So, Where are My Classes?

Some of you have moved in already, some of you haven't. Hopefully you're spending time getting to know some other people on your hall and taking advantage of Tech's Welcome Back events (such as seeing Iron Man on the Drillfield this weekend or going to the Hokie Spirit Picnic on Sunday).

But, unfortunately, the real reason you're here is for school. And that means you're going to have to find your classes. Check with your RA to see if he or she is planning a campus tour sometime this weekend (I know there are a few out there) and, if so, bring your schedule with you.

As it is Thursday, or heck even if you do this tomorrow (Friday), you are able to go inside the buildings and find the actual classrooms. On Saturday and Sunday, you'll just be able to go to the buildings.

If there is no campus tour, either find your schedule from Orientation or print out a new one on Hokie Spa, arm yourself with a map, and hit the pavement. If you're not sure of building abbreviations, find your RA and ask or use the abbreviation guide on the timetable. On the small white side menu, there is a link that says "View Building Abbreviations;" a window will pop up when you click on the link.

The purpose of this trip, along with finding where your classes are in the first place, is to figure out what the best trip between two classes is. If you don't have it now, at some point you will have back-to-back classes in places like Surge and Williams (or Litton-Reeves and just about anywhere). It happens to everyone, you get used to it. If this has happened to you, it is up to you now to find the best path so you can make it to your next class 15 minutes later. Here's a hint: the shortest trip generally involves the Drillfield.

Another quick tip: familiarize yourself with the Hokie Express BT route, particularly if you have to get from Litton-Reeves or Wallace to somewhere clear across campus. But don't get on the bus on LR's side of the street--that will take you out to Oak Lane and the Cage, putting you even further from your class. Instead, get on the bus where it stops outside of Harper and Engel. Though, honestly, considering how slowly traffic moves on campus during class time, it will probably take you the same amount of time to walk.

Finally, if you do have classes that are clear across campus from each other, give the professor in the second class a head's up as to the situation. Tell them you're coming from Building X and that you'll do your best to make it on time each day. The prof's know what the walking distance is like here.