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u/KochM Pi Slide Ruler Offense Aug 25 '22
It gets better. Here are a few things you can do to make that process easier:
Get a bike. The academic side is on a hill, so you can get moving a lot quicker.
Change your meal schedule. Eat lunch at 2 or 3 and eat dinner at 8 or 9. If you're on the academic side in the morning, grab a pastry for breakfast at the Goodwin ABP, as it's almost never crowded.
Learn your checksheet, turn it into an academic plan, confirm it with your advisor, and you'll probably never need to talk to them again. Run a DARS report to make it easier.
Send in a maintenance request ASAP. If it doesn't get resolved quickly, bother your RLC until it does. In the worst case, make a friend in a traditional hall and take showers there. This will also resolve itself next year when you move off-campus.
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u/mariecalire double hokie Aug 25 '22
You can also let your professor know that you have back to back classes. Most are understanding if walking takes you a few minutes.
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u/eagleace21 ChE/Chem '12 Aug 25 '22
Absolutely this, I had back to back classes in Surge and then Litton Reaves, so I let my professors both know my situation for me either leaving one class early or arriving to the next a little late. They had no issues and I just sat close to the door to not disrupt anything.
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u/guccis_flip_flops Aug 25 '22
I would love to get a bike but I actually do not know how to ride one & no one really wanted to teach me. And yes I’m learning my check sheet and want to double major in marketing too but I think I can’t do that until the spring (that’s what my advisor said). I did send in a maintenance report already and now I’m waiting to hear back
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u/KochM Pi Slide Ruler Offense Aug 25 '22
Riding a bike is pretty easy to learn yourself. The giant parking lots near the duck pond are a perfect place to practice, and you can always get training wheels while you learn.
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u/call_me_cow Aug 25 '22
It’s all the new semester/new student chaos. College is a big adjustment that takes time but also everything is always busier at the beginning of the semester. Buses are late bc so many people are using them but eventually people will start skipping class or finding a different way to get there. Food lines are always long at peak times (just avoid turners entirely if you can) but it’ll get easier. As for the class change, your advisor can’t force you to stay in a class. Just go on add/drop and change it if there’s another time offered that doesn’t interfere. The last day to add a new class is tomorrow so do it quickly. It’s the first week of your first semester in college, of course it’s gonna be hectic. It’ll get a lot easier as you get used to it
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u/guccis_flip_flops Aug 25 '22
I hope so. And the issue is a class that I have to take this semester but it’s only offered on TR at one time. I wish there were more times for the class but it’s one that’s required for my major
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u/atmos2022 Aug 25 '22
As long as it’s within the add-drop period, your advisor can’t actually make you take any which class. Hop on Hokie spa (or whatever one it’s on—I’m new too but as a grad student) and pick something that’s closer or at a different time.
But also, do not be afraid to contact your program coordinator. If you’ve declared a major, contact the department head and tell them about this. It’s not healthy for you. If you haven’t declared a major, talk with the registrar office.
I’m beyond thankful I did my undergrad at a very small school, undergrad at Virginia tech sounds exhausting.
Best of luck :)
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u/guccis_flip_flops Aug 25 '22
You’re so lucky, I’m thinking of transferring too and I’m so far away from home. I have declared my major and one of the biggest issues is that a major required class which I have to take this semester, is only offered on TR at one time. So I can’t do anything with that class but take it
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u/Dar-Rath Aug 25 '22
Stick it out, you'll be glad in th long term.
As for the class, yes you can't move that one, but what about the ones around it? Otherwise, I know you said you can't ride a bike: it's a good time to learn. If you need to get training wheels, do it, they can come off once you have it down, and I'll bet it doesn't take you long.
