Post-Emily: Just Ask

Hello to all the fresh new faces, I would like to personally welcome you to our lovely campus. You bring with you a breath of fresh air along with your clueless personas. Some of you are freshmen and others are transfer students coming from the various colleges and community colleges across the Puget Sound and the nation. I applaud you for choosing to attend this fine institution that I am so very proud to be a part of.

OK, enough with the optimism, let's cut to the chase. I would like to give a few words of gracious and generous advice to all you newbies before you become tainted by the lack of school spirit.

First, don't be afraid to ask questions in class, or anywhere else for that matter. No one is going to make fun of you and I guarantee you most of the class is probably wanting to know the same thing. We are not a small, private institution where fresh faces are targeted with harassment. Due to the constant flow of students in and out of our little commuter campus, no one will even notice you are new. Think of it as a good thing.

Second, join clubs and hang out on campus; that's what all the cool kids do. If not for your own enjoyment, do it for the sake of your school. Help the college that will open the doors to your future. Volunteer, attend events, join student organizations, heck, run for student body president when the time comes. All of these activities bring you that much closer to your peers and look pretty awesome on your resume. If you're an older, not so traditional student, don't be shy. We love everyone here.

Third, get here early, parking is always a great experience. If you intend on impressing your professor with your spectacular attendance while keeping your sanity intact, give yourself at least 20 minutes to find a spot and get to class. If you are lucky, you'll have a few minutes left to get a latte at Coco Bob's (hint: boycott Starbucks).

Lastly, explore Tacoma. If you are a commuter driving every day from Bonney Lake, don't hesitate to get on the Link during your lunch break and get to know the little city that is home to your university. It's not cute when people talk mess about Tacoma, it makes me want to put my grill on and get a little aggressive, but worse than cutting the big T down is not getting to know it. Behind the grit, there are a plethora of fun restaurants, bars and vintage stores. Open your heart to Tacoma and Tacoma will open it's heart to you.

Farewell for now my fun new friends, I hope you enjoy your first quarter at UWT and remember, have a great time parking!