How to survive Parkland

Ack! I just drove around for hours looking for a parking spot, I got lost looking for all of the different wings of the school, I don't know where I can find my lunch, I don't know what professors are good, and I have no idea what is going on! Parkland is a different kind of a college. It is full of nooks and side hallways, and each one seems to harbor something new and interesting. If you take a walk around the campus, you're likely to run across beautiful landscaping, the planetarium, all sorts of athletics facilities, a "hidden" radio station, the student newspaper, a television studio, a student test kitchen, a mechanic's full-sized garage, and the list goes on and on. It's overwhelming, quite frankly.

But here's a list to help you, the new (or seasoned) student, to get a head start of making the most out of your college experience. If anything, find out just a few tips to keep you out of trouble:

-Know your food options

Isolated from the culinary delights that are mostly located downtown and around the University campus, Parkland students are usually forced to find grubbage on the Parkland campus. There are essentially two areas (besides the vending machines): Gulliver's cafeteria, and a dual-restaurant stand that serves subs and pizza. Here are a couple of pointers when ordering from Gulliver's: 1. You need to beware of purchasing food separately. For example, if you buy a salad, French fries, and a drink, you're going to end up paying somewhere over seven dollars! Look for their meal packages to find something affordable. There are also some options to create your own salad or sandwich, and their "hot bar" changes daily. Also keep in mind that the double restaurant closes in the afternoon, so you won't find anything to eat other than the cafeteria-if that happens, and you want just a quick snack, duck into the bookstore right across the hall for a selection on par with a small gas station.

-Take a course taught by Batsie, or some other award-winning faculty

Although he may not be popular among other staff members because of his outside-the-box approach to teaching, Batsie is adored by most students. He teaches psychology and sociology classes with random outbursts and off-subject tangents, and keeps students on their toes. He offers many creative assignments, easy tests, field trips to prisons and a wide variety of knowledge in his field. Students learn but have tons of fun doing it. The key to having a great college experience is to find the faculty that will challenge you, and they are all over the place-just ask some older students about their favorite professors, and look into the courses.

-Get in line for book buybacks early!

This one is simple. Most people spend 30 minutes in the longest line in America and get to the front and their book is either ineligible for buyback or, it will be worth three bucks.

-Parking Wars

Parking lots fill up quick, so don't count on getting a close spot for that 10 a.m. class unless you come prepared to drive in circles and stalk every person that walks down the aisles. Tie up those hiking boots because it's highly likely that you'll be in the last parking spot before on the border of Mahomet. Take note of which lot you parked in, and which wing you walk into-Parkland is kind of like a maze to new students. And if you're late to class, don't tear across the parking lot looking for the phantom space, because every year there are several accidents, and students are walking out from in between SUVs, and you won't be able to see them coming. Slow down. It's okay to be late, instead of late with a totaled vehicle and a broken collarbone.

-Utilize Public Safety

The cops on campus are nice, and very helpful. Make sure you get to know a couple of them. In addition to providing security for the campus, they also assist students with questions. Did you lock yourself out of your car? Did you leave your lights on, and killed your car battery? Are you parked in a dark spot at the end of campus at night, and need an escort? Did you leave your backpack in a locked classroom? Talk to the campus cops, and you'll find they are great assests.

-Walk through the school during your first week of classes

Parkland is one big building of confusion to new students. With tons of hallways and secret passages, one would think its Hogwarts Academy! Most first time students end up late to the first day because from point a to point b usually ends up being from point A to C to G to Z to B. Don't be afraid to ask someone where to go. Keep a spare map of the campus zipped up in the pocket of that brand new book bag.

-Get involved

Many people think that just because Parkland is a community college that they shouldn't get involved or that there aren't many activities to get involved in. Wrong! There are tons of clubs to join and tons of ways to get involved. From blood drives to culture clubs, Parkland offers students chances to get involved in school and in the community. Here's a hint: social clubs look good on your applications to four-year schools and the workplace.

-Get into the local media hotspots on campus

Don't be timid, go take a walk around, and visit the following media offices: Prospectus News, the weekly student newspaper that appears in print and online; 88.7 the Wave radio station, headed by Eleni Kametas; and PCTV, the local television channel that tapes shows in a studio between the X- and D-wings.

-Do not get on Facebook or Myspace in the library

When they say it, they mean it. The librarians are not playing! They make rounds and make sure everyone is doing their homework or something important rather than surfing social sites. That is what the computer labs are for. If there are students waiting and you are just checking your friend requests and status updates be kind and get up. I guess it goes without saying that you shouldn't look up anything your mother would disapprove of, if you know what I mean.