Congratulations! You’ve been admitted to Stanford University: the land of palm trees, Nobel laureates and people who casually mention their startups before telling you their names. As you prepare to join our quirky corner of Silicon Valley, here’s some candid advice from someone who’s been in your shoes.

The social scene: Expectations vs. reality

Admit Weekend and New Student Orientation (NSO) are simultaneously exhilarating and exhausting. Pack your social battery charger — you’ll need it. You’ll meet hundreds of people and remember approximately twelve names. That’s normal.

Next comes Eurotrash, the first big party of the year: it’s basically an overcrowded sweatfest that everyone attends because they think everyone else is attending. Make your own choices. If FOMO is driving your decision, remember there will be plenty of parties ahead.

Speaking of which, Halloween at Stanford is where creativity really shines. Your dorm will transform into a flurry of elaborate group costumes and last-minute Amazon Prime deliveries. It’s a blast and a great bonding opportunity.

Oh, and that awkward “dormcest” culture people warn about? Don’t take it too seriously. Yes, dating within your dorm can sometimes get messy, but we’re not talking about lifelong consequences. You’re living in close quarters with interesting people — connections happen.

Daily Stanford life: The quirks

You’ll likely hear the word “startup” at least once every day: sometimes in class, sometimes at dinner, sometimes whispered in your dreams. It’s our unofficial drinking game.

Stanford gym-goers fall into two distinct categories: the sunrise warriors who finish their workouts before you wake up and the night owls pumping iron at midnight. There is no in-between.

Get familiar with the phrase, “Let’s get a meal together sometime.” It’s Stanford’s universal currency of friendship. Don’t be shy about initiating these — everyone’s figuring out their social circles too.

Also, get a U-lock for your bike. This is mandatory unless you enjoy long walks across campus while contemplating poor life choices.

Academic realities

The quarter system is inherently painful — ten weeks fly by in what feels like three. You’ll be midway through midterms when you realize you haven’t fully processed the first week’s material. But shared suffering also creates camaraderie.

Form study groups for problem set (PSET) classes immediately. Not only do they help you stay on track academically, but nothing bonds people quite like collective confusion at 2 a.m.

While it might seem like everyone’s aspiring toward tech, finance or medicine, don’t feel pressured by this culture. Some of the most interesting Stanford students are the ones who forge their own paths. Like my friend who devoted her time to stand-up comedy and now travels the world performing her own show. Or the international relations major who studied abroad in Jordan and speaks five languages. These stories may not make headlines like the latest unicorn, but they’re every bit as Stanford as the CS majors at Google (though yes, many do end up there too).

Resources you’ll actually need

Take advantage of the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) tutoring, Stanford Undergraduate Math Organization (SUMO) help sessions and the Hume Center for Writing and Speaking. These resources exist because even Stanford students need help — especially Stanford students.

It’s completely okay to attend office hours without questions. Some of the best mentor relationships start with “I just wanted to understand your research better,” or, “Could you tell me more about your career path?”

Don’t limit your professor interactions to conventional classroom settings, either. Some of the most meaningful conversations happen in unexpected places. Take a brisk walk to Lake Lagunita with your law school IntroSem professor. Chat with your Introduction to Bioengineering professor while pushing your bike across campus. Get lobster rolls at the Faculty Club with your “Spirit of Democracy” course professor. These informal moments often lead to the most insightful conversations and lasting connections.

And if you’re interested in research, cold emailing works! Be specific about why you’re interested in their work, show you’ve done your homework, and you’ll be surprised how many professors respond positively.

Stanford traditions and hacks

Complaining about PWR (Program in Writing and Rhetoric) is a universal rite of passage. You’ll bond with strangers over shared frustration with writing a rhetorical analysis. Embrace it.

Don’t be afraid to shop classes and adjust your schedule, even in week three. The add/drop system exists for a reason, and finding the right academic fit matters more than avoiding schedule disruption.

Also, those random 1-2 unit speaker classes? Hidden gems. Where else can you get academic credit for listening to industry leaders, asking a question, and writing a one-page reflection?

As the quarter progresses and collective stress escalates, Fizz (our anonymous social media platform) gets increasingly funnier and more unhinged. It’s our digital pressure valve.

When it gets overwhelming

Finally, when you’ve had a particularly long day, bike to a quiet spot on the Oval, look at Main Quad through a tourist’s perspective and remember where you started. Beneath the problem sets and social navigation, you’re walking the same paths as generations of brilliant minds before you — and now you’re one of them.

Welcome to the Farm, Class of 2029. It’s just as amazing and bewildering as everyone says.