By Brandy Voirin/reporter
Most students know to study the syllabus before the semester begins, but TR student John Koutsousfis recommends studying a campus map as well.
“I had a map and all the room numbers last semester, and I still got lost,” he said. “I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, I should have studied this map before the day of.’”
Koutsousfis joined other veteran TCC students in sharing what they wish they had known their first week.
He said new students should arrive early each day with a plan to find each class.
“I’ve attended several campuses, and no campus is exactly the same,” he said. “Look at the map and try to plan it out or be prepared to suffer.”
Koutsousfis eventually learned his way around many campuses.
“I learned through being late a lot,” he said. “Eventually, I figured it out.”
NE student Shelby Gordon has attended TCC for over a year and said cash rules at school.
“Whether I’m here for an hour or six hours, I get hungry,” she said. “Most vending machines only accept cash although there is a credit card sign posted.”
Gordon also said on NE Campus she drives at least a few miles for food rather than partaking in Subway’s fare. She suggested students set a budget for their spending.
“Eating off campus is expensive, and I’m not sure how much I have spent,” she said. “Not to mention, I risk losing my parking spot on campus, which creates a whole new problem.”
Lunch money isn’t the only thing students are prone to lose. Some students have even lost their cars.
TCC police Lt. Terry Moak said he receives the most requests from students who have lost their cars, which is right above students locking their keys in their cars.
“It happens a lot at the beginning of the year and settles down somewhat toward the end of the year,” he said. “My number one tip to all students is to be aware of your surroundings.”
Moak has worked at several campuses and said in every outside parking lot there are letters and numbers on light poles, which allows students to know where they are.
“An example is B1, lets a student know that they are in the B1 area,” he said. “Most of all, students should try to remember which way they entered the campus as well.“
Officers on all campuses are here to help, he said.
“We understand,” he said. “But after a long day of classes, some students just become disorientated. We’ve seen it all.”
Police on each campus offer a variety of services most students don’t realize.
“We unlock cars, but we are not a locksmith,” he said. “Also, we will jump start your car, but we are not mechanics either.”
Moak said students shouldn’t be afraid to ask the police officers for help because during the first month of school, they are there to assist on many normal issues too.
“Just ask, and I will always try to help any student,” he said. “I love being a part of the community.”
The police department happily fulfills most student requests or will direct students to the right department.
But every now and then, a few requests are stranger than others.
“One came in for gas earlier this year, and although the police department offers a lot, we don’t offer gasoline,” Moak said.
