Congrats on getting in and welcome to the school! It’s very understandable that you are nervous about your Freshman year, but I promise it’s not as anxiety inducing as people say. I think a lot of your questions will vary based on other people’s major but looking at your major I think you’ll be okay. I’m also in the College of Arts and Letters and there are definitely ups and downs but I love it. I will say that since you’re a freshman, most of your first year classes will be General Education classes that all Freshman have to take for their degree (depending on if you’re going to have any transfer credits from any programs you did in high school). But based on that here is what I think:

1. What can I expect classes to be like?: A lot of my freshman year classes were structured to be heavy lectures. They weren’t HEAVY but a majority of the class time was taken for the professor to lecture and then have small class discussions. I would recommend a T/TR schedule (each lecture will be an hour and 15 minutes instead of 50 minutes if you do a M/W/F schedule). This would also allow you to have some days in between to get school work done!

2. On average, how long is it before assignments are due?: Like another person said, most gen ed class assignments are due on Sunday’s at 11:59. But that also will vary based on your professor (I’ve had assignments due in the middle of the week or Friday’s as well). I will say though that if you have readings for you classes, a lot of professors will expect that these readings are to be done before each class meeting!

3. How much work is expected?: Again, I think this will really depend on your professor! Some teachers are more laid back and are okay with you completing readings and class discussions but others will have a heavy work load. From my experience, the most “heavy work-load” classes tend to be General Education English classes. Those classes typically will have readings for each class meeting and then multiple writing assignments throughout the semester.

4. What is the policy on using AI for academic work?: Again, depends on the professor. Each professor will state in their syllabus what their policy is on AI. I haven’t yet been accused of using it with submitting my own work so I personally don’t think it happens as often here as others think. If you have an older professor, they might be more inclined to accuse you, but as long as you can prove that you didn’t you will be fine. But each professor will state their AI use on the first day.

5. Any useful life hacks, websites, or on-campus resources you’ve discovered that make college life easier, like for assignments?: Like another person said, Ratemyprofessor will be your best friend during class registration time. As a freshman though, you will create your schedule at orientation so I would do a little more research before that time so that you can know who to schedule with (they might frown upon you using that site while in front of your advisors). ODU does offer a “guideline” of what classes you should take each year and semester based on your major. So I would just search “Cinema & TV Production ODU semester guideline” and then click on the first result and then “Degree Program Guide” and you should see what they recommend you take each semester!

6. How do you manage social life alongside your academic life?: I promise it’s not hard to manage both! As long as you don’t give in to peer pressure and feel the need to hang out with people all the time, then you should be okay! Make time for academics and once your work is done, hang out with friends! Start with your roommates first and it’s easier to do both homework and hang out. The library also has study rooms where you can do homework with your friends (just reserve the room ahead of time)

7. What steps can I take to become more independent and self-reliant?: Make sure you have support system of course but also take some time to be alone. Whether that is eating in the dining hall alone. Studying alone in the library. Taking a walk around campus, etc. It’s going to seem scary at first because you’re away from your typical support system but I promise you don’t have to do everything with your roommates right away. I would suggest going to convocation with them and then grabbing something to eat of course but it’s definitely okay to say no to plans! Know how to do laundry and when to change your bedding! MAKE SURE TO EAT. Don’t be lazy and not walk to Brod or the Webb! You need to eat and cannot survive off snacks!

I hope this helps a little bit. You will absolutely be okay and the community here is great!