Collegiate Times

Don't look both ways before crossing the Drillfield. 

The U-Mall Shuttle doesn't run on weekends. If you are coming back from the Math Empo/University Mall, take the Toms Creek bus back. 

Find out the average grades of past classes at collegiatetimes.com/databases. 

Avoid daily trips to Deitrick Express (DX) and Au Bon Pain, as you will run out of money quickly. 

When you walk past the flag pole on the upper quad, stay off your cell phone as a sign of respect to members of the Corps of Cadets. 

Fill out a Pathways Planner on HokieSpa.vt.edu. It will make planning the rest of your tenure much easier. 

Visit professors' office hours, because they are sometimes the most interesting people you will meet. 

Always check the syllabus before buying your books. For some, you can find the material online for free. 

Always address people that work as Tech as "Dr." Some will get offended if you use "Mr." or "Ms."

Attend GobblerFest the first week of school to find the activity that's right for you. 

Students of any year and major are welcome to work at the Collegiate Times. 

During exam week, avoid the library if you have a group project. It's much easier to meet in Squires, Torgerson Hall or Pamplin. 

Avoid the "what's a few more hundred dollars worth of debt" mentality. 

War Memorial Hall Gym is usually less crowded that the gym at McComas Hall. 

Find out your professor's salary at collegiatetimes.com. 

Run a "what-if" GPA calculator on hokiespa.vt.edu.

Always, always, always carry an umbrella. Always.

It is illegal to record your lectures without consent from your classmates. 

Wear flipflops in the shower. 

If you wait until Thanksgiving to bring your winter clothes, it will be too late--you will freeze. 

Find supplementary lectures at khanacademy.org.

Don't forget to call home. 

Take as many electives as possible so you can talk to anyone about anything. 

Branch out: find friends outside your hall. 

The song is "Enter Sandman," not "Enter the Sandman."

Get access to free Rosetta Stone software at the Newman Library language lab. 

Go to West End before 5:00 p.m., or plan on waiting at least 20 minutes for your food. 

If your computer crashes, use a public computer at Newman Library, Torgerson Bridge, the Math Emporium or InnovationSpace. 

If your Hokie Passport is stolen, a replacement is (usually) free. 

Always lock your bike. 

Don't rush into an apartment lease. There will still be plenty of rooms available at the end of the year (despite what the complex tells you).

A version of this article appeared in the Jun 8 issue of the Collegiate Times.