2008 Woodie Awards
The ten freshmen commandments according to Rachel
by Rachel Heiderscheidt
Issue date: 8/28/08
Section: Voices
Being gone all summer can take a toll on students in more ways than the obvious. As a "super senior" with four-plus years of experience on this campus, I can offer what wisdom, however menial, I have accrued during my time here.
IBetween tuition, books and the general mayhem and cost of fall, it is easy to forget about purchasing a parking pass. After years of scheming to avoid buying a pass at all costs, the only person it has cost is myself. Sure there have been the occasional victories, but Campus Security has won the war. My "contributions" from parking tickets alone have probably funded a few overstuffed chairs or, at the very least, a coffee maker. So just take it from me and buy a pass, because even if you're the only car parked in Gold at 2 a.m., you will get a ticket - and that's no joke.
IIThere is no shortage of computer labs on this campus. Whether you prefer PCs or Macs, need a printer or copy machine, the Academic Computer Center, or ACC in the lower level of Wissink Hall is the place to go. Why? Because it's quiet! Also, there is a help desk close if you need it. The other computer labs are also good, except one: the lab in the west wing of the CSU next to the SLD&SL. It's loud, doesn't have Macs and sometimes the printer doesn't work. Enough said.
Also, hundreds of students per week mixed with rarely sanitized keyboards means it may be wise to bring some Wet Ones along.
IIIEither way, textbooks are a massive rip-off. You might spend $100 on a textbook only to get $25 - if even - back when you return it, regardless of whether that same store is going to take said book and resell it for $100 next semester. In my experience, the way to go is through Amazon.com. The only drawback is figuring out ahead of time what books you need for each class. This process is not nearly as user-friendly as it could be. Also, for some the money saved may not be worth the uncertainty of whether you will get your books on time, or at all. In my experience, Amazon.com is user-friendly and dependable and will refund you if you do not receive your merchandise.
If you do choose to go the bookstore route, you will loose money either way if you choose to sell back your books at the end of the semester, so why not keep them? My bookshelf is filled with textbooks pertaining to my major because I'd rather have them for future reference than have the $5.
One last tip: some teachers will tell their students they need a textbook when, in all actuality, the book is never used. I usually wait until the first day of class when the teachers go over the syllabus to decide if I will need the book or not. If they mention quizzes or papers related to the reading material, I buy it. If their focus is on lecture, I don't.
IVLast fall when an ultra-conservative, anti-abortion, anti-homosexuality and anti-Islam group came to campus touting graphic (and outdated) enlarged abortion photos, students asked, "How can they do this?" The answer is simple: this is a public university. Unlike a private university or residence, anyone can walk onto campus and exclaim any message they choose, no matter how ridiculous or offensive the majority may see it as. Furthermore, the Supreme Court has ruled through common law that to suppress such speech by booing or heckling is an abridgement of first amendment rights. By reacting, these groups get exactly what they want. If students simply ignore them, difficult though this may be, they leave.
VAlthough you may be afraid of losing a friendship should you choose to be roommates with your best friend, rooming with a stranger can be just as bad. Meet someone freshman or sophomore year you haven't known your whole life, but get along with well and live with them. If you are paired with a stranger freshman year and there are warning signs that they may be the devil incarnate, don't feel obliged to live with them sophomore year, because it only gets worse.
VIDon't wait until you pick up your books at the bookstore to buy folders or pens. They will charge you $1.39 for a shiny MSU folder (they don't have just plain ones, school spirit is mandatory) when you could get a regular folder from your grocery store for 36 cents. Other supplies are also more expensive.
VIIArt classes are expensive. Before spending at least $50 for mandatory supplies, ask around if anyone has some left from a previous class they took.
VIIIIn a college town, it's difficult to find a job that pays well and doesn't treat you as if you can be replaced at any given moment, mainly because you can. As someone who's worked the typical retail and office jobs before, I can honestly say that it pays well to save yourself the trouble and get a job right away as a waitress or bartender. There is money to be made in this town, especially off fellow students (and even the occasional professor.)
IXThe sink in the bathroom in Nelson Hall next to the Automotive Engineering garage sprays water everywhere if you put it on full blast. Unless you want to look like you've gotten in a fight with the Loch Ness monster, keep it on low.
XAnd perhaps my most valuable advice yet: get involved on campus. You will learn more than you ever thought possible, and have a much richer, rewarding college experience. It also looks great on a resume.
