IU staff gives back-to-school tips

The chaos of Welcome Week has come to an end. Time to put those ping-pong balls and playing cards away and grab your backpacks and pens instead.
Making the transition from summer to school is hard enough, so here are some tips and reminders to make the first week of class go as smoothly as possible.

Transportation

Walking

Walking is one of the best ways to get to and from class, especially if you live in the residence halls. Not only do you not have to worry about parking tickets and late buses, but you can burn off those extra calories you gained while celebrating your arrival at IU.

Driving

Avoid driving on campus if possible, but if it’s the only option, students should make sure they have the correct parking pass.

“I think the biggest misconception students have is that you do not need a permit anywhere on campus after 5 p.m., which is not the case,” said Amanda Turnipseed, the assistant manager for IU Office of Parking Operations. “We do still require that students have an E or F permit for after 5 p.m.”

Biking

This is a happy medium between walking and driving, and it works especially well for students who live farther from campus.

However, students on bikes should make sure to wear helmets, avoid hitting innocent pedestrians and park in the correct places.

“We recommend that they park their bike in a bike rack instead of chaining it to the nearest tree,” said Doug Porter, the manager of IU Office of Parking Operations.

Students who don’t have a bike but would like to purchase one can do so during the twice-a-year bike auction at IU Parking Operations at 9 a.m. Sept. 19 on the lower level of the Jordan Avenue Parking Garage.

Riding the bus

Students who ride the bus should make sure they know where the bus goes, the times it runs and where it stops. It’s all too easy to jump on the wrong bus and ride to Foster Quad instead of Forest Quad. And watch out – sometimes the buses get stuck in traffic or stop at the library for extended periods of time so the driver can relieve his or her bladder or smoke.

Health

Hugh Jessop, executive director of the IU Health Center, shared a few tips for students to stay healthy and keep up in class.

Don’t stay out all night

Though it sounds obvious, students who have been out all night are more susceptible to getting sick and are also starting off on the wrong foot.

“It’s very difficult to recover when you’ve got yourself in a deep hole,” Jessop said.

Use your syllabi
Students should plan to be 3 or 5 days ahead in their classes in case they get sick or fall behind, Jessop said. Students will also be more prepared for lectures.

Avoid snacking
With pizza places open until 4 a.m. and cookie and ice cream shops that deliver, it is tempting to treat yourself to those snacks more frequently than you should.

“As long as you’ve got money, you’re rolling in calories,” Jessop said. Snacking is one of the quickest ways to ensure you’re on your path to that freshman 15.

Exercise
With resources such as the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, the Student Recreation Sports Center and extensive sidewalks and trails, students have plenty of options when it comes to staying fit, even with class schedules.

“No, you’re not too busy,” Jessop said. “You just have to be better at time management.”

Take advantage of the group workout classes and trainers available on campus.

Maintain sleep patterns

Perhaps the most important thing is for students to make sure they are sleeping enough, especially when it gets later into the semester.

“In the two-week window before and after midterms, we see a huge increase in patients because students are staying up all night studying,” Jessop said.

Food

Residential Programs and Services

You’ve got those meal points; now use them – or make friends with an underclassman who has them. With 20 places on campus, including food courts and cafes, students shouldn’t have a problem finding somewhere to eat between classes.

Pack a lunch

For students who live off campus or who don’t have enough time between classes, packing a lunch is a cheap, time-efficient option. Plus, you’ve got a snack with you in case you get the munchies in class.

Kirkwood

If students have extra downtime or want to get away a little bit and meet a friend, the Kirkwood Avenue area is a good option. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from with varying price ranges.

Study

Don’t procrastinate

You might think you can learn everything you need to know in a couple of late-night cramming sessions, but it’s not the best idea. Keep up with your assignments.

Go to office hours

Believe it or not, professors and AIs hold office hours for a reason. Plus, it’s always good for professors to put a face with a name. And when you’re in a lecture hall with a couple hundred other students, there is nothing better than some one-on-one instruction.

Change location

It can be hard to study with noisy neighbors and people running through the halls. Try a change of location and check out the Indiana Memorial Union, open until 2 a.m., or the Herman B Wells Library, which has study areas open 24 hours a day.

Attend class

Attending class is one of the easiest ways to ensure that you are prepared and understand the material. Be there on time to ensure that you don’t interrupt the professor during a lecture or get locked out of the room.

In Class

Don’t text

Texting is an easy way to get on a professor’s bad side. If students are going to drag themselves to class, they should at least pay attention.

Take notes

Chances are students won’t remember everything the professor says. Taking good notes gives you a reference to look at later and also keeps you engaged during the lecture.

Make friends

Talk to neighbors. Not only will you make new friends, but you’ll probably find a good study buddy as well. Talk to people in your classes – you might have to miss class and can get notes from a friend.

Pick a good seat

Whether you prefer the front or the back, choose somewhere you’ll be comfortable the whole semester.

Humans are creatures of habit, and after the first week, students are stuck in the seat they chose on the first day.

Ask questions

It is important to ask questions when you have them. What’s the point of sitting in a lecture for an hour and a half only to leave confused?

Also, the professor will appreciate the fact that students are paying attention and participating.