知乎转帖，新生必读：去美国留学，要注意什么

转自知乎：http://www.zhihu.com/question/19612095
作者：Brian
注：前文为作者原文，后文为翻译，质量不错。

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(The Chinese translation is below - http://zhi.hu/SZyM - Thank you so much, to the unnamed, but generous soul, who took the time to do this!)

I didn't study abroad in America. I grew up in America and I actually studied abroad in China. But I'll try to give what I believe is good, general advice and I can answer more specific questions in the comments.

This is what I wish I could say to each international student,

Orientation

1. Contact
Right off the bat, you'll meet new friends and people who can help you. If they're Chinese, then you'll probably still be able to use all the normal Chinese means of contact (QQ, 微博, 人人). But I encourage you to meet Americans and international students from other countries, and to keep in touch with them, it's best if you have a,

• Cell phone
  

Probably the most important contact method. Texting is just as prevalent here as in China. I know a lot of international students bring unlocked phones to the States these days, but for those who don't, you'll have to buy a cell phone the American way.

• Gmail
  

Almost everybody uses Gmail. Gmail gives you access to Gchat, which is a ubiquitous chat application because it's built into Gmail. Gmail also gives you access to Google Docs, which is really useful for collaborating on projects.

• Facebook
  

Facebook is especially useful to help you keep track of the classmates you meet every day. It's a great way to learn names.

• LinkedIn
  

LinkedIn is somewhat like a Facebook for job-hunting. Your LinkedIn profile is your resume.

2. Local ID's
Most international students I've met use their passports as their main ID until they learn to drive and receive a driver's license. I think this makes their life unnecessarily difficult (unless you plan to buy a car and start driving right away).

First, you'll need a Social Security Number (SSN). A Social Security Number is really, really important: it's the equivalent of a 身份证 in China. A Social Security Number is required to apply for a state Identification Card, to apply for jobs and to file taxes. This document from the Social Security Administration, http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/media/pdf/EN-05-10181.pdf, explains how international students (F-1, M-1 or J-1 visas) can apply for SSN's.

According to the document, if the school has authorized students on F-1 visas to work on or off campus, then the student can apply for a Social Security Number. For a student to apply for work eligibility and the SSN, you'll need,

• F-1, M-1 or J-1 visa
• I-94 form (Arrival/Departure record - from the airport)
• I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status - from the school)
• A reference letter from the school confirming your student status and work eligibility
• An employment letter from your employer
  

Ask your counselor or academic advisor for the work eligibility letter. The easiest way to get the employment letter would be to work on campus or for a Chinese business. Once you receive a Social Security Number, then you can apply for a state Identification Card.

Every state offers an Identification Card (ID card). The ID card looks like a driver's license, but is used only for identification. This can be really useful for job applications, opening bank accounts, renting apartments, buying alcohol, etc. (A driver's licence is both the driver's license and the state ID.) With an ID card, you won't have to carry your passport around (because nobody wants to lose that), and with your student ID, you'll be able to present two forms of ID in the rare situation that an office really wants to confirm your identity.

3. American friends
This is the best way to learn English and American culture. Too often, I see international students gather into social circles divided by country. Although hanging out with other Chinese students may seem natural and fun, you should be aware of what you're sacrificing.

• By speaking Chinese all the time, you don't get to practice English
• Americans will be intimidated by the large group of Chinese speakers surrounding you and won't approach you
• Having quickly made Chinese-speaking friends, you may lose the incentive to approach Americans
• Not belonging to an American group of friends means missing out on opportunities to assimilate American culture
• Not belonging to an American group of friends means missing out on opportunities to expand your professional network
  

At the first couple weeks of college, everybody is very open to making new friends. In most cases, if you talk to them, they'll talk to you. Everybody eats with everybody else and it's a lot of fun getting to know people. But after that 2-3 week period, people settle into their groups of friends and it becomes increasingly harder to enter those social circles.

