10 Laurier survival tips

Coming into Laurier can be an
overwhelming experience.
The jump from high school
to university involves learning
many small lessons, from how to
manage your own money to how to do
a proper tequila shot. With all the hard
work coming your way, The Cord has
taken it upon itself to teach incoming
students 10 lessons that you won’t
have to learn the hard way.

1. Know the best campus hangouts.

This is crucial for the times when you
feel like escaping from your spacious
dorm room and socializing, or heaven
forbid, studying. You will need to
know where to see and be seen.

The concourse: The place to be for casual
hang out time, group projects or just
watching the whole school walk by.

The 24-hour lounge: Dungeons and
Dragons anyone?

The library: Not to be used for casual
conversation, except maybe the 3rd
to5th floors.

The atrium: Elite business student
hangout.

The dining hall: Jock and first-year
central.

The common room of your residence: It is
possible to never leave.

2. The Laurier fashion protocol.

It is really not okay to join the ranks of
those wearing torn jean skirts and
UGG boots mid-September through
winter finals. It is, apparently, socially
acceptable to wear your sweats
to class and back (and everywhere in
between), but be aware that there will
always be that one classmate with
straightened hair and fresh makeup at
8:00 a.m. One thing I can guarantee,
anything from Aritzia will be spotted
once, twice, three times.

3. Learn the go-to hangover breakfast location.

Depending on the location
of your residence, you have Benny’s
– amazingly inexpensive and on your
OneCard, or Mel’s Diner, which happens
to be open later than the bars.
The social aspect of the morning-after
breakfast is key; this is where true
friendships are made.

4. Master the fake I.D.

Now, I’m not
condoning underage activity, but if
you are part of the lucky few who have
one, know where to use it. This does
not include campus facilities, as OneCards
are mandatory supplementary
material. However, there are some
bars around town that are easier to get
into than others.

5. Go OneCard crazy.

Yes, this is real
money, but due to new regulations if
you are left with more than $500 at
the end of a school year the university
keeps it. So spend up! Granted, this
is terrible financial advice, but you
aren’t given much choice. If you happen
to have a convenience account,
the best off-campus OneCard vendors
include Waterloo Taxi, Pizza Pizza,
Noodle Hut, Swiss Chalet delivery
and University Pharmacy (use your
imagination).

6. Work smart, not hard.

Take the
time to ask your professor what they
expect in an assignment. Chances are
they have used this assignment before
and have a good idea of what they
do, and do not want. Asking ahead of
time can save you plenty of time and
effort. You should also take advantage
of additional resources such as teaching
assistants (TA), the Writing Centre
and upper-year students.

7. K.Y.S.F. (Know Your Short Forms)

At Laurier, if you don’t already know
where the DAWB, the AC, the DH, the
FNCC and (for you music students)
the MOFO are – you’re lost. If you
don’t know what ERT, BACCHUS, and
the SLC are – you need to attend the
get involved fair. If you have no idea
what I’m saying at all, you’re new.
Take some initiative and go find out
what these things are. They’re a valuable
part of the Laurier lingo.

8. Abuse your student status.

Your
tuition bill comes in every year at the
end of the summer and ta-dah, you’re
broke. So make the most of student
bargains. Your OneCard acts as a bus
pass, which equals free transportation.
Restaurants around town are
also there to help out with student
specials such as Symposium’s “starving
student night” every Monday.

9. Talk about class way too much.

Pff
– that’s lame, right? Nobody wants
to hear about how much you love
18th century English literature during
a party. Well, maybe, but talking
about what you’re studying isn’t just
the best way to hammer it into your
brain. You’ll also meet people studying
the same stuff, and maybe even
start enjoying your education a whole
lot more. You’re in school to learn, so
go ahead and enjoy it.

10. Screw up your sleep schedule.

Students operate on a completely different
sleep schedule than the rest of
society. Even when you have class at
8:30 a.m. it’s not unusual to be expected
to stay up until 2 or 3 a.m. Train
your body early on to operate on very
little sleep and to be able to stay up for
long intervals without shuteye, lest
you miss out on some of the best social
and study times.