Registration aka Purgatoy

After my own orientation yesterday, I'm now sympathetic to the many registration complaints of you first years.

Here's a tip: Stop Whining.

You can either put up with the internet connection provided by MITS or buy a portable modem from either Digicel or Lime.

Here is a fact about registration at UWI. All your courses won't go through at once. Chances are you'll have to sign up for one or two a day until you've got them all. If you're really unlucky like I was last semester, you may have to go to the faculty office to get them to help you out.

 DO NOT let it stress you. Especially now when classes haven't started and you're still free.

If the add/drop period passes and you haven't registered for all your courses go to the faculty office and be polite and helpless looking. Go for the sympathy vote even though it's really UWI's fault for having such agonizingly hopeless internet. 

If when you finally registered you don't get the tutorial you want because it's full, it doesn't matter. Tutors are reasonable for the most part so sign up for one then go to the one you'd really like to attend and plead your case. Or just collect a visitors pass from the faculty office if you'd rather skip the long explanation.

Remember this when dealing with administrative staff: 

You'll catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

Day One

On this the eve of your transition to campus life, I find myself feeling more than a little nostalgic. Last year when I made the big move I was full of anticipation and practically giddy with joy at the thought of living on hall. Some of you may already be in your off campus apartments or staying with a relative before the move but I have no doubt you'll feel as I did last year. 

This is just a little something in between posts to let you know a few things:

-Don't be too intimidated by the people running orientation. They can't actually kill you.
-Embrace the traditions and try to participate without bitching.
-Make new friends and reconnect with old ones.
-Don't allow hall allegiances to come between you and your friends.
-HAVE FUN!

Hanging out on my hall

At the opening day of orientation with my friends

Trust me soaking up all this free time away from classes is totally worth it. 

I know you can eat...but can you cook?

You plan to eat at school? Then you better learn how to COOK. Unless of course you're a trust fund baby with a personal chef or bank account that allows you to eat out every night. If you are then feel free to ignore this post and go to hell... I hate you on principle.

If you plan to cook you'll need the ingredients.

On campus this is what you're in for. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but in time you'll realise the saying you may hear on campus "Hi prices, Lo quality" is somewhat true. Prices are steep but people are mostly just being cruel about the low quality part.

During my orientation a representative from  came to my hall to facilitate persons interested in a membership. Trust me being a member definitely has its perks. I have a weakness for flavoured Quaker Oatmeal and I get it here in bulk. Last Valentine's Day I got the best strawberries ever here when I couldn't find them elsewhere and in my opinion they have the best cheesecake around town. Prices are reasonable. Try to remember they sell in bulk and don't be too quick to call them expensive. 

Aside from heading to Hi-Lo for a few odds and ends or to Pricesmart for the special items, I do my shopping at a small supermarket in Papine. I used to be a constant shopper at              until one day I followed a friend to a small supermarket in Papine and realised I could get my favourite bottle of barbecue sauce (something I always have) for $166 instead of the $247. I've been a constant there ever since, especially since it's located across from the Papine Market, the place I get my fresh fruits and vegetables. Coronation Market is the better place for a bargain so if you're willing to go down town, kudos. 

There are multiple meat shops in Papine and it's way more cost effective to buy your chicken, pork, beef and whatever parts of the excretory system you eat at a meat shop than at the supermarket. I mean seriously, buying a whole chicken for $700+ at a supermarket versus buy at $41/lb at a meat shop? (Depends on the meat shop though). I prefer the one on the same plaza as the Police Station and the Digicel store.

Now I'm going to give you some advice.

On campus, there are many places you can buy food. 

- The Beehive

- Mary Seacole cafeteria 

- Pages Cafe

-  The Commisary

- Dukunoo Deli

- Multiple food kiosks scattered around campus

- Almost any residence hall

And my two favourites    

I said advice right? Here goes. Beware the pull of food you don't have to cook when you get your money. When will you get your money? Monthly? Weekly? Bi-weekly? It doesn't matter because there's one thing I know, when you get that money you'll feel rich. You'll be wanting to buy KFC just because you don't feel like cooking and in a week or so that money is going to dwindle so fast you'll curse the very food you ate. So make sure you at least had the good sense to spend some of that money on groceries before you splurge on junk food and overpriced iced coffee drinks.  

no copyright infringement intended.