Don't seek Americans with the goal of learning English; that relationship would be too artificial. Just find people you like and start hanging out with them. Spend time doing fun things with them.

However, being friends isn't the same as being best friends. In the American social circle, there are many stages of familiarity roughly broken down as,

• Acquaintance / classmate / coworker
• Friend of friend
• Friend
• Good friends
• Best friends / family
  

Making a friend is not the same as making a best friend. Being friends means hanging out together, but still with a considerable amount of personal space. For example, a friend that you hang out with would still want time to hang out with other friends, and they would still be uncomfortable talking about personal information such as their address or their salary.

4. Food
Unless you live in an area with a large Chinese community, it's hard to find good Chinese food. The sooner you get used to two staples of the American diet, the easier life will be,

• Cheese
• Salads
  

Almost all American food has some form of cheese or cream in it, even salads. You can ask for no cheese on everything you order, but then many dishes will also have no taste and no texture. Liking cheese opens up all the convenient options of American cuisine,

• Sandwiches
• Pizza
• Pasta
  

Americans can eat some combination of those three foods for every lunch, dinner and snack. Pizza happens to be the cheapest college food. Usually, if there's an organized event, there will be free pizza.

5. Roommate agreement
Most students will experience roommate conflicts. A roommate agreement created at the beginning of the year can help reduce misunderstandings and maybe even prevent conflicts. The roommate agreement should list potentially problematic scenarios and propose ways to solve them. For example,
. Χ

• What happens when one roommate wants a guy/girl to stay for the night?
• What's a comfortable temperature for each roommate?
• How loud can people play music or watch tv?
• What's the cleaning schedule?
• What is each roommate's contact information?
  

If you really have a strong opinion on something (for example, you really like cold temperatures), then don't say that you don't mind out of politeness. Agreeing to anything other than how you truly feel will only lead to confusion down the road.

It's also hard to foresee every problematic situation. So if an unexpectedly uncomfortable situation arises, don't ignore it and wait for it to arise again. Don't rationalize to yourself that it wasn't a big deal. If it really isn't a big deal, then it shouldn't be hard to talk to your roommate about it. Try to find an opportunity to talk to your roommate privately, explain how you feel and ask how she or he feels . Ask for your roommate's opinion first and let her or him help you. Keep in mind that most of the time, conflicts are really the results of misunderstandings. Clear the misunderstanding and the conflict usually dissipates.

If a conflict is serious, then ask your Resident Assistant or Resident Director for help.

6. Church
This might seem like an unorthodox suggestion, but it has nothing to do with religion. The church community is always welcoming towards new members. As long as you go to church activities with an open mind, you'll find some of the most generous and helpful people in your community. They genuinely want to help you, so don't take advantage of their kindness. I recommend going to social activities hosted by the church or small Bible study groups; I don't recommend attending the sermons on Sunday because the speeches may be hard to follow and the topic could be boring to people who are unfamiliar with Christianity.

Of course, the members of the church will want to teach you about God and Jesus, but those are actually great opportunities for you to improve your English. Reading the Bible aloud is helpful in both reading comprehension and pronunciation, and you can treat it like literature if you don't want to believe it.

If you don't want to go anymore, just explain that you're getting busier with work and there won't be any hard feelings.

Academics

7. Picking classes
If you want to aim for top grades, then picking classes is half the battle. I think most Chinese students have an idea of the difference between studying to get good grades and actually learning; picking classes takes advantage of that same disconnect.