Rachel Heiderscheidt is a Reporter staff writer
IBetween tuition, books and the general mayhem and cost of fall, it is easy to forget about purchasing a parking pass. After years of scheming to avoid buying a pass at all costs, the only person it has cost is myself. Sure there have been the occasional victories, but Campus Security has won the war. My "contributions" from parking tickets alone have probably funded a few overstuffed chairs or, at the very least, a coffee maker. So just take it from me and buy a pass, because even if you're the only car parked in Gold at 2 a.m., you will get a ticket - and that's no joke.
IIThere is no shortage of computer labs on this campus. Whether you prefer PCs or Macs, need a printer or copy machine, the Academic Computer Center, or ACC in the lower level of Wissink Hall is the place to go. Why? Because it's quiet! Also, there is a help desk close if you need it. The other computer labs are also good, except one: the lab in the west wing of the CSU next to the SLD&SL. It's loud, doesn't have Macs and sometimes the printer doesn't work. Enough said.
Also, hundreds of students per week mixed with rarely sanitized keyboards means it may be wise to bring some Wet Ones along.
IIIEither way, textbooks are a massive rip-off. You might spend $100 on a textbook only to get $25 - if even - back when you return it, regardless of whether that same store is going to take said book and resell it for $100 next semester. In my experience, the way to go is through Amazon.com. The only drawback is figuring out ahead of time what books you need for each class. This process is not nearly as user-friendly as it could be. Also, for some the money saved may not be worth the uncertainty of whether you will get your books on time, or at all. In my experience, Amazon.com is user-friendly and dependable and will refund you if you do not receive your merchandise.
If you do choose to go the bookstore route, you will loose money either way if you choose to sell back your books at the end of the semester, so why not keep them? My bookshelf is filled with textbooks pertaining to my major because I'd rather have them for future reference than have the $5.
One last tip: some teachers will tell their students they need a textbook when, in all actuality, the book is never used. I usually wait until the first day of class when the teachers go over the syllabus to decide if I will need the book or not. If they mention quizzes or papers related to the reading material, I buy it. If their focus is on lecture, I don't.
IVLast fall when an ultra-conservative, anti-abortion, anti-homosexuality and anti-Islam group came to campus touting graphic (and outdated) enlarged abortion photos, students asked, "How can they do this?" The answer is simple: this is a public university. Unlike a private university or residence, anyone can walk onto campus and exclaim any message they choose, no matter how ridiculous or offensive the majority may see it as. Furthermore, the Supreme Court has ruled through common law that to suppress such speech by booing or heckling is an abridgement of first amendment rights. By reacting, these groups get exactly what they want. If students simply ignore them, difficult though this may be, they leave.
VAlthough you may be afraid of losing a friendship should you choose to be roommates with your best friend, rooming with a stranger can be just as bad. Meet someone freshman or sophomore year you haven't known your whole life, but get along with well and live with them. If you are paired with a stranger freshman year and there are warning signs that they may be the devil incarnate, don't feel obliged to live with them sophomore year, because it only gets worse.
VIDon't wait until you pick up your books at the bookstore to buy folders or pens. They will charge you $1.39 for a shiny MSU folder (they don't have just plain ones, school spirit is mandatory) when you could get a regular folder from your grocery store for 36 cents. Other supplies are also more expensive.
VIIArt classes are expensive. Before spending at least $50 for mandatory supplies, ask around if anyone has some left from a previous class they took.
VIIIIn a college town, it's difficult to find a job that pays well and doesn't treat you as if you can be replaced at any given moment, mainly because you can. As someone who's worked the typical retail and office jobs before, I can honestly say that it pays well to save yourself the trouble and get a job right away as a waitress or bartender. There is money to be made in this town, especially off fellow students (and even the occasional professor.)
IXThe sink in the bathroom in Nelson Hall next to the Automotive Engineering garage sprays water everywhere if you put it on full blast. Unless you want to look like you've gotten in a fight with the Loch Ness monster, keep it on low.
XAnd perhaps my most valuable advice yet: get involved on campus. You will learn more than you ever thought possible, and have a much richer, rewarding college experience. It also looks great on a resume.
Rachel Heiderscheidt is a Reporter staff writer
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
C. Frederick
posted 8/28/08 @ 11:00 AM CST
Great advise Rachel, you really hit home with number ten though!
Evan Trosvik
posted 9/01/08 @ 3:34 AM CST
Number XI should be to vote for Obama!!!!!!!!!!
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