Welcome Back!
InfoLink - Fri Aug 31, 2012We can feel the chill in the air now that the September long weekend is just around the corner. Over the next few days students will be finishing up their travels and their summer time work, and they’ll be enjoying the last weekend before classes. Some may dread the return to campus and will drag themselves here on September 5th, but those of us at InfoLink happen to be looking forward to the hustle and bustle of the Fall semester.
Some love how beautiful our campus gets in the Fall as pretty shades of orange and yellow will soon adorn the trees. Some of us get to begin our countdown to graduation. Others are looking forward to the return of friends and activities that may have disappeared over the summer. And some of us just can’t wait to get back into our classroom lectures. In addition to our own class schedules, we’re also looking forward to sharing a few ways to make the most out of your September. So, what can you look forward to?
WOW!
The SU’s annual Week of Welcome (which will be Dr. Seuss themed this year,) is for any and every kind of student on campus. This year’s WOW will feature a clubs fair in quad, beer gardens, and tons of free handouts around campus. There will also be concerts and events to take in during the evenings. So as you explore campus to find your exams, take some time to wander around and see what the U of A is all about!
Books!
When buying books the long lines and busy store atmosphere can be incredibly overwhelming even for the seasoned student. There isn’t really much you can do about the lines come September, but there are a few ways to reduce the time you’ll spend in them. The best tip is to actually wait until classes begin, see what books are on your syllabus, and then head over to The Bookstore during a quieter time of day. Visiting when they first open or during a popular class timeframe (ie: between 1:15pm, not right on the hour) will cut down your time in the line significantly as well. Also, if you need to purchase something from Special Services in The Bookstore (like a DVD, MathXL, or any other programming required for your course) make sure to gather all of your other books first; once you go to the Special Services Desk, they’ll bring you straight to the till to pay for everything! As an alternative to The Bookstore, you can check for discounted books on our online Used Book Registry (where books are sometimes given away for free), or you can stop by SUBtitles, where the line ups might not be as long of a wait.
Trying to find a place to study or eat?
Campus gets incredibly busy in September so finding your favorite table in Cameron may not happen on a daily basis. Also, if you’re looking for a lunch table at 12:01pm, forget about it! The key idea here is planning as well as trial and error. The most populated study spots on campus will be in SUB, CAB, and the Rutherford Library. So, why not try out one of the newer buildings on campus like CCIS or ECHA? If you’re looking to eat lunch and your class finishes at 11:50am, you may be out of luck. People will find any nook and cranny to sit, chat, and eat. So instead of wasting your whole lunch break wandering around looking for somewhere to sit don’t be afraid to swoop in and grab any table, bench or chair you can find then keep on the lookout for a bigger desk or table if you need. If someone looks like they are studying alone at a big table ask if you can sit there too.
Back to school is an exciting time of year! We can’t wait to get back into the swing of things and see the changes September brings to campus. We look forward to welcoming you back on September 5th!
