I'm typing this entry in an on-campus computer lab: of 41 brand-spanking new flatscreen Dells, over half are unoccupied. All the other computer rooms on campus combined have only seven machines available, and they're all stand-up, 10-minute limit, quick access computers.
How is this so, you ask? Via the Computer Lab Management's "Available Computer Rooms" page, I discovered a treasure: a brand new computer lab that opened just yesterday in the new Sciences Lab Building. In general, the "Available Computer Rooms" page is a great way to find a computer lab where you won't need to wait in line for a machine.
On my way over here, I started thinking about all the nifty little tricks I've learned after attending 13 quarters at UCD, and how it might be nice to share some of them with those of you who will be here a while longer. A lot of them are fairly obvious, but I figure most people would learn something.
But let's not make this simply a channel for me to show off some tricks. After all, I'm certain I could learn a thing or two from most of you. I encourage those of you who attend UCD to use the comments to impart your wisdom as well. And for those of you who don't attend UCD, feel free to leave any of your secrets that you think would apply on any college campus.
So, on to the secrets …
How to see if it's worth your time to wait in line
Let's say you need to print out a paper really soon, and you're trying to gauge if you should wait in line at a computer lab. How do you tell if it's a fast line, or a slow line? As you walk in, give the busy computers a once over. If you see a lot of people writing papers, chances are the line's gonna be slow. If it's mostly people using email or web browsing, it'll probably be fast. If you see someone chatting, scowl at them.How to order at the CoHo Grill (and get your money's worth)
Burritos are usually fast, unless it's really busy and there are a lot of orders—in that case, quesadillas can sometimes go faster since they seem to get priority over burritos (credit to John for figuring that one out). Before ordering, keep a close eye on the burritos and quesadillas coming off the line, especially if whoever's making them seems new—if they're looking small, you might as well try the hot food line instead (trust me, the Hungarian beef goulash tastes better than it looks). Also, I like to scope out the meat ahead of time, to make sure it's not looking charred. And although my personal preference is steak instead of chicken, someone who's worked for the CoHo assures me that if I knew how they handle the steak, I'd never eat it again.How to avoid long Bookstore lines
So, even though you're a townie, you've waited until the first week of the quarter to get your books, and now the checkout line stretches to infinity. As a college student, you've got way more important things to do than wait in line—things like playing Area 51 at the Games Area, or sleeping. Whatever will you do?The solution comes from Bethany. There's a "secret" checkout in the back corner by the art supplies, and the line is usually much shorter, if there's a line at all. It used to be that you needed to have one art supply item to use that line (get yourself some colored pencils—you know you wanted them anyways), but the last time I went, it didn't seem like they enforced that requirement.
Mmmm, well I know some ins and outs pretty good, but I am not so sure they are all completely legit:
1. Key to finding an e-mail address for students or employees: whois.ucdavis.edu
2: Way to get around the printing rule...use an engineering lab :)
3. Need scanners, photoshop, illustrator or any other media making device..Meyer Media
4. Forgot money and want a snack..Engineering library, charge a luna bar and gatorade to your reg card...or books, paper, makeup & sweatshirts at the MU...for those of you on financial aid (or those lucky enough to have parents that will pay your bill)
5. Need Tutoring....math and science help; Learning Skills Center Dutton Hall
Note: the Art department trick: I usually buy a gel pen, they are even cheaper in the Art dept. than a few rows over in the office supplies.
Some more tips:
1. Need lunch and you are over by the Silo? Skip the Silo's high prices, long lines, and fast food by going to the Silo Pub. You can get take out soup or Salad (each comes with really good bread). The soup is the best on campus: $3.50 or $2.70, if you buy a card for 10. (It's my new favorite thing, i love when if forget lunch.)
2. Want a Mocha? Don't want to spend $3+, mix hot chocolate and the mocha Java roast at the MU: same price as reg coffee and still very yummy.
3. Finals week: after 11pm the coffee house re-opens unil 2am and has free coffee and cookies.
4. At the Silo when Pizza Hut closes? They give away their left over pizzas, you have to time it right and have a bit of luck.
CoHo trick--save money and time, buy bagel pizzas by the sandwiches (a buck a pop, two bucks gives you a full stomach, and the line is basically non existant) or if you are willing to give up quality for saving money, you can get breadsticks by the pizza and burritos 85 cents for two.
Overall trick--it isn't about depriving yourself, it is more about selling out on quality.
I am sure I will be blasted by the general readership for these statements.
Bethany--I didnt know about the coffee house final thing. That is AWESOME!
Wow...those are pretty good. I really like the one about the Pub.
Nathan: nothing wrong with saving a buck.
Here are some others I thought of:
Best price for books: Go down to the bookstore early (preferably two weeks or more before a quarter starts). Write down the ISBN and prices for the books that you need. Then go to www.fetchbook.info: it searches over 110 bookstores, and even calculates shipping.
Poor man's latté: Not really a college thing, but...
At Starbuck's, order a double or triple espresso on ice. They'll give it to you in one of those clear little plastic cups. Then head over to the condiments and add some milk or half and half. You'll save a dollar, which basically would've been to pay the barista to add milk. Interestingly enough, I learned this trick from a former Starbuck's employee.
Find (or make) a friend who works in the grill line at the Coho. You get a meal and a half.
Fairly obvious, but bring a water bottle or mug and save 10 cents on the cup.
The Coho should really institute a loyalty program, where regulars get benefits.
Doesn't Bethany get a comment icon?
Excellent, I can see what I write, you fixed it, thanks Al. Yeah...the Pub I forgot, I found that out with Josh our Senior year (the rolls ARE the bomb!!), and found out about the buy 10 cards from Sande Dyer when we worked at APC....very interesting what you learn....he he he.
That is a pretty neat icon that Bethany's got now.
Now we just have to get one for JK :)
Hmm... tricks I learned at UCD:
1. Don't trust the councilors. They usually underestimate you.
2. Know your rights as a student. If your prof decides to change a test date on you without consulting the whole class, just one student is needed to protest, and the date can remain the same (or changed).
3. Free parking on campus? Find a friend who live at the Colleges and ask for parking permit. :) Each apt is entitled one to a bedroom.
4. No hot water at home/ apt? Free hot showers at the ARC. Saves on heating bill too. lol
Just my 2 cents. And no, I didn't take showers at the Arc. My friends had to- their apt up in North Davis had water heater leakages. *_* haha
-Crys
Parking at the parking structure?
Arrive 10 min to the hour (before 12pm) or on the hour (after 12pm) to secure your parking spot in the ever-crowded structure. This ensures that you will be there when MANY people are moving their cars and not driving around in circles when NO ONE is vacating their parking spot.
1. 5 coho burritos in 5 days begets bad gas (hey, it was my freshman year, i didn't know any better)
2. you will save yourself a lot of time if you ride your bike instead of take the bus. from my apartment in west davis i save about a 1/2 hour total when i bike.
3. reading your textbook is rarely necessary to get a good grade.
4. there is a lot of cool stuff to read in shields
5. the only thing worth reading in the aggie is artsweek
After wracking my brain and scolding myself for lacking any sort of creative advise, I finally thought of something. It is unpractical, but fun. I guess it could make for a nice study break.
Along the arboredum, near Myer Hall there is a facility where UCD has a bunch of horses. They bread them, and in the spring there are ususally 5-10 baby horses. It is fun (at least for me--the country bumkin that I am) to walk down there and pet them through the fence.
Now some of you think I am crazy. But try it this spring. I guarantee a free smile.