I am a senior this year. I just thought I would recap my parking situation during the years. First off, I did NOT come to school with a car. My freshman and sophomore year I happily lived on campus without a car. Parents, honestly, everything students need is available on campus and we are centrally located within ten minutes of all types of attractions. We are within ten minutes of the quarry, the mall, downtown, and a slew of dining options. Students, I know that is not what you want me to be saying. I know having a car can be fun, but, honestly, I didn't miss out on anything. I first had a car on campus last spring during my junior year. It opened up opportunities for me to drive, but I really only used it at night if I needed to run to the store to get anything. Of course, if you are living on campus, you don't use your car to get back and forth between classes. That is one amazing thing about going to a small university. My best friend goes to a huge state school on the east coast, and she has to ride a bus for 45 minutes to get to three of her classes. Call me crazy, but that doesn't sound like much fun to me. Anyway, directing back to the car, this is my first year being a commuter student. I am not saying that it can't be or shouldn't be done, but I just thought I would give a little bit of forewarning. As a rule now, I have to leave at least thirty minutes before each class. Thankfully, living on campus gave me a keen insight on how long it takes me to walk from one side of the campus to the other. However, in the morning, I have to take into account that finding a parking spot is going to take me at least ten minutes. It's crazy to see the amount of people arriving before 9am classes start. I have been cutting it close to my first class, so I am trying to learn to leave earlier. It's just a hard concept, because I am new to the whole commuting business. When I lived on campus, I knew exactly when I needed to walk out of my dorm to get to class. I wouldn't have to worry about traffic. Now I have to think about the fact that tons of other students are arriving at school at the same time as me. I think my best bet is just going to be to arrive 45 minutes early, not have to worry about traffic, and I will have free time before my classes start to get situated for the day. Since I don't have a printer at home, that provides the perfect opportunity to go to the library before classes start. Living off campus has been a great experience so far, however, parking has been a huge adjustment. As long as you plan ahead, though, being a commuter student is just as rewarding as living on campus!!
I had the most incredible weekend ever!! Like I said before, I missed out on UIWs first football season, because I was abroad last fall. With the RED C starting up on campus, I was stoked to be attending my first football game on Saturday. I was working the FYE tailgate for an hour before the game started, and I was very surprised at how amazing the tailgate section was. Of course Greek life was out there, but there were a ton of other organizations out there with tents set up throughout the parking lot. A lot of people use the tailgates as fundraisers, so I expected everything to cost money. HOWEVER, there was tons of free stuff! Raul from first year engagement was BBQing at my tent, and another tent close by had food as well. Some tents had free hair spraying and face painting. Others just had knick knacks to pass out before the game to get the crowds rowdy. THE RED C went in awhile before the game started, and we designated our own student section. We had signs and we all stood and yelled back and forth with the cheerleaders. The school is being so supportive of our group, so they gave us special treatment. We got to go down onto the field and make the tunnel for the football game started and after halftime when they run back onto the field. Some people in the group stepped up and led group cheers, and everyone seemed to have a great time. We are so excited that UIW has an official band for the games, because we got to dance to everything that they played for us. For the next game we are going to have our own song that we officially play during the fourth quarter of every football game. We are having a meeting this Friday to go over all other ideas to incorporate for the next game. THE RED C IS HERE!! GO CARDINAL PRIDE!!
My roommate and I just got back from HEB. We had to take an emergency trip to the grocery story. Why, you ask? Katie and I both have tendencies to the spontaneous nature. Tonight after the Fire, we decided that it would be an amazing idea to lay down on Dubuis Lawn and stare at the stars. It was a blast! We laughed and had a great talk-really good roommate bonding time. Then about twenty or so minutes later, we realized that we were both burning. Our bodies were on fire. We had been bitten all up and down our legs and arms. We weren't directly on top of an ant pile, but the ants sure found us!! We raced to the car as Katie called her mom and asked for cures to our pain. That is what led us to HEB. We went and got baking soda and anti-itch cream. Apparently if you put baking soda in your bath, it will help the itching subside. Now I am on the futon covered in cream while Katie takes a bath, and then we will switch. I just thought it was a very funny end to the night! The Fire was amazing! We met a whole bunch of freshmen, and there was a really great crowd out!! Plus, someone made some delicious chocolate chip cookies! First day of school down for everyone else, but tomorrow is the official first day of classes for Katie and I. We are going to wake up early and pack our lunches and get everything ready! I am so excited!! YAY SENIOR YEAR!!
I don't even have classes tomorrow. This is what I don't understand. I have specially crafted my schedule to only have Tuesday and Thursday classes. However, even though I don't have classes tomorrow, I still feel like I have the night before school starts jitters! It's senior year, and I still get butterflies in my stomach the night before school starts. My roommate was giving me a hard time today for being excited for school to start. Yes, it's our last weekend without homework or stresses, but I am really excited for my classes this year. I only have one more class to finish off my Sociology degree, so I am going to take a bunch of Religious Studies classes and see how I like that. I am still undecided about post grad, but I am happy at all the opportunities that I will have after graduation. Honestly, though, I think my roommate and I are just looking for ways to get back out of the country. We are looking at volunteer programs and how to get our certification to teach english. There are so many opportunities to work abroad, and we want to learn about all of them! I just finished filling out the waiver for insurance, and now I am going to sign up for my parking decal!! Happy Fall 2010!! I hope everyone has an amazing semester!!!
