Hey everyone, sorry I haven't posted entries about dorms or moving in. I was on vacation (with no internet, which was frankly wonderful) and then I was just too darn lazy for the last few days.
Hooray Hokie Camp! Session 1 starts today, and I leave tomorrow for Session 2 counselor training.
Anyway, in case you were wondering, here are the posts from last year about dorm life, roommates, and such:
Dorm Life 101 -- Roommates and Friends
The All-Important "What to Pack" List
Staying Safe at VT
And the one that you'll probably never admit to worrying about: Homesickness
Another note: Drop/Add for Fall 2009 has opened, and will remain open until the second week of classes. So now's the time to pick up that section of ECON 2005 you were thinking about adding or to *consider* changing your English class. Remember what I said though -- once you drop a class, you might not get it back. A good rule of thumb is to try and switch to a class with several seats still left in it. We're talking at least 4 or 5.
Also, be careful when you're signing up for classes. Make sure you enter the precise CRN. I made this mistake myself today (yes, and I'm a senior).
I wanted to change my section of FST 2014 from online to in-class. The CRN for the section of FST 2014 I wanted was 93096, but I typed in 90396. That enrolled me in AOE 7994, the research and dissertation course for Aerospace and Ocean Engineering PhD students...oops. I'm good, but I'm not that good.
Fortunately you can catch a slip-up like this immediately and correct it. Just remember to keep the timetable open.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Weather Update and a Few Reminders
Hey there freshmen Hokies!
Right now it's pretty gray, dreary, and unlikely to get out of the 60s (the rain is much-needed, though). On the other hand, it's looking to be in the low 80s for the first week of Freshman Orientation, so pack accordingly. But don't forget that umbrella! We haven't had any unpredictable thunderstorms yet, but I'm not holding my breath.
Some Reminders:
- Visit the Hokie Camp table during Orientation and sign up! Only 1/3 of the spots have been filled, mostly in sessions 1 and 3. As a session 2 counselor, I'd love to see more of you sign up!
- Some colleges, including the College of Science, have an evening session during Day 1. This session is NOT optional. In efforts to make the sessions on Day 2 shorter, we present a significant amount of information during these evening sessions. The sessions last about an hour, giving you plenty of time to eat dinner and put your things in the dorm before the student night sessions on Day 1.
Right now it's pretty gray, dreary, and unlikely to get out of the 60s (the rain is much-needed, though). On the other hand, it's looking to be in the low 80s for the first week of Freshman Orientation, so pack accordingly. But don't forget that umbrella! We haven't had any unpredictable thunderstorms yet, but I'm not holding my breath.
Some Reminders:
- Visit the Hokie Camp table during Orientation and sign up! Only 1/3 of the spots have been filled, mostly in sessions 1 and 3. As a session 2 counselor, I'd love to see more of you sign up!
- Some colleges, including the College of Science, have an evening session during Day 1. This session is NOT optional. In efforts to make the sessions on Day 2 shorter, we present a significant amount of information during these evening sessions. The sessions last about an hour, giving you plenty of time to eat dinner and put your things in the dorm before the student night sessions on Day 1.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
It's That Time of Year...
Orientation time, that is. I just thought I'd repost the advice from last year and add some more.
For both Transfer and Freshman Orientation:
- Check the weather as you pack. Summer in Blacksