Returning to campus to find 400 new faces always inspires a touch of nostalgia. We remember the first few days of orientation wearing our cutest outfits to Valentine and thinking that our floormates would be our best friends for life. We recall mistakenly walking to the social quad in search of a party in the Octagon, walking in protective bundles of eight or more and repeatedly asking the three fundamental questions: "What's your name? Where are you from? Where are you living?" We also remember the deluge of advice that came at us from all sides. As helpful as orientation was, however, all those mandatory meetings missed a few key pearls of Amherst wisdom; ones we wish to share with the brand new class of '07.

1) Take advantage of the good weather. Come November all those tennis courts will go to waste, the web of running trails just off the bike path will be iced over, video games will replace quad football and all parties will be a long snow trudge away.

2) If you think you are getting an F, you will probably get a B. Of course you should work hard in your classes, but relax. The College has plenty of resources to help you out if necessary and everyone is interested in seeing you succeed.

3) The freshman drop is without stigma. Plenty of people drop a class and go on to be successful happy students with fabulous summer internships, grad school acceptances and promising careers. In fact, dropping a class has a good chance of improving your grades in other classes.

4) Take advantage of TYPO early and often. It's a great way to get to know your professors and it's a free dinner in town.

5) Keg lines are rarely worth the wait.

6) Less is more. You can amass a lot of stuff in four years-watch out because moving it sucks. You will thank us when you are seniors.

7) The library has free video rentals and you can make request for items it doesn't have in the collection.

8) 4 p.m. at the gym is unpleasant, to say the least. A 20-minute wait for an elliptical trainer can be easily avoided with a bit of creative scheduling.

9) Delivery is expensive.

10) Don't underestimate your abilities. Everyone is a little nervous about measuring up as first-years, but all of you are bright, talented and have nothing to worry about. You can join that singing group, act in a play, write for the newspaper, play a sport, speak up in class and truly make a difference.