Living essentials at a bargain

Well hello hello! Yes, I'm still alive. I've just been uber busy for the past few weeks with you know, getting everything ready for school, being a part of a reality TV show, becoming an impromptu promo-girl for liquid nitro while at RTI...

But enough about me, this post is all about YOU. The wannabe Big A with the last minute shopping to do. 

When it comes to me, I do all my shopping for room essentials at Target or Walmart. However, after  an unfortunate incident during first term involving some bleach and a load of laundry, I discovered the usefulness of our very own Bashco. MegaMart, Pricesmart and many other chain stores or just plain old Down town could do the trick but Bashco is a one stop shop and a bargain hunters paradise...and it's also indoors.

YOU ARE NOT DONE PACKING IF YOU DON'T HAVE:

1. Curtain and curtain rod


Bascho has many different colours made from a nice thick material guaranteed to block out the sun if you ever fall asleep with your window open. 
Curtain: $1800
Rod: $2000





2. Mattress cover 
       You don't know what happened on it before it became your mattress. Assume the worst. Play it safe. For a single bed sized mattress cover at Bashco: $260

3. Sheet Set
 One fitted sheet, one sheet, one pillow case. $950 at Bashco. Shop for the styles that suit your style.

4.  Fleece blanket or Comforter Set
 For those chilly days when you're napping and you can't be bothered to get under the covers. $1200
 Or you can invest in a comforter set aptly named "bed in a bag". One fitted sheet, one sheet, two pillow cases and a reversible comforter. You'll have to check out MegaMart or Pricesmart for this but they never seem to have any to fit dorm beds. If you've got a way to get it from abroad though the set pictured above is one of many that can be purchased at Target http://www.target.com/p/room-essentials-botanical-bed-set-orange-twin-extra-long/-/A-13974196#?lnk=sc_qi_detailbutton for $39.99 or J$3,550.

5. Decorative pillow

 

OK not a must but they're really comfy and add charater to your room and they only cost $475 in Bashco.

6. Area rug 

Also not a must but it does give you a place to lie down (besides the cold floor) when your bed is too inviting and you simply refuse to leave your room so you can get some work done. $1350-$2400 at Bashco.

7. Iron

This is absolutely necessary. Showing up looking dishevelled is never appropriate. Splurge on an iron please and thank you. $3150

8. Bath Towels

Plan to bathe? Let's hope so $895 for one at Bashco.

9. Storage (bins and hangers)

If you're like me then you plan to bring lots of stuff to school and back up stuff  for the stuff you've got. Storage will be provided in the form of drawers, a closet and shelf space. However, it helps to have back up storage and you can find conveniently sized storage bins at Bashco for $3700. 

 And a six pack of hangers for $195.

10. Bathroom Slippers
  

The above footwear is a must. The very thought of any of you standing barefoot in the shower is enough to turn my stomach...and the fungal infection (or other disease you may pick up if you shower barefoot) will definitely turn yours. Not to mention your friends and significant others. No price quote here. You can get these ANYWHERE. 

11. Shower Caddy
Even though I don't use one personally, many people do and who can blame them? This contraption makes it easy to carry your toothbrush, toothpaste, soap/shower gel, shaving cream, shampoo and conditioner, face wash/scrub, rag/loofah.   Sold for $460-$570. By the way, see those words in red? It means those items are a must have.

12. Clean up

 $170   $260$210

How to dress the part of a Big A

If living on hall...DO NOT go without one or more of these. The classic white T-shirt...prescribed uniform for freshers by their tormentors and by that of course I mean seniors who are there to facilitate your high school to college transition...(yeah right). Good luck Chancellor hopefuls....you'll need it. (insert evil laugh here)

Bring sneakers. Running might be required (definitely required for Chancellorites) and they come in handy if you decide to take up jogging or  go to the gym but girls be warned...its a balls fest in there so if you're into the muscle bound macho type (or the scrawny ones trying to get a body) let the sneakers do the walking to the student's union. That being said have at it boys. I hope everyone rolls their eyes at this since its so obvious but PLEASE bring socks.