You may have some language difficulties when you first arrive, so the first priority is to mitigate that disadvantage. When you pick classes, you should

• Avoid classes with reading and writing (Literature, History, Economics, Sociology, Journalism, etc)
• Pick classes where you already know the material (Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
• Look up professor ratings on a site such as Koofers: Professor Ratings, and pick professors that give out high grades on average
  

When you go through orientation, you'll have a chance to meet with an academic advisor who will help you pick classes. Don't trust 100% what he or she advises! Figure out how to pick classes and choose them weeks beforehand. Why? Because most advisors recommend that freshman take a broad range of classes to fulfill core graduation requirements. This means that they'll probably recommend that you take

• 1 math class
• 1 literature class (bad!)
• 1 history / economics class (bad!)
• 1 science class
• 1 major-related class
  

Out of 5 of the classes in your first semester, you'll have 2 that are probably unrelated to your major, but that you'll really struggle in. The two reading/writing-based classes will also distract you from your other classes. Nobody needs that stress while adapting to a new culture. Also, if the reading/writing classes are only required for core credits, then there's usually no required order in which you have to take them, so there's no reason to take them in the first year; wait until you're a junior or senior with more English experience before tackling them. Instead, your freshman schedule could look like

• 2 math classes
• 2 science classes
• 1 major-related class
  

The reason I recommend science classes is because there's less reading and writing, plus you probably already know all the material. Introductory level science classes in American colleges are actually high school level science classes in China.

If a class is full, don't worry. Sign-up for the wait-list. The common way for Americans to register for classes is to sign-up for more classes than they can handle, and then drop the ones that they don't like. There's no penalty for dropping a class within the first weeks of the semester. This is actually encouraged by universities because they want students to experiment with different classes. This also means that classes are oversubscribed and seats will usually free up after the first two weeks.

If you are on the wait-list, tell the professor on the first day of class. Then email the professor with your name and student ID and explain that you are on the wait-list and would like to be added to the class. Then continue to attend the class as if you were registered; this proves that you're serious about taking the class. After the first two weeks, the professor will usually add all the students on the wait-list to the class. When I was in college, I was on the wait-list for one class every single semester, and in only one case could the professor not add me to the class. But even in that situation, I talked to the professor and we figured out a way that I could earn the equivalent credits through independent research.

A special note to computer science majors: A significant number of American computer science students have years of programming experience before they start college. Unfortunately, the projects in the introductory level courses are usually harder because of that. Even with harder projects, there will be students who have enough experience to ace the projects effortless; these students really shouldn't be in the intro-level courses, but you'll have to put up with them. Don't be discouraged if they finish a week-long project in a day. You're here to learn, not to show off. Treat a computer science class like an art class. For people who didn't start programming at an early age, practice is your best friend (and maybe also Stack Overflow).

8. Asking questions
Professors expect students to ask questions. If you don't understand something in lecture or you want the professor to repeat something, raise your hand and ask a question.

• "Professor, could you repeat what you just said?"
• "Professor, could you explain what X means?"
• "Professor, could you give an example of X?"
  

9. Office hours
All professors and teaching assistants (TA) must have a set time each week where they are available to help students. The syllabus will detail when the office hours are.

Add the office hours to your schedule as if they were classes.

In many ways, office hours are even more important than lecture. Lecture is mostly to introduce students to concepts in the textbooks. Office hours are much more important because you can ask detailed questions of the class material and homework.

It's also extremely important to build a personal relationship with the professor and teaching assistant.

10. Don't cheat
American universities take cheating very seriously. In many undergrad and graduate programs, getting caught cheating is an automatic failure in the class. But the transcript will show an XF, which stands for academic dishonesty, instead of the normal F for failing. Future employers and academic programs will all be able to see the XF when they review the transcript.

Independence

11. Car
Unless you live in New York City, cars are the way to get anywhere. You'll need a car to go shopping, to get to work, to go to the hospital, to go the movies, to go the park, to visit friends, to travel. When you move off-campus, you'll need them to get to class.

Having a car really opens up options for internship opportunities.

I'd recommend buying a used car from a certified dealer, such as Carmax. (If you're interested in buying a used car directly from an owner, then bring a trustworthy mechanic to inspect the car.) A car that's 3 to 5 years old can be $5,000 to $10,000 cheaper than a new car. Also, your car insurance rates will be much lower.

Usually, when you buy something from a store in America, you simply pay the marked price, no hassling necessary. However, buying a car is one of the few commonly acceptable times to negotiate the price. If you're buying a new car, definitely bring along somebody who's bought a car before.

