STAY SOCIAL Make the best of your college years by taking the opportunity to meet, learn and interact with new people. Here are three tips to not only get involved but to develop a sense of belonging and pride for your campus: Take advantage of group projects — These are required in many courses. While fretting over a big assignment, you might as well make friends. Join a student organization (or two) — Each semester, the university hosts several student organizations fair. Get in on the action and find an organization that aligns with your interests. Besides, they give away lots of freebies. Get Involved — This is a web-based tool that connects you with registered UH student organizations. Simply log on to AccessUH, click the Get Involved icon and access a directory containing 500+ student organizations.
MAXIMIZE YOUR TIME Time is precious, and moreso for a commuter student. You may be juggling multiple responsibilities, but it doesn’t have to be a daunting routine. Grab your planners, to-do lists, sticky notes or whatever method works best for you; planning is key! Class Schedule — Plan your schedule around your desires and tendencies. If you don’t like waking up early, register for later classes. Remember, mid-morning and afternoon classes are usually the first to fill up. If you have to sign up for an 8:30 a.m. class, take it all in stride and start planning. Break Time — If you have long breaks in between classes, use this extra time to study, see an adviser, eat lunch or work out. Spend time doing tasks that you can scratch off of your to-do list. Save on gas and make the most of your time on campus while you’re there. Work — Managing work and school might seem impossible at times. However, the good news is that many students do this every day. On-campus jobs are generally more flexible around your schedule. Offcampus jobs may offer more work hours. Either way, plan ahead and talk with your supervisor.
THE COMMUTE Commuting is one of the biggest challenges for commuter students. School zones, gas prices and rush-hour traffic are not your friends; however, your rides don’t have to be bad experiences. You don’t have to “rush” during rush hour. Just plan ahead. Map — Map out alternate routes. It’s best to know other ways to get to campus, especially for days when weather and road closures make getting to class on time nearly impossible. Drivers — Explore campus parking. Drive to campus before the start of the semester to become familiar with parking lots, garages and regulations. Use the UH Parking Lot Tracker to gauge times when parking spaces are most available. Metro Riders — Go on a test ride before classes start. Be sure to note Metro arrival and leave times. Plan your schedule accordingly and include time for possible delays. Note — Take note of your professors’ attendance policies. If possible, dig up any syllabi or word-ofmouth from other students about courses so you can set your morning classes as ones without harsh tardy or absence penalties.
23
2014 Look, Learn, Lease!