigh). Also new to you: “Clubbing.” Nightclubs. You obviously enjoy them. You could go in, but you weren’t supposed to be able to get a drink, by law. But you could, right?

Sophomore: Yes, at some. It depended on the bar, the week, or who was working. For a lot of places you had to have a wristband to get a drink.

Mom: So was there a lot of throwing up going on after visits to clubs?

Sophomore: Not on my part. But I’ve helped people out afterwards.

Mom: I know everything is expensive at school. Did they give you any freebies?

Sophomore: Yeah, actually. They gave out free t-shirts, blankets, and oh, condoms. Ha.

Mom: Moving right along . . . what were the best items to receive in care packages?

Sophomore: Snacks, or necessities that you can’t get at school (like special face wash).

Mom: Was it fun, coming from Hawaii, to live somewhere with snow?

Sophomore: Yes, for a little while. Then it was just cold and I wanted it to melt and go away.

Mom: Did you have any really unfair or difficult professors?

Sophomore: Not unfair, but with one there was a language barrier and that made things difficult.

Mom: For incoming freshmen out there, could you name some room essentials?

Sophomore: A refrigerator, absolutely. You’ll want it for cold drinks, leftovers and quick breakfasts, like yogurts, applesauce, and milk. If your college doesn’t have them available, you’ll need your own printer (or if you are too lazy to walk to the library). Most colleges have lists on their websites of the other essentials.

Mom: What other things were important to you?

Sophomore: Good transportation, boots (if you are going to college in a cold place), and a warm jacket. Get a good one – don’t cheap out.

Mom: What are you looking forward to the most, when you go back?

Sophomore: My boyfriend, my girlfriends, and the city.