12. Credit card
A credit card is wonderfully convenient. But in addition to its convenience, it can help you establish your financial record by building consumer credit and a better credit score. Having more consumer credit and a good credit score will help you take out loans to purchase a car of a house. So how does consumer credit work?

Very simply, each time you use your credit card for purchases, it almost like taking a small loan. The credit card company pays for the goods and then you pay back the credit card company later. At the end of the month, you have the option of paying off the month's credit card balance (and you definitely should) or pay interest on the balance. If you consistently pay off your credit card balance on time, then you're proving that you're financially reliable and your credit score will go up.

Your credit score also increases if you make loan payments on time, such as student loans, car loans or home loans.

The algorithms that determine your actual credit score are complicated and mostly proprietary, but you can read more about it on Wikipedia, Credit score: United States.

Flourish

13. Jobs and internships
Americans really value doing, over knowing. Generally, it's more impressive to have work experience and awards than to have a high GPA. That's why it's very important for international students to gain work experience, especially through internships.

Usually, if an internship goes well, it's very simple to transition to a full-time position at the same company after graduation. Internship experience can also help you negotiate a higher starting salary.

Internships are sometimes difficult find, especially for international students. The standard way of finding an internship is to attend the career fair and submit resumes to recruiters. To me, this is a very difficult way to find a good internship because it's hard to differentiate yourself on a piece of paper.

I've found that directly contacting a leader in the company you want to work for is a much better method.

• First, research the company's projects.
• Figure out which roles are very suitable for your skillset. Especially pay attention to the jobs that you naturally find fun or interesting because employers are always looking for people who are passionate about their work.
• Starting from the top of the organization, contact people who can make a hiring decision. This saves a lot of time, because if the CEO says 'Yes', then you're in.
• Try to 1) meet them in person if you can, 2) otherwise call them, 3) and as a last resort, email them.
• Explain that you've studied their company's projects and you're especially interested in a project.
• Ask them questions about the project you want to work on, "Could you explain Project X in more detail?" This helps convince them that you're genuinely interested.
• Ask to meet the team. This really shows that you're interested in the project and serious about the work.
  

Hopefully, at the end of that exchange, you'll either have landed an interview or a perhaps even a verbal offer. Don't discuss salary until a second meeting; negotiating the salary also requires a lot of research and preparation and is a separate topic.

14. Parties
If you've done a good job of assimilating into American society, you'll get invited to a college party sooner or later. These gatherings can range from mild drinking to unsafe debauchery. A couple reminders,

• The drinking age is 21. You can't purchase alcohol from a restaurant or bar if you're under 21. Sure, students under 21 drink and party all the time on campus, but why risk it.
• Don't drink and drive. Keep the roads safe for everyone. If you can't drive, ask a friend for a ride or call a cab.
  

Remember that it's alright to politely refuse a drink. You can say anything from, "Nah, I'm going to take a break," to "Sorry, I don't like the taste of that."

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As always, if you have the courage and patience to translate this into Chinese, then go for it! =P

However, I might need to edit my answer in response to questions and I may ask people to help me update any translations.




以下为翻译：



译者按：在米国读了四年书的我想说，以下内容，很值得给新同学研读。

@Brian 原文，翻译如下。
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我并没有在美国留学，我在美国长大并且在中国留学。不过，我会给出我认为重要的建议。其他更细致的问题我会在评论里回答。
以下是我希望我可以说给每个留学生的话，



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I. 入乡随俗




1. 联系工具
很快，你就会认识帮助你的新朋友。如果他们是中国人，那么你可以继续使用以前的联系工具（QQ，微博，人人）。不过，我建议你去和美国人、别国留学生接触。如果你想和他们保持联系，你最好有以下工具