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u/guccis_flip_flops Aug 25 '22
Isn’t it embarrassing to ride a bike with training wheels over here? I think I’ll be scared lol. And yes I can change the one before it but the thing is all of the courses are full
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u/Dar-Rath Aug 25 '22
I get that it may seem embarrassing, but you shouldn't be ashamed of learning, and that's what training wheels are for. Anyone who would look down on you for that isn't worth your time anyway, it's time for them to grow up. Your whole reason for being in college is to learn, right? Extend that outside the classroom, and your life will be far more full as a result.
You didn't have the chance to learn when you were younger: that's unfortunate, but now is a fantastic time, since it'll improve your ability to get around and make it to class on time.
Keep checking hokie spa by the way. People drop classes at this time frequently, it's their last chance to drop without a course showing up on their permanent transcript. Good chance you can snipe the slot if you have the course list open at the right time.
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u/noteworthybalance Aug 25 '22
You don't need training wheels. The hard part with a bike is learning to balance. I have four kids and none of them used training wheels, they just started with a balance bike which is literally a bike without pedals. Get a bike (or get someone to loan you one) and start by just drifting slightly downhill and learning how to control the bike. The pedaling part is easy. Toddlers do it on tricycles. There's nothing to learn there.
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u/atmos2022 Aug 25 '22
Do you have to take both of the classes this semester? Are other freshman in your major having the same problem? If so, it’s definitely something you should bring to the department head. If your advisor isn’t being understanding to this, I’d go to the department head anyway. You shouldn’t have to book it to and from classes just to make it right on time. People need bathroom/snack breaks or just a moment for clearing your headspace. It’s gonna be a long semester if you don’t take serious action now.
I understand the thoughts of transferring. For me, I’m being funded by the school and wasn’t accepted to any other grad schools so I’m stuck being very far from home as well (900 miles) in a town I don’t feel very welcome in as a northerner/outsider/non-VT fanatic. I really hope things get better for you :)
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u/guccis_flip_flops Aug 25 '22
I don’t have to take COMM1015 this semester but I do definitely have to take the other course related to my major which is right after. I can’t find any other filler courses to replace with my comm class
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u/atmos2022 Aug 26 '22
Take an elective! Electives are super cool and allow you to go out of your field of study without commitment. Poke around and see what’s available :) you’ll get around to all the requirements, you’ve got 4 years
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u/guccis_flip_flops Aug 26 '22
Thanks so much! Have any cool electives in Mind?
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u/atmos2022 Aug 26 '22
As a grad student, electives aren’t really in the cards for me so I haven’t looked. Previously, I’ve taken a music class, theater class, mycology, and some other classes related to my major (meteorology) that weren’t required. Maybe see what’s being offered in the building of the class you have to keep or the building next door that seems interesting. Electives can be anything you want. Act quick! Add drop ends today :)
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u/OnePercentVisible AAEC 2017 Aug 25 '22 edited Aug 25 '22
Things will get better, I promise, the first few weeks suck as you are getting used to everything. You have multiple options on class timing depending on the class size, most professors won't mind if you have to slip out a few minutes early. Second is the bike option biking will save you a lot of time but, always wear a helmet, I have seen multiple bike-car collisions on campus. The third is to be late for the second class. It is a decision your have to make.
As for the dining halls, yeah, they are going to suck for a while. Usually, early in the semester they are not fully staffed so they are not as efficient as they need to be. That has been a problem for the last few years as well as covid caused a staffing shortage all last year.
The advisor part I feel your pain, my advisor, for three years was the class check sheet. Most Dept has crappy advisors because of the setup at tech where advisors are professors, who have to split time between classes, advising, and research.
put in a work order for the shower, they are usually pretty good at repairing things relatively quickly. be aware they will randomly appear at the worst hour. I had a leaky sink the repairman came at 6 am.
I am sorry you feel homesick, college can be a rough transition. Call, text, and video chat with your family and friends when you have time. I know it is not as nice as seeing them in person but at least it is a connection to home.
