preparation.
I've never been a commuter student; for my entire college career (even when I was at umass), I lived on or near campus. I could just walk to my classes, and then walk home again, without having to worry about driving and parking. in fact, even after I bought a car, I didn't have it at school; I left it at my parents' house, except on weekends when I needed it to go grocery shopping or to visit friends.
tomorrow's my first day back to school (certificate program), so what did I do to prepare for my classes? I did reconnaissance on the parking garage.
yes, that's right.
while other students familiarized themselves with the uw campus, walking their schedule and figuring out which buildings they'll need for their classes tomorrow, I wandered around the central parking garage.
I know where my building is, and I'm relatively confident that I can find the classroom. however, since I tend not to drive to the university (because I usually avoid paying for parking), I figured that it would be better to navigate the unfamiliar while it was light out, and when I'm not rushing to get to my class. so, I walked into the garage from the one entrance that I know about (the car entrance), and walked counter-clockwise through the garage noting all the pedestrian exits. I went up the staircases for the three entrance/exits that I think that I'll use, just to see where they were above ground, so as to be able to use them when I return to the parking garage after class (and well after dark).
I'm sure I looked completely insane, walking up the staircases, looking around, and then heading back down into the bowels of the garage. then, doing the same thing from the next staircase. although to my credit, the entrances to the garage from above are not visible from each other (they're at different corners of red square, obscured by buildings), so I don't think that anyone saw me emerging from the garage multiple times. at least I hope not. but if they did, I probably resembled a human mole, navigating a series of tunnels, popping up to the surface to observe my surroundings and then returning to the underworld of cement and compact parking spots.
tomorrow's my first day back to school (certificate program), so what did I do to prepare for my classes? I did reconnaissance on the parking garage.
yes, that's right.
while other students familiarized themselves with the uw campus, walking their schedule and figuring out which buildings they'll need for their classes tomorrow, I wandered around the central parking garage.
I know where my building is, and I'm relatively confident that I can find the classroom. however, since I tend not to drive to the university (because I usually avoid paying for parking), I figured that it would be better to navigate the unfamiliar while it was light out, and when I'm not rushing to get to my class. so, I walked into the garage from the one entrance that I know about (the car entrance), and walked counter-clockwise through the garage noting all the pedestrian exits. I went up the staircases for the three entrance/exits that I think that I'll use, just to see where they were above ground, so as to be able to use them when I return to the parking garage after class (and well after dark).
I'm sure I looked completely insane, walking up the staircases, looking around, and then heading back down into the bowels of the garage. then, doing the same thing from the next staircase. although to my credit, the entrances to the garage from above are not visible from each other (they're at different corners of red square, obscured by buildings), so I don't think that anyone saw me emerging from the garage multiple times. at least I hope not. but if they did, I probably resembled a human mole, navigating a series of tunnels, popping up to the surface to observe my surroundings and then returning to the underworld of cement and compact parking spots.