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Advice for a College Freshman (1 Viewer)

time management is key: plan your work, work your plan.

I found it helpful to have a part time job where I could study while doing my duties - I worked in a PC lab for a while. All I had to do was be present to make sure no one stole computers and help un-jam the printer or whatever...mostly what I did was my own homework while on the clock.

prioritize class work, especially as a freshman. It's really, really easy to get distracted, being in a new environment and all. Lots of folks from your freshman dorm floor won't make it through - don't be that guy.

learn to drink coffee.

take lots of pictures, it goes by fast.

participate in what ever groups you find interesting - sports, inter-collegiate competitions, etc. Find a niche beyond homework, partying, and zoning.

ETA: never turn down a road trip. traveling is always fun.

 
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'NutterButter said:
'[icon] said:
It's pretty obvious there are two completely different approaches in this thread.... 1) Optimize your entire college experience around getting the best possible education/grades as possible2) Optimze your entire college experience around enjoying yourself as much as possible while doing good enough in the education department.
#2 FTW. Best 4 years of your life. After that, the crap hits the fan. Responsibilities out the wazoo. As long as you go to a really good school and get solid grades and a good major like something in software engineering, you'll be just fine career wise.
i should have focused on 1a bit more. I was was into 2 and had to transfer :bag:
 
Something that worked great for me (albeit 10 years ago, but I assume this is still the case)...

If you know you're horrible at a subject that is a requirement but not part of your major, take it at community college back home over summer break. The class will probably be easier. And the credit will transfer as pass/fail and won't hurt your GPA since you didn't take it at your home institution.

 
Something that worked great for me (albeit 10 years ago, but I assume this is still the case)...If you know you're horrible at a subject that is a requirement but not part of your major, take it at community college back home over summer break. The class will probably be easier. And the credit will transfer as pass/fail and won't hurt your GPA since you didn't take it at your home institution.
:yes:He's currently taking a useless English class at a CC which will transfer.
 
'NutterButter said:
'[icon] said:
It's pretty obvious there are two completely different approaches in this thread.... 1) Optimize your entire college experience around getting the best possible education/grades as possible2) Optimze your entire college experience around enjoying yourself as much as possible while doing good enough in the education department.
#2 FTW. Best 4 years of your life. After that, the crap hits the fan. Responsibilities out the wazoo. As long as you go to a really good school and get solid grades and a good major like something in software engineering, you'll be just fine career wise.
if you are in a software engineering major and don't focus on #1, you will not graduate with a degree in software engineering.
 
'NutterButter said:
'[icon] said:
It's pretty obvious there are two completely different approaches in this thread.... 1) Optimize your entire college experience around getting the best possible education/grades as possible2) Optimze your entire college experience around enjoying yourself as much as possible while doing good enough in the education department.
#2 FTW. Best 4 years of your life. After that, the crap hits the fan. Responsibilities out the wazoo. As long as you go to a really good school and get solid grades and a good major like something in software engineering, you'll be just fine career wise.
if you are in a software engineering major and don't focus on #1, you will not graduate with a degree in software engineering.
Let's be honest here... generally speaking if you're a software engineering major you're not going to have a full set of options available to you if you choose option 2 anyway :)
 
'NutterButter said:
'[icon] said:
It's pretty obvious there are two completely different approaches in this thread.... 1) Optimize your entire college experience around getting the best possible education/grades as possible2) Optimze your entire college experience around enjoying yourself as much as possible while doing good enough in the education department.
#2 FTW. Best 4 years of your life. After that, the crap hits the fan. Responsibilities out the wazoo. As long as you go to a really good school and get solid grades and a good major like something in software engineering, you'll be just fine career wise.
if you are in a software engineering major and don't focus on #1, you will not graduate with a degree in software engineering.
Let's be honest here... generally speaking if you're a software engineering major you're not going to have a full set of options available to you if you choose option 2 anyway :)
disagree. video games aren't gonna play themselves.
 
