In October 2003 (before Bwog was even a word!), The Blue & White made a long list of advice for freshmen. We’ll give you slices of that advice every morning of NSOP, so you can start your day with confidence and finesse and one of those good chocolate chip muffins from John Jay, plus hash browns if yer reeeal lucky. Check back here every morning for our first offering of sage NSOP advice for the day, plus a bunch of other NSOP stuff. These words of wisdom are to be taken with several truckloads of salt. We’re here for you, 2014!

  • Don’t go to Wien. Don’t ever go to Wien. Think of Wien as Columbia’s very own Third World country, a place infested with rodents (we assume), unreliable utilities (for certain), undrinkable water (don’t be fooled by the dorm room sinks), and inedible food (before Wien’s Taco Bell was condemned, botulism- flavored tortillas were the most popular item on the food court’s menu). Frankly, if you have to meet an friend who lives in Wien, please, for goodness sake, ask him or her to meet you somewhere else (and avoid shaking hands). In sum, don’t go to Wien… Don’t EVER go to Wien.
  • Nighttime is indeed the right time. When you find out what for, let us know.
  • Undoubtedly, freshman year presents a wonderful opportunity for first-years to make friends. However, it also happens to be a time when friends are lost. For example, shortly after winter break, there will be murmurings of an upcoming registration period for the housing lottery. Suddenly, all Columbia students, save for the seniors, are thrust into a state of panic, and lose sleep contemplating questions like, “Who will I live with next year?” and “Whose feelings are going to be hurt?” In this situation, the best advice the B&W can offer a young worrywart is to practice damage control. In other words, it’s never to early to start alienating certain friends and sucking up to others.