Ahhhh, you're finally in Missoula and things are about to get real. School's starting and a new level of freedom is about to be achieved. As a returning student, I have a few things that might just make your new transition a bit easier.
1. University Center (UC)'s doors aren't normal
These doors are anything but normal, and they will embarrass you at least once. Do you push? Do you pull? What side is the opening on? Sometimes you just want to chop the thing down. Always (because even after a year its difficult) look where the handles are.
2. Wake up early if you want a football game ticket/ guest pass
Football season is a must for griz fans, and every Monday (before the weekend game) student tickets are up for grab. Students get in free and are able to purchase one guest pass for $10. Guest passes aren't easy to come by past noon, so be sure to wake up early if you want one! One guest pass can be purchased per student (on big games it might benefit you to buy one and sell it to a friend in need).
3. Taking Anthro 101? Take it with Kerr.
Want a class that will count towards multiple general education classes and won't put you to sleep? Take Anthropology 101 with Kerr. Easy class with an entertaining professor. Word around the oval is that the tests are a piece of cake too.
4. Girls... you won't regret living in Turner Hall
Most people heading into college want to be in a co-ed dorm hall. Craig, Miller, and Aber seem so attractive for that reason. Who wants to live in an all girls dorm? You should if you want a big room, lots of closet space, a sink, and NICE showers. Trust me, showers that are all connected at the bottom (every other dorm hall) are disgusting, you will run out of storage space, and living in a shoe box isn't fun.
(Ignore the mess from moving out, but here's an example)
5. Getting a meal plan?
Learn to spread it out. Don't use all your flex dollars so soon in the semester and be sure to not leave yourself with no money by Thursday. Spending real money on campus food stinks. Learn to manage it early on (meaning, don't get 4 Jus Chillin smoothies per day). Be sure to spend it all by Saturday night or you're basically wasting money. If you know you will want weekend snacks, don't wait till Friday to buy them at the Corner Store because everything will be picked through.
6. Don't need a car? Don't bring it.
Parking is a nightmare on campus. Spots are hard to find and they ticket, and even boot, cars that are even a little out of the line. Parking passes are expensive and so are the tickets you will possibly get. The Mountain Line and U-Dash busses will take you nearly anywhere you need to go. They run Monday- Saturday and pick up (around) every 15 minutes. PLUS you pay for the buss system with your tuition so you may as well use them!