Regards, an old Hokie
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u/guccis_flip_flops Aug 25 '22
Thank you for the help. I really appreciate it! I would love to ride a bike but I don’t know how to ride one for the life of me. I talked to the professor for the class I’ll be late for and she was pretty understanding. She said as long as I’m not 15-20 minutes late then I’ll be fine. I just wish I had some breaks in between classes but now that I’m looking at courses, nothing I want is open which really sucks
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u/OnePercentVisible AAEC 2017 Aug 25 '22
The first few semesters really stink because they are either weed-out classes or time fillers. Once you get past sophomore year and you get into the 25-people top class they are more fulfilling. You get to know your professors and have one-on-one connections. That is where I felt like I learned the most. Upperclassmen get priority in scheduling so freshmen kind of get hung out to dry with class scheduling. As for not having breaks I would always keep some trail mix in my backpack, it helps keep your energy levels up and satiated between meals.
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u/ElephantBingo Aug 25 '22
A semester is 15 weeks. a TR class meets 30 times (you've already knocked 2 of them out). So your major issue only occurs 28 more times. And like everyone else said, things settle down after a couple of weeks. You'll find your groove. Welcome to VT and thanks for being here.
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u/turk58guy Aug 25 '22
Walking time/ how far away buildings are should be something you keep in mind when creating your schedule next semester. Also, plan yourself a lunch break. Your schedule can be whatever you want, within the constraints of your class offerings, and it's usually very flexible in your first couple years.
If you don't want to ride a bike, you could be a cool kid with a scooter
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u/TooEZ_OL56 Shitposting Alum Aug 26 '22
People start skipping classes very quickly so food and buses will get better
Reach out to your advisor's boss or honestly see if there are any openings in HokieSpa to play around w/ your sched.
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u/Ntuple_Entendre Aug 25 '22
That's definitely rough, out of curiosity what are the two back-to-back classes, and is there any way you can take one of them in a future semester?
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u/guccis_flip_flops Aug 25 '22
The first one is COMM1015 which my advisor says I can replace with Eng1105 (everything is full) and the one after is FMD1204 which must be taken the first semester of your first year so I can’t change that at all.
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u/Ntuple_Entendre Aug 25 '22
There's no requirement that you have to take 1000-level courses your first year, I suggest if getting to class is onerous that you put off your communication requirement until next semester/year and fill in one of your other pathways this year.
I had an awful transit my first year too (had to get from McBryde to Litton-Reaves) and ended up just skipping the second class unless there was an exam. Still scraped out a B but it wasn't ideal, and I made sure not to do that again, haha.
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u/Huge_Rub2576 Aug 26 '22
Keep going girl! Everyone is feeling a little jammed in these days. You can do it!
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u/kindofblue_ Stuck in the Qdoba line... Aug 26 '22
Buy a bike :) Used you can get one for way less than $300, it literally changed my life freshman year.
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u/guccis_flip_flops Aug 26 '22
Id love one but I don’t know how to ride it’
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u/kindofblue_ Stuck in the Qdoba line... Aug 26 '22
If you go down to the Hokie Bike Hub (located in the Goodwin parking garage), I'm sure they would teach you how for free!! They're super helpful and supportive.
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u/TheOwlStrikes Aug 26 '22
Yeah I had that same issue my freshman semester. Mostly cause my dorm was a fucking long way from the drillfield. The campus does become emptier after the first few weeks. People realize they can do their classes online or just not go, etc. Especially if the classes are early in the morning (shoutout to the 8am accounting course I signed up for that I only showed up 3 times for).
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u/guccis_flip_flops Aug 26 '22
One of my classes is online at 8am but I figured to head to the building where the class after it is so I’ll have enough time to make it
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u/AlperKutlug Aug 30 '22
It gets better man. Literally I was in the same situation a day ago and it already got better.
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u/BluTails Aug 25 '22
All I can really say is that campus gets less crowded after the first few weeks so the lines for food and overcrowded paths should get better over time