• 手机
  

手机，可能是最重要的联系方式。在美国，用手机发短信，和在中国一样流行。我知道，许多留学生带解锁的手机去美国，但是如果你没有，那么你需要买一部美国的手机。

• Gmail
  

这里基本所有人都会使用Gmail。申请Gmail之后，你就有使用Gchat的权限。因为Gchat建立在Gmail之内，所以它是一个应用广泛的聊天工具。申请Gmail还会可以给你使用Google Docs的权限。你会发现在做集体项目的时候，Google Docs是个非常有用的合作交流工具。

• Facebook
  

Facebook能有效的帮助你与你每天见的同学保持联系。而且，它是个帮助记住人名的好工具。

• LinkedIn
  

LinkedIn有点像求职版Facebook。你LinkedIn上的个人资料页面就相当于你的求职简历。



2. 身份证明
我遇到的大多数留学生，在考取驾照之前，把护照当他们的身份证使用。我觉得“不考驾照只能用护照”这种认识局限，使他们生活不必要的麻烦起来（除非你一来就计划买车并且考取驾照）。为了解决这种麻烦，

首先，你需要社会安全号码(SSN)。社会安全号十分、十分重要：这个号码相当于中国的身份证号。在申请州内身份证，申请工作，以及报税的时候，社会安全号是必须的。这份来自社会安全局的文件 ,http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/media/pdf/EN-05-10181.pdf ， 解释了国际学生(F-1, M-1 or J-1签证持有者) 如何申请社会安全号。根据这份文件，学校如果允许持F-1签证的学生在校内外工作，这个学生就可以去申请社会安全号。为了找到合法工作，并且申请到社会安全号，你需要这些东西：

• F-1，M-1 或者 J-1 签证
• I-94表（来自机场的 抵达/离境记录）
• I-20表（来自学校的 合法学生身份证明）
• 来自学校的 证明你的学生身份和工作资格的推荐信
• 来自雇主的 雇用信
  

关于工作资格的推荐信，你可以咨询你的法律顾问或者是学院顾问。至于雇用信，最简单的方式，应该是在学校内找一份工作。

一旦你拿到社会安全号，你就可以申请州内的身份证了。
每个州都有自己的身份证（ID卡)。ID卡看起来十分像驾照，但是它只能用于身份证明。（驾照则可同时用于驾驶证明和身份证明）。一张ID卡能有效方便你申请工作，银行开户，租房，买酒，等等。有了自己的ID卡，你就不需要带着你的护照出行了（没人想把护照弄丢）。外加你的学生证，在需要特别确认你身份的特殊情况，你就可以出示两种身份证明，增加可信度。



3. 美国朋友
最好的练习英语、学习美国文化的方式，是交美国朋友。我总是看见，留学生聚集在他们自己国人的社交圈内。虽然中国人和中国人玩，看起来顺其自然，又有意思。但是，你需要注意到这种社交模式，牺牲了什么东西：

• 总是说中文，你没有机会练习英语
• 美国人会因为你身边一大堆说中文的人被吓跑，不想接近你
• 迅速交到说中文的朋友，你可能就此失去了接触美国人的动机
• 不进入美国的朋友圈子意味这你会失去吸收美国文化的机会
• 不进入美国的朋友圈子意味着你会失去拓展你职业圈子的机会
  

在大学刚开始的几周，每个人都会很开放的去交新朋友。在大多数情况下，如果你跟他们说话，他们就会跟你说话。每个人和新朋友吃饭，交到新朋友，一切有趣而开放。但是，2-3周之后，人们就开始呆在他们自己的朋友圈子内。这个时候开始，进入他们的社交圈变得越来越难。
. Χ
不要抱着学英语的心态和美国人交朋友。这样的友谊显得太刻意。找到你真正喜欢的人，和他们出去玩，和他们做有趣的事。

但是，交朋友并不意味着交心。在美国社交圈内，依照熟悉程度，朋友被大概分为以下的种类

• 点头之交/同学/同事
• 朋友的朋友
• 朋友
• 好朋友
• 密友/家人
  

交普通朋友和交心不是一回事。做普通朋友，意味着你们可以一起出去玩，但是彼此保有私人空间。举个栗子，一个和你一起出去玩的普通朋友，依然会想找时间和别人出去玩。当他们和你讨论私人话题，比如家庭住址和薪水的时候，依然会有顾忌。



4. 饮食
除非你住在一个有大量中国人的地区，不然，你很难找到好吃的中国菜。你越快适应美国的饮食文化，你的日子越好过。

• 奶酪
• 沙拉
  

几乎所有美国食品，都带一点奶酪和奶油，甚至包括沙拉。你点任何东西，都可以选择不要奶酪，但是没有奶酪，许多菜就失去了口感和味道。习惯奶酪，能为你在美国饮食文化中开辟一片新天地。

• 三明治
• 比萨饼
• 意粉
  

美国人可以年复一年，日复一日，早餐到晚餐，只吃这三种东西，或者这三种东西的组合。比萨饼是大学里最便宜的食物。一般来说，组织群体活动的时候，主办方会提供免费比萨。



5 室友合约
许多学生会面临与室友的冲突。一份刚开始就达成的室友合约可以帮助你们减少误解，有效避免冲突的可能性。室友合约应该列出可能发生问题的情况，并且有解决方案针对不同问题。比如：

• 室友想让同性/异性朋友过夜，该如何处理？
• 房间的温度应该调在多少？
• 放音乐或看电视应该调到多大声？
• 清扫宿舍的时间表是什么？
• 每个室友的联系方式是什么？
  

如果你对某方面有非常强烈的要求（比如，你想让房间温度低一些），那么你不要出于客气而说你无所谓。违背你真实感受而妥协，长此以往，会造成困扰。

你们不可能预见所有问题。所以，如果有什么意想之外、不舒服的情况发生，不要忽略它们，坐等它们再次发生。不要给自己催眠：“这不是什么大事”。如果真不是什么大事，你应该可以很轻松的反映给你室友，解决掉。尝试和你室友私下交流一次，说一说你的感受，并听一听他的感受。事先询问室友的意见，并让他们帮助你。记住，大多数时候，误解是冲突之源。消除误解，冲突便烟消云散。

如果你们的冲突十分严重，那么去向你的宿舍管理员，或宿舍指导员，寻求帮助。



6. 教堂
以下可能看起像非正统的建议，但是这和宗教信仰无关。教会一直欢迎新加入者。只要你带着一个开放的思维去参加教会活动，你会发现很多乐于助人的人。他们真诚的想帮助你，所以，别因为他们的善良，去占他们的便宜。我建议你多去教会、佛教协会组织的社会活动。但是，我不建议你去参加周日的布道会。因为，布道的内容很难理解，并且，演讲的主题对不了解基督教的人，甚是无聊。

当然，教堂的成员会尝试向你传教，向你介绍上帝和耶稣。这些是你提高英语的好机会。大声诵读圣经，帮助你提高阅读理解和发音。如果你不信教，你可以把圣经当做纯粹的文学作品去阅读。

如果你今后不想去教会了，直接说你任务繁重，他们不会为难你。
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II. 力学笃行

7. 选课
如果你想得到好成绩，选课的功劳占到一半。我觉得，许多中国学生会认为，拿好成绩和学到真本事，是两回事。好的选课技巧，可以帮助你同时兼得这两点。

刚开始的时候，你可能会有语言障碍，所以要首先注意去避免这个短板。在你选课时，你应该：

• 避免大量阅读和写作的课程（文学，历史，经济，社会学，传媒，等等）
• 选一些包含你熟悉内容的课程（数学，生物，化学，物理）
• 查询教授评级网站，比如 Koofers: Professor Ratings，选那些给高分的教授。
  

当你参加学校Orientation的时候，你会有机会去见你的课程顾问（academic advisor），他们可以帮助你选课。不要100%相信他们的建议！你该提前几周研究选课，开始选课。为什么？因为许多顾问会推荐大一学生跨领域广泛选课，以此满足毕业核心课程要求。他们可能会建议你选

