Advice for the young grasshopper starting university -- Adjusting to campus life (and a little blurb on textbooks)

Roommates
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One thing I like about university is how some days you don't have to get up early. This is of course depending on what one's schedule is like. Also depending on what type of degree you're heading off for you may have all your classes in one day to having one day free with no classes. You may have classes all morning but have some sort of 1.5 to 3 hour lecture at 7pm. Whatever your schedule is like one thing less to worry is being sent to detention for arriving late or skipping lectures and you don't need permission to leave the room while someone is talking. But still . . .

• Be respectful to both the instructor and the other students.

Even though you may be bored with the lecture and start talking to your buddy the lecturer has the right to kick you out of the room for being disruptive. Also if you do decide to leave early or come in late do it discreetly as some in the room may be bothered the constant opening and closing of the door. A course may count participation as part of the course so whether you ask a lot of questions in class or sit quietly in the corner showing up for class may count towards that.

Although attendance is not necessarily taken every day there are certain days which you CANNOT and MUST NOT miss UNLESS YOU ARE ILL OR HAVE A DEATH IN THE FAMILY:

• Labs
• Midterms, quizzes and tests
• Giving a presentation

A doctor's note or a death certificate will excuse you from these things. Not sure if any other university has this policy but missing/skipping out on labs could mean failing the lab portion of a course. Sometimes when a lab isn't scheduled it may become a help session for assignments. If these sessions don't count for grades it's up to you to attend them or not but at least here people from the help centre will cater specifically to your course whereas at the help centre they cater to all levels.

Speaking of help centres these places are useful when you're stuck on a problem or need help understanding something like why the derivative of x^5 is 5x^4 (it's been a while since I touched calculus and probably would not touch it with a 10 foot pole (Edit January 2012: A semantics course I took during the Winter 2011 semester involved something called lambda calculus. My 10 foot pole must've been too short. Mind you this is a 3rd year level linguistics course and not a beginner calculus course.)). Having trouble with <insert language here>? Unless your friend speaks that language and is willing to help go to a help centre! Some language courses have conversation classes which are free (and may be counting towards your grade just for attending them). Help centres may also have books that the library may not have. I don't think first year labs require too much research for the questions but if they do the help centre is one place to go. Help centres don't run 24/7 so instead of heading off for a 4-hour nap use those breaks between classes to try to visit the help centres.

Some courses require books. Some books you can get after the first class like a textbook but some books, like lab manuals, you need before the first class or lab session. Now some instructors on the first day jump right into the textbook so if you're the type who wants to keep up on things you can buy the book. Some teachers say that the book is optional so if you really feel the need to get the textbook then get it, otherwise save your money.

Textbook are expensive brand new. Unlike secondary school (I am assuming it's the same for all secondary school otherwise tell me) the books are provided for you as they are paid for by the school and the only time you have to pay for the text is if the book is lost or damaged. So if you are strapped for cash:

• Share of borrow from a friend or sibling
• Buy it used

With the first option if you have a relative that has taken the course or is taking the same course at the same you can share and probably won't cost you a thing. Your friend may or may not charge you but that too is an option but if your friend lives in another part of town or in a different dorm room you may end up getting any work done that involves the book. The library may also carry a copy of the book (even older editions) but there is the lending period to consider and the number of copies available so your best bet is to have your own copy.

If you're someone who is concerned about the environment getting a used book is one of those benefits. The drawback to getting a used book is either one of two things:

• The book came out with a new edition in which all older editions are deemed useless
• The department decided to change the textbook this year and are basing the course on said textbook

Sometimes instructors may allow you to use an older edition or the old book but double check with them first. When buying used you can either go to a used book store (whether it's the one on campus or around the city) or from other students. The difference is that buy from other students you're not paying any tax (unless the person you're buying from decides to but I haven't encountered anyone who does that) but usually cash only.

That's all I have to say now that you should be fully integrated into campus life. Anything missing just mention it.