DENIM IS YOUR FRIEND.

For the typical college student this is a miracle fabric. You can spill almost anything on it and by the time the washing machine hits the rinse cycle its as good as new. Which brings me to my second favourite thing about denim: you don't wash it after every wear  (unless you want to destroy it) so your weekly laundry loads aren't always heavy. Denim, be it of the pants, shorts or skirt variety (females only on the skirt front please)  is extremely versatile as I'm sure you know so play it casual to class with a T-shirt or a simple tank. ATTENTION LADIES dressing up your skinnies every once in a while is always a good idea.

Tailored shorts aren't a must but they definitely come in handy if you want to class things up a bit while showing off the legs and they're just as versatile as their denim counterparts.

Now for the BOYS I've always loved a man in a good pair of cargo shorts so guys, even if you don't subscribe to my tastes please get out of the jeans every once in a while.                   

When it comes to tops bring EVERYTHING. Trust me on this one. Bring the stuff hidden in the back of your closet that you haven't worn for years. Bring the stuff you've been hiding because you know your parents would never approve. Bring your high school sports jerseys or house shirts. Bring the good the bad and the downright embarrassing, an opportunity to wear it will present itself. You never know!

Dress, dress, dress! Everyone girl needs to have :

• The sexy clubbing dress as seen above me and my girls at the Quad (Something showing off your best assets but try to remember there's a fine line between sexy and slutty. You never know when a pro photographer might be skulking around. Do you really want your mother to see what you wear when she's not looking?)
• The cute sun-dress you can wear to class if you're feeling pretty one day 
• The flirty date dress
• The conservative easy dress you can wear to go have ice cream at Haagen-Dazs or Devon house or just out to dinner when the parents visit or something
• The final dress you need (especially if you plan to attend orientation) is the cocktail dress for orientation dinner. Below is a picture of what me and my two besties wore. 

Boys please ditch the T-shirt and jeans when heading out on the town...it's played out and down right depressing. The above is a guy look I've always appreciated. Jeans, long sleeve shirt (don't come to college without a few of these guys) and some neat shoes like the ones pictured above. 

LADIES DO NOT LEAVE YOUR HEELS!

With that said, you will find that boys and girls alike love to wear flip flops to class in lieu of actual shoes or sandals, Yours truly is guilty of that too. BEWARE the following...

the UWI/UTECH sun is brutal! And these unflattering tan lines take FOREVER to go away. BUT there is a solution.

TA-DAH!

These shoes go with just about everything for boys and girls alike who want to take it easy and they're great walking shoes (which unless you have a car you'll be doing a lot of) so they're necessary.

Important song...take note of the message.

After everything I said in this post it's important that you leave knowing one thing: After the first few weeks nobody cares what you wear to school or how often you repeat clothes so don't stress about what to wear.

The Start of the Best Years

My room on Rex Nettleford Hall 

 This August when your parents drop you off and make sure you have food, money and your room is in order...what are you going to do? The answer is: ANYTHING YOU WANT


If you're going to be attending UWI or UTECH this fall then you're in for some major culture shock. Especially if you were a sheltered high school student. 


Everything you've ever wanted to do or try or taste or savour will be available because now you're the big A.


Physically speaking the transition from the little A of adolescence to the big A of Adulthood doesn't really show since puberty is basically over by the time you get to university . However, when the knowledge that you live by yourself (on or off campus) finally hits its a realisation of power like none other.

BUT!

"with great power comes great responsibility"

Please take careful note of the following:


1. There is always a party 

2. You are an adult and will be treated as such so if you're drunk one night and run over a guy while joy riding in your friend's car...your ass is going to jail.


3. There is always a party


4.Try to exercise your right to be called an adult by not calling mommy/daddy/grandparents etc for every little thing...make your own decisions so you can learn from them if you screw up OR pat yourself on the shoulder if you did something right


5. There is always a party

6. Completely disregard #4 when it comes to food in general and Sunday dinner in particular. If you have relatives close by or coming close by on any given day EXPLOIT THEIR GENEROSITY SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO COOK


7. There is always a party


8. Security guards on hall will know your business


9. There is always a party

10. Nosey neighbours off hall will know your business