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