'NutterButter said:
'[icon] said:
It's pretty obvious there are two completely different approaches in this thread.... 1) Optimize your entire college experience around getting the best possible education/grades as possible2) Optimze your entire college experience around enjoying yourself as much as possible while doing good enough in the education department.
#2 FTW. Best 4 years of your life. After that, the crap hits the fan. Responsibilities out the wazoo. As long as you go to a really good school and get solid grades and a good major like something in software engineering, you'll be just fine career wise.
if you are in a software engineering major and don't focus on #1, you will not graduate with a degree in software engineering.
Let's be honest here... generally speaking if you're a software engineering major you're not going to have a full set of options available to you if you choose option 2 anyway :)
What's so hard about being a software engineering major?
 
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'NutterButter said:
'[icon] said:
It's pretty obvious there are two completely different approaches in this thread.... 1) Optimize your entire college experience around getting the best possible education/grades as possible2) Optimze your entire college experience around enjoying yourself as much as possible while doing good enough in the education department.
#2 FTW. Best 4 years of your life. After that, the crap hits the fan. Responsibilities out the wazoo. As long as you go to a really good school and get solid grades and a good major like something in software engineering, you'll be just fine career wise.
if you are in a software engineering major and don't focus on #1, you will not graduate with a degree in software engineering.
I mentioned you need to get solid grades. It certainly is a balancing act. But between the 2 choices, I'd definitely go with #2. Got my degree from Carnegie Mellon in information systems. An example where you're placing more emphasis on #2 then #1 is you get a bunch of electives. There's a ton of courses where an easy A is there to be had. So instead of taking a tough elective where sure you'd learn some cool stuff, take the easy elective, get the easy A which can now balance out a C in a harder course. Some of the electives school offer are just amazing. I was allowed to take two physical educations "classes" that each amounted to a credit; normal class being 3 credits. One of the classes I took was called jogging for fitness where each week you just wrote how much you ran that week on a clipboard on the wall. Racquetball was the other class I took b/c the soccer coach taught it, I knew him well as I played on the team for a year and he didn't care if I came.
 
'NutterButter said:
'[icon] said:
It's pretty obvious there are two completely different approaches in this thread.... 1) Optimize your entire college experience around getting the best possible education/grades as possible2) Optimze your entire college experience around enjoying yourself as much as possible while doing good enough in the education department.
#2 FTW. Best 4 years of your life. After that, the crap hits the fan. Responsibilities out the wazoo. As long as you go to a really good school and get solid grades and a good major like something in software engineering, you'll be just fine career wise.
if you are in a software engineering major and don't focus on #1, you will not graduate with a degree in software engineering.
Let's be honest here... generally speaking if you're a software engineering major you're not going to have a full set of options available to you if you choose option 2 anyway :)
What's so hard about being a software engineering major?
Getting laid for starters :P
 
Join a fraternity that's not full of dbags. Yes, it's possible. As someone who started in the dorms his freshman year and movie into a fraternity halfway through my first semester it's a much better experience.

 
Try to go the whole first year without missing a class.

Have lots of sex - the number of attractive and available girls in a nearby vicinity goes off a cliff shortly after graduation.

Drink lots of beer

Study the same two hours every day.

Get a job at a small business where you can apprentice in the real world.

Major in something that facinates you even if you can't think of the real world use for it. A 4.0 music history degree is worth a lot more than a 2.2 accounting degree.
Sorry, but with all due respect I'm going to differ with you. I was an accounting major, balanced working my tail off and partying whenever possible. Had a blast, and am making (at least to me) quite comfortable living 6 years out. Maybe just a bad comparison/analogy, but accounting is not engineering/pre-med. You work hard in the major classes, but have more than enough time to drink whenever (let's go with the weekends and 2 mights a week) and make solid cash once you're out and get the CPA.I'd love to compare notes on salaries+benefits with the music history majors now.

 
Try to go the whole first year without missing a class.

Have lots of sex - the number of attractive and available girls in a nearby vicinity goes off a cliff shortly after graduation.

Drink lots of beer

Study the same two hours every day.

Get a job at a small business where you can apprentice in the real world.