• 一节数学课
• 一节文学课（差评！）
• 一节历史/经济课（差评！）
• 一节科学课
• 一节专业课
  

看这份课程表。第一学期的五节课之中，有两节与你专业无关的课，但是你会被那两节鸡肋课程搞得不得安宁。这两门基于英语读写的课程，会让你大量分心。在适应新文化的关键时期，没有人希望面对这样的压力。另一方面。如果这些读写课程只是为满足核心课程学分，一般来说，学校不对这些课的上课顺序做硬性要求。因此，你根本没必要第一学期就上它们。等到你大三或者大四，有更多英语基础后，你再处理这些课。
你的大一课表应该看起来这样子：

• 两节数学课
• 两节科学课
• 一节专业课
  

我推荐科学课的原因是因为它们需要更少的英语读写，更别说，你可能以前就熟悉这些知识了。美国大学的初级科学课程，实际上就是中国高中的课程内容。
. 1point 3acres
如果班级已满，别担心，去加wait list。美国人最常用的招数是注册很多的课，多到它们无法处理过来的课，然后在开学几周内，drop掉一些他们不喜欢的。大学实际上推荐这种做法，因为他们希望学生去体验不同的课程。这也意味着，有些课，开学被挤爆，过两个礼拜之后，位子就会被空出。

如果你在wait list上，在上课第一天就告诉教授，然后给教授送email，写上你的名字和学生号，并且解释你在wait list上，你想进班。然后，你继续像已经选进班的同学那样去上课。这样可以体现你想上这门课的诚意。两周过后，教授一般会把所有wait list上的学生正式加进课程。当我在念书的时候，我每个学期都有一节课在wait list上，教授最后没把我加进来的情况，我只碰到一次。但即使是那次没加进课，我和教授聊了聊之后，研究出了一种可以通过做独立研究项目，替代相关学分的方法，解决了学分的问题

特别的小建议给计算机专业的同学：许多美国计算机专业学生，入校前就已经有了许多年的编程经验。正是因为如此，计算机入门课程的项目会比你想象的难。甚至面对这些略难的项目，那些有经验的学生可以不费吹灰之力搞定。这些学生的水平，实际不在入门课程的等级。不过，你不得不和他们一起上课。不要因为你花了一个礼拜搞定的项目，而他们就花了一天这种事，而沮丧。你是来这里学习的，不是来这里寻找存在感的。把计算机的课当做艺术课来上。对于那些没有编程经验的同学，书山有路，勤为径，代码不熟，做练习。（Stack Overflow，CSDN 也是你的良师益友）



8. 勤问问题
教授都期待学生问他问题。如果，在课堂上没理解某样东西，或者你希望教授重复某项知识，你可以举手并且提问

• "Professor, could you repeat what you just said?"
• “教授，可以重复一下你刚刚说的吗？”
• "Professor, could you explain what X means?"
• “教授，可以解释一下X是什么意思吗？"
• "Professor, could you give an example of X?"
• ”教授，可以举出一个关于X的例子吗？“
  

9. Office hours
所有教授或者TA一定会在每周定下固定的一段Office hours，用于授业解惑。一般课程说明（syllabus）会注明office hour的时间和地点。

把office hour的时间加到你的时间表里。

从很多方面来说，office hours比课堂更重要。课堂上，教授主要是在给学生介绍教科书上的概念。office hour里，你可以问更多关于课堂资料和作业的细节问题。

同时，和教授以及TA建立人际关系，十分、十分重要。



10. 别作弊
作弊在美国的大学里是很严重的事情。很多本科和研究生的项目里，被抓到作弊，本门课自动挂科。但是，成绩单上会显示XF而不是F，显示你是因为学术欺诈而不是因为普通原因，挂掉这门课。未来的雇主，科学院校，或者其他大学，都会在你成绩单上看见XF的记录。



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III. 独立自主




11. 车
除非你住在纽约，车，是你出行的最佳方式。你要开着车，去购物，去上班，去医院，去看电影，去公园，去旅行，去找朋友耍。当你搬出宿舍之后，你还需要开着车，去上学。

有一辆车，大大增加了你做实习的机会。



12. 信用卡
使用信用卡很便利。除了它的便利之外，它还能帮助你建立你的良好的信用记录和消费记录。有了更多消费记录和更好的信用记录，你可以拿到更好的房贷，更好的车贷。那么，信用记录是怎么建立的呢？

很简单。每次你用你的信用卡消费的时候，你就相当于贷了一次小额贷款。信用卡公司帮你为商品付款。之后，你再还款给信用卡公司。在每月月末，你会有机会付清你一个月的信用卡贷款（而且你必须付清）和利息。如果你持续的按期还款，那么就证明你的经济稳定，你的信用分数就会增长。

计算具体信用分数的算法十分复杂，几乎是专利。但是你可以从wiki了解更多相关知识 Credit score: United States。





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VI. 得心应手



13. 工作和实习
美国人重实践，轻理论。总之，有工作经验和奖项比高GPA更让人印象深刻。这就是为什么留学生通过工作，特别是通过实习，获得工作经验，是十分重要的事。

一般来说，如果一份实习进行的很顺利，毕业后在同公司转正成全职会很简单。实习经验还能帮助你和HR交涉，得到更高的薪水。

实习在某种程度上说，有些难找，特别是对留学生。一般找实习的方法是去参加学校的招聘会，把你的简历递交给招聘人员。对于我来说，这是一个非常难找到好实习的方法，因为，在薄薄的一张纸上，描绘自己整个人，很难啊。

我发现，更好的方法是，直接联系你目标公司的领导

• 首先，调查公司的现有项目
• 找到你在项目能发挥特长、适合的角色。特别是注意那些你觉得很有趣的工作。雇主总是想雇佣一个能在工作中保持激情的员工，兴趣带来的激情，无需伪装。
• 从公司组织最上端入切入，联系一个可以做留/走决定的人。这样可以节省大量时间。不管其他人，只要CEO说了“可以”，你，就可以。
• 尝试着 1）和他们见面 2）不然，打电话给他们 3）最后手段，发email给他们
• 解释你了解到的，公司项目的相关信息，突出你对这个项目特别的兴趣
• 问一些关于项目的问题，“能不能更详细的解释一下项目X？” 这会帮助你给公司人员留下了 “我很感兴趣”的印象。
• 要求和小组成员见面。这种行为，显示出你对项目真正有兴趣，并且打算认真对待这份工作。
  

最理想的情况是，在交涉的最后，你得到一份面试机会，甚至是一份口头协议。直到第二次面试之前，不要讨论薪水。在交涉薪水问题之前，你需要大量相关研究和准备。况且，薪水和面试问题，是不同的话题。



14. 派对
如果你很好的融入了美国社会，你早晚会被邀请去一个大学派对。这些派对，有喝酒聊天小聚会，也有大麻毒品性趴体。几点提醒：

• 合法喝酒年龄为21岁。如果你低于21岁，你不能从酒吧或餐馆里购买酒精饮料。当然，目前，小于21岁的学生都放肆的在校园里喝酒，开趴体。但是，你何必冒这个风险呢。
• 为了每个人的安全着想，不要醉酒驾驶。如果你不能开车，让朋友送你一程，或叫辆计程车。
  

记住，拒酒是没问题的。你可以委婉的说，“今日鄙人略有不适，酒精暂免”，也可以强硬的说，“酒精之味向来不喜，对不起再见”。

文章里有一些内容是针对本科生来说的，不过地里的大家应该也能受益。

翻译功力了得！

“今日鄙人略有不适，酒精暂免”，也可以强硬的说，“酒精之味向来不喜，对不起再见”。
哈哈哈哈哈哈哈

Quite Helpful

好帖，真心赞！！