FREESE-FRAME
By Kaitlyn Freese
IV Leader Columnist, Sept. 2, 2010
Surely all freshman at IVCC have heard the rather cliché, yet reassuring statement “it happens to everyone.” Well, I’m here to tell the embarrassing story of my first day as a freshman at IVCC, and give all new students a few pointers.
Getting lost on a new campus, especially a large college campus, is not uncommon. Many of the students that attend IVCC have come from very small schools and are intimidated by the size of the campus, but fear not—numerous people have successfully learned the campus before you, and you can too!
On my first day, I made it safely to my first class of the day. Afterwards I successfully found my second class, only to see the infamous pink slip on the door noting that class was cancelled for the day. Being ambitious, I decided to wander the campus and attempt to learn my way around before my last class of the day. Oh, how ambitious of an idea that was. I was unsuccessful in even finding my last class,
traveled up and down the same handful of staircases countless times, passed the same classrooms time and time again, and was unable to figure out how to get back to the main lobby. Unfortunately, I had chosen to wear heeled boots that day and was really feeling the effects of my impromptu exercise routine when the panic and exhaustion slowly began to set in.
Forty-five minutes had gone by, the clock was ticking closer and closer to the start of my final class, and I still could not get my bearings.
I ended up traveling through the basement hallways until I found myself by the cafeteria, at which point I nearly jumped for joy. I then did what I should have done as soon as I arrived on campus that morning and went to the information desk, directly inside of the main entrance. As I soon found out, the people behind the information desk are extremely nice and very helpful. One lady actually took me through campus and directly to the door of the classroom I could not find—now that’s service!
Hopefully my story does not add to anyone’s fears, but rather eases them. I do not intend to scare any incoming students, but empower them. If you find yourself in a situation similar to mine, I have a few pointers for you:
• The faculty on campus are here to help you, so don’t be afraid to ask for their assistance.
• Ask for a (few) tour(s) of the entire campus, or help finding your individual classes.
• Walk around with a friend—ask them questions or teach them what you have learned about campus. Teaching another person about something not only helps them, but you too!
• Get a map and study it, plan out your route from class to class, and always carry it with you.
A map lets you see the entire campus layout all at once, instead of hallway by hallway as you walk. The campus, in a nutshell, is a large circle with five buildings. The lobby with the main entrance is building C and if you travel left, past the Bookstore and Jacob’s Library, the buildings are A, B, D, and E. (I didn’t realize they weren’t in alphabetical order until I started studying my map and planning my routes—I felt so silly!)
The main floor includes all “200” numbered classrooms, and therefore, all “300” classrooms are upstairs, and “100” classrooms are downstairs. Both male and female bathrooms are now on each floor, and you can always find a soda machine. How great is that?
The map of campus also shows the paths that cut across the courtyard. These paths can make your trip from one class to another, even the cafeteria, much faster. Each building has a large purple letter on it to help you choose the right doors to use, so get some fresh air and try using these shortcuts to save yourself some time.
All in all, my best advice to you is not to panic or worry. Once you get familiar with your new professors and classmates, you can ask them for help. If you are uncomfortable with all of the new people or simply want the satisfaction of figuring it out on your own, don’t forget that maps are available at the information desk inside the main entrance.
Just keep at it—repetition is probably the best way to learn the campus. (I’ve been here for a few semesters and I’m still learning everyday!) Add a bit of trial-and-error and determination into the equation, and you will be finding your way around campus in no time!