Major in something that facinates you even if you can't think of the real world use for it. A 4.0 music history degree is worth a lot more than a 2.2 accounting degree.
Sorry, but with all due respect I'm going to differ with you. I was an accounting major, balanced working my tail off and partying whenever possible. Had a blast, and am making (at least to me) quite comfortable living 6 years out. Maybe just a bad comparison/analogy, but accounting is not engineering/pre-med. You work hard in the major classes, but have more than enough time to drink whenever (let's go with the weekends and 2 mights a week) and make solid cash once you're out and get the CPA.I'd love to compare notes on salaries+benefits with the music history majors now.
What was your gpa?My point wasn't that music history is a better degree than accounting. My point was that good gpa > bad gpa more than good-field > bad-field.

 
Try to go the whole first year without missing a class.

Have lots of sex - the number of attractive and available girls in a nearby vicinity goes off a cliff shortly after graduation.

Drink lots of beer

Study the same two hours every day.

Get a job at a small business where you can apprentice in the real world.

Major in something that facinates you even if you can't think of the real world use for it. A 4.0 music history degree is worth a lot more than a 2.2 accounting degree.
Sorry, but with all due respect I'm going to differ with you. I was an accounting major, balanced working my tail off and partying whenever possible. Had a blast, and am making (at least to me) quite comfortable living 6 years out. Maybe just a bad comparison/analogy, but accounting is not engineering/pre-med. You work hard in the major classes, but have more than enough time to drink whenever (let's go with the weekends and 2 mights a week) and make solid cash once you're out and get the CPA.I'd love to compare notes on salaries+benefits with the music history majors now.
What was your gpa?My point wasn't that music history is a better degree than accounting. My point was that good gpa > bad gpa more than good-field > bad-field.
Higher than a 2.2, but I see your point. I think it's a shame, but unless you're going to law/medical/other grad school right away, if you don't have a degree in a discipline where there's a solid job market or you went to a top tier school and studied music history, you are going to struggle to get a career going out of the gate. I quit rowing, which I loved, because I was in computer science and realized it was not for me (in over my head) and bailed into an accounting/info systems double major before it affected my GPA. Knew it was time to focus on enjoying college life more and setting myself up for a job, plus I wasn't getting any grant/scholarship money to row so that made the decision less complicated. I wish I could say college is all about partying and enriching your intellect, but at some point you need to turn some ROI/start a career, life is not a music history fairytale where money falls off of trees after you graduate with a 4.0 in that major.So yes, you should be able to study what you enjoy, but unfortunately that's not gonna work in today's economy unless you have something lined up already via family, etc.

 
Good stuff in here. Would add, if not already mentioned, to start off your first semester on the light side. Take the minimum amount of credit hours to be full-time, (usually 12). And don't load up the first semester with a bunch of challenging classes. Mix it up a little, but too many people I know took too many credits or too hard of classes the first semester and regretted it.

 
When I tutored in college, I used to tell folks to study the professors just as much as the class. What I mean is that profs all have distinctive styles and if your goal is to get good grades, especially out of the blocks, you want to know how that prof operates. I had a marketing professor who was just a bold term to bold term type on exams, where I had another prof that would quiz you on literally every line in a book he asked you to read. Why spend equal time on those two classes when one clearly required more investment of my time? I should clarify, I never intended to go into marketing either, so it was just a requirement class.

 
After just graduating my big three (which have been said in various places but are worth repeating).

1) Definitely get involved in clubs and activities. You can only talk about your 4.0 GPA for so long - most recruiters these days are looking for leadership qualities and students to demonstrate they can handle both their studies and other responsibilities.

2) Study abroad. Even if your school doesn't offer the best programs you can always direct enroll in a university abroad. It is an experience that will be totally worth it - and it pays off double by being able to talk about your unique experiences while job hunting.

3) Start out strong. Stay on top of your school work the first semester and year.

 
There are two types of people in college: Jocks and Nerds. As a jock, it is your job to give the nerds a hard time.

 
'eaganwildcats said:
After just graduating my big three (which have been said in various places but are worth repeating).

1) Definitely get involved in clubs and activities. You can only talk about your 4.0 GPA for so long - most recruiters these days are looking for leadership qualities and students to demonstrate they can handle both their studies and other responsibilities.



2) Study abroad. Even if your school doesn't offer the best programs you can always direct enroll in a university abroad. It is an experience that will be totally worth it - and it pays off double by being able to talk about your unique experiences while job hunting.

3) Start out strong. Stay on top of your school work the first semester and year.
Great list. I studied at CIMBA in Italy after my first year of my MBA and it was the best thing I ever did. The program is twice as expensive as it was when I was there, but even at $6k for a month it is worth it. You've got the rest of your life to pay that off but the experience is priceless.

 
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'Abraham said:
'Pick said:
'Mr. Pickles said:
Makes me glad I was married before college.
GB this shtick...Yeah, Partying 7 nights a week and bedding random coeds all the time really is boring. :lmao:
Relax, Partyguy. Been there done that. :lmao:
When?
High School. :shrug:
That sucks. College chicks are a lot better.
Pick was a WILD MAN at 16... You best check yourself
 
'Abraham said:
'Pick said:
'Mr. Pickles said:
Makes me glad I was married before college.
GB this shtick...Yeah, Partying 7 nights a week and bedding random coeds all the time really is boring. :lmao:
Relax, Partyguy. Been there done that. :lmao:
When?
High School. :shrug:
That sucks. College chicks are a lot better.
You tell me a better place to have sex with 15 yo's./Homer
 
'Abraham said:
'Pick said:
'Mr. Pickles said:
Makes me glad I was married before college.
GB this shtick...Yeah, Partying 7 nights a week and bedding random coeds all the time really is boring. :lmao:
Relax, Partyguy. Been there done that. :lmao:
When?
High School. :shrug:
That sucks. College chicks are a lot better.
I'm sure they are. It's probably best for everyone that I was married during college. Woulda gotten ugly I'm sure.
 
'Abraham said:
'Pick said:
'Mr. Pickles said:
Makes me glad I was married before college.
GB this shtick...Yeah, Partying 7 nights a week and bedding random coeds all the time really is boring. :lmao:
Relax, Partyguy. Been there done that. :lmao:
When?
High School. :shrug:
That sucks. College chicks are a lot better.
Pick was a WILD MAN at 16... You best check yourself
I don't understand why you're getting all riled up about this. It's like you feel you were insulted in some way so you gotta be a dbag or something to save face. Simmer down, Guy. :lmao:
 
'Abraham said:
'Pick said:
'Mr. Pickles said:
Makes me glad I was married before college.
GB this shtick...Yeah, Partying 7 nights a week and bedding random coeds all the time really is boring. :lmao:
Relax, Partyguy. Been there done that. :lmao:
When?
High School. :shrug:
That sucks. College chicks are a lot better.
I'm sure they are. It's probably best for everyone that I was married during college. Woulda gotten ugly I'm sure.
did you go to byu? if so, i'm guessing you're joking considering the culture there.
 
'Abraham said:
'Pick said:
'Mr. Pickles said:
Makes me glad I was married before college.
GB this shtick...Yeah, Partying 7 nights a week and bedding random coeds all the time really is boring. :lmao:
Relax, Partyguy. Been there done that. :lmao:
When?
High School. :shrug:
That sucks. College chicks are a lot better.
I'm sure they are. It's probably best for everyone that I was married during college. Woulda gotten ugly I'm sure.
did you go to byu? if so, i'm guessing you're joking considering the culture there.
I went to several colleges including BYU. I've heard good and bad regarding that context of BYU culture but I honestly have no clue what it's really like there. I went to class then went back to work or back home. I'm sure it's easy to find that kind of stuff regardless of the college. :unsure:
 
'Abraham said:
'Pick said:
'Mr. Pickles said:
Makes me glad I was married before college.
GB this shtick...Yeah, Partying 7 nights a week and bedding random coeds all the time really is boring. :lmao:
Relax, Partyguy. Been there done that. :lmao:
When?
High School. :shrug:
That sucks. College chicks are a lot better.
I'm sure they are. It's probably best for everyone that I was married during college. Woulda gotten ugly I'm sure.
did you go to byu? if so, i'm guessing you're joking considering the culture there.
I went to several colleges including BYU. I've heard good and bad regarding that context of BYU culture but I honestly have no clue what it's really like there. I went to class then went back to work or back home. I'm sure it's easy to find that kind of stuff regardless of the college. :unsure:
The colleges others are referring to don't have an honor code like byu's. No drinking, drugs, sex before marriage.
 
'Abraham said:
'Pick said:
'Mr. Pickles said:
Makes me glad I was married before college.
GB this shtick...Yeah, Partying 7 nights a week and bedding random coeds all the time really is boring. :lmao:
Relax, Partyguy. Been there done that. :lmao:
When?
High School. :shrug:
That sucks. College chicks are a lot better.
I'm sure they are. It's probably best for everyone that I was married during college. Woulda gotten ugly I'm sure.
did you go to byu? if so, i'm guessing you're joking considering the culture there.
I went to several colleges including BYU. I've heard good and bad regarding that context of BYU culture but I honestly have no clue what it's really like there. I went to class then went back to work or back home. I'm sure it's easy to find that kind of stuff regardless of the college. :unsure:
The colleges others are referring to don't have an honor code like byu's. No drinking, drugs, sex before marriage.
Someone didn't tell Brandon Davies.
 
Ease into it your first semester with the class schedule. Don't try to overachieve with too many tough classes right out of the gate. Schedule some face time with your professor if you end up struggling in any classes.

 
Surprised no one has said much about drugs, other than some weed smoking and a reference to 'shrooms. This is something that was rampant, for better or worse, when I was going to school. There are going to be drugs everywhere if your kid is interested. Experimentation can be a lot of fun, and even beneficial in some ways. I would recommend dabbling a bit, but dabbling is where it should end. Smoking a bit of weed, taking mushrooms or acid on occasion, a couple of nights on ecstacy or a weekend cocaine or speed binge can be a great time. But there are some rules that I wish someone had shared with me:

-For the love of god stay away from heroin and meth!!! These drugs don't end well for so many people they aren't worth even experimenting with.

- Be very careful and conscientious about consumption, as you and your friends will do stupid crap while high- and things can go seriously bad in a hurry. Addiction/ dependence is a very real thing; as are arrest and injury/ death by either overdose or misadventure.

-If you're going to do drugs, do them with people you trust in a controlled environment. Don't go out to places unless you are very familiar with them and the things going on at them otherwise you'll end up somewhere you shouldn't be doing things you shouldn't be doing. Also, if you're going out make damn sure the transportation is safe.

-Talk about what you're experiencing with the people you are with, assuming they are on the same drugs. Otherwise, keep your mouth shut about what you are experiencing.

-Don't ever spend more on your drugs than you would in a long night at the bar slamming liquor.

I'm sure there are others, but those are the things that stick out from my own experiences in those bygone days.

 
Surprised no one has said much about drugs, other than some weed smoking and a reference to 'shrooms. This is something that was rampant, for better or worse, when I was going to school. There are going to be drugs everywhere if your kid is interested. Experimentation can be a lot of fun, and even beneficial in some ways. I would recommend dabbling a bit, but dabbling is where it should end. Smoking a bit of weed, taking mushrooms or acid on occasion, a couple of nights on ecstacy or a weekend cocaine or speed binge can be a great time. But there are some rules that I wish someone had shared with me:
Amen brother
 
Aside from my lecture, based on personal experience, on the destructive power of drugs and alcohol, the biggest piece of advice: PEOPLE DON'T PAY FOR "B" WORK. Get used to the idea. At The Firm, we fired people who did 'B' work. Not only fired them, but fired them with a vengeance. Planning on Med School? Don't have a transcript full of B's because that won't cut it. Planning on a top-20 B-school after a few years work? You won't land the job you need before B-school in order to get into a top-20 when you have a transcript full of B's. The goal here: Maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher because dad doesn't pay for "B" work, either. My 18 year-old stepdaughter has heard a modified version of this monthly for at least a year, now.

 
'johnnycakes said:
Aside from my lecture, based on personal experience, on the destructive power of drugs and alcohol, the biggest piece of advice: PEOPLE DON'T PAY FOR "B" WORK. Get used to the idea. At The Firm, we fired people who did 'B' work. Not only fired them, but fired them with a vengeance. Planning on Med School? Don't have a transcript full of B's because that won't cut it. Planning on a top-20 B-school after a few years work? You won't land the job you need before B-school in order to get into a top-20 when you have a transcript full of B's. The goal here: Maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher because dad doesn't pay for "B" work, either. My 18 year-old stepdaughter has heard a modified version of this monthly for at least a year, now.
:goodposting:My son is in a challenging Biology/Pre-Dental program, with aspirations on dental school after his undergrad. It has been made abundantly clear that "B" work will not cut it in my eyes, or in the eyes of any decent dental school. To emphasize the point, we have required that he take out a student loan (in HIS name) in the amount of his academic tuition. We will pay for the other tuition charges (room & board, books, etc). If he brings home less than a 3.0, he is responsible for paying back 100% of the student loan for the semester. 3.0-3.25, we will pay for 25%, 3.25-3.5, we will pay 50%, 3.5+, we'll completely pay it off.
 
There are three rules to live by:

1. Never get less than twelve hours sleep

2. Never play cards with a guy who has the same first name as a city

3. Never get involved with a woman with a tattoo of a dagger on her body.

Now if he sticks to that, everything else is cream cheese.

 
There are three rules to live by: 1. Never get less than twelve hours sleep2. Never play cards with a guy who has the same first name as a city3. Never get involved with a woman with a tattoo of a dagger on her body. Now if he sticks to that, everything else is cream cheese.
Finally.
 
There are three rules to live by: 1. Never get less than twelve hours sleep2. Never play cards with a guy who has the same first name as a city3. Never get involved with a woman with a tattoo of a dagger on her body. Now if he sticks to that, everything else is cream cheese.
4. Never choose a school more than 90 minutes away from 3000 vertical feet of lift-serviced powder skiing
 
'johnnycakes said:
Aside from my lecture, based on personal experience, on the destructive power of drugs and alcohol, the biggest piece of advice: PEOPLE DON'T PAY FOR "B" WORK. Get used to the idea. At The Firm, we fired people who did 'B' work. Not only fired them, but fired them with a vengeance. Planning on Med School? Don't have a transcript full of B's because that won't cut it. Planning on a top-20 B-school after a few years work? You won't land the job you need before B-school in order to get into a top-20 when you have a transcript full of B's. The goal here: Maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher because dad doesn't pay for "B" work, either. My 18 year-old stepdaughter has heard a modified version of this monthly for at least a year, now.
:goodposting:My son is in a challenging Biology/Pre-Dental program, with aspirations on dental school after his undergrad. It has been made abundantly clear that "B" work will not cut it in my eyes, or in the eyes of any decent dental school. To emphasize the point, we have required that he take out a student loan (in HIS name) in the amount of his academic tuition. We will pay for the other tuition charges (room & board, books, etc). If he brings home less than a 3.0, he is responsible for paying back 100% of the student loan for the semester. 3.0-3.25, we will pay for 25%, 3.25-3.5, we will pay 50%, 3.5+, we'll completely pay it off.
That seems like a reasonable approach. My idea here, is to allow the kid freedom to be an adult. If he/she wants to party, etc., and can do so while maintaining a 3.5 or better, fine. I don't need to know all the other gory details. if that GPA drops below 3.5, that's when life starts to get harder. Below 3.0, learn how to ask, "do you want fries with that." The bottom line is I keep my expectations simple, but high.
 
Moved him in to his dorm yesterday. Wife was pretty emotional, I was a little sad, but excited for him. He couldn't get rid of us soon enough :angry:

 
I have advice.

READ THE ENTIRE EMAIL the school sends you!!!! IT HAS IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

Sorry I have to rant. We are scrambling for funds right now because "mr. know it all (my son)" and "mr.s don't worry we'll figure out" - didn't fill out required forms and or keep putting things off.

Now the bill showed up and as I anticipated they haven't finished any of the stuff they need to do. I have done as much as I can but since she has to work out the custody payments for college with the ex-husband and such we are so far screwed!!!!

:thumbup:

2) The computer you use all day every day, doing dumb ####, games, facespacing . Why don't you learn a little bit how it works so when I ask you question about wifi etc you have some notion of what I'm asking you

 
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Moved him in to his dorm yesterday. Wife was pretty emotional, I was a little sad, but excited for him. He couldn't get rid of us soon enough :angry:
My younger brother's a freshman this year, so I helped my parents move him in last week...I thought my mother was gonna lose it. You should be excited for him. College is awesome.
 

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