As a Korean who lived abroad all my life, returning to Korea to study at Seoul National University (SNU) was both scary and thrilling at the same time. Because I was new to Korea, and recently graduated from high school, I didn’t know what to expect and how well I would adapt. Now my freshman year has flown by, and I thought an end-of-the-year post would be appropriate. As for everything I experienced, and didn’t experience, at SNU, I am grateful. A list of 25 things I learned during freshman year:

• 1.During your time here you will be challenged across all fronts; you won’t learn if your mind is closed. So keep an open mind in everything you do -- whether it is meeting people, choosing courses, or joining student clubs (dongaris).
• 2.Don’t drink if you don’t want to. Bottoms up shouldn’t be taken as a challenge, even in the Korean upperclassmen-lowerclassmen (sunbae-hubae) drinking culture. Know your limits and just enjoy yourself.
• 3.Take lots of photos. And not only those Instagram photos of your Caramel-macchiato Frappuccino, please.
• 4.Don’t be too quick to dismiss your schoolmates as jocks, hippies, divas, etc… even though they most likely are, that doesn’t mean they aren’t people with interesting stories.
• 5.Do go to an MT at least once. It is very particular to Korean university life, and even for those who don’t like to drink, it is a great chance to get close to your classmates while eating barbecue pork. (For those who don’t know what an MT is, it stands for ‘Membership Training’ but is simply a two-day trip outside of Seoul for the purpose of socializing and drowning in soju.)
• 6.Take a sports course at least once a semester. You will meet interesting people from diverse majors and age groups and exercise at the same time.
• 7.Don’t ignore the various advertisements and postings on bulletin boards around campus. They offer a wide range of information and activities such as job offerings, club recruiting, concerts and more.
• 8.Get to know your professors. They are human too and are great for guidance. Realize that they too can learn from you. (But be aware: they may not recognize you among the hundreds of students they teach.)
• 9.Eat meals. Not only for the food, but to socialize with friends. There are many types of restaurants scattered around campus, and if you ask nicely, the cafeteria ladies may serve you a larger portion!
• 10.Go to the symphony and orchestra concerts that the College of Music and different music clubs offer. The performances are inspiring and of really good quality, not to mention free of cost!
• 11.Enjoy the spring and fall festivals (chukjae) the school offers. It’s a great time to eat and drink with friends, and see some celebrities as well.
• 12.Listen to your professors’ advice when they say: Do not leave this paper to the last minute.
• 13.Go to the Central Library for more than just studying. It actually offers a wide range of DVD movies, comic books, and literature.
• 14.Skip the shuttle. Walk around campus! You will discover natural beauty such as the College of Music area and exercise those legs.
• 15.Experiment and find the right place and time to study that best suits you. Maybe it is the Central Library in the afternoons, or maybe it is a quiet café during the evening. What works for some may not necessarily work for you.
• 16.Ask questions. In class, ask for clarification if you do not understand clearly. Do not be afraid to ask for help from upperclassmen as well.
• 17.Use the student health center on campus. (Student Center, Building No. 63)
• 18.Recognize the importance of having a good night’s rest. A well-rested mind is more productive than one that has not gotten much sleep. All-nighters are highly overrated.
• 19.Go on dates. But don’t feel like every date has to turn into a relationship. And just because everyone you know seems to be getting into a romantic relationship doesn’t mean you have to as well. Don’t settle and do things at your own pace.
• 20.Eat junk food. You’re away from home and probably young enough that it won’t harm your body too much; this is the rare time in your life when you can eat badly without feeling too guilty about it.
• 21.Don’t be afraid to talk to people. What I’ve realized about SNU students is that they are very shy and are most likely not going to approach you first. Be the first to approach them and ask yourself, “What can I learn from this person?”
• 22.Use Facebook and Kakaotalk as a way of connecting and communicating with your friends. But do not let that replace your in-person relationships.
• 23.Even with the loads of reading and assignments required for class, don’t forget to take some time for yourself. Learning more about yourself as an individual should be part of your purpose in university. Cherish your solitude.
• 24.As to spending some time by yourself, you need not search far and wide for a destination. Get out of the library or your room and enjoy nature’s wonders. The SNU campus is exceptionally beautiful during spring and fall season. The weather is snug as the faint breeze carries the scent of flowers. As you walk and crunch underfoot the fallen leaves, you will be reminded of the passing of seasons and inevitably begin to reflect on your part in the midst of it all.
• 25.Know that you will face many hardships during your time at SNU. Breathe. You will get tired at times but keep faith that everything will get better. And remember, enjoy the ride.

And that wraps up my list of things I learned during my freshman year at SNU. I’m thrilled about and looking forward to what sophomore year has in store for me. See you soon, SNU.

To send your comments or for other lessons learned, feel free to contact the writer at josefinaoh@snu.ac.kr

Written by OH Jung Eun, SNU English Editor, josefinaoh@snu.ac.kr
Reviewed by Eli Park Sorensen, SNU Professor of Liberal Studies, eps7257@snu.ac.kr
Proofread by Brett Johnson, SNU English Editor, morningcalm2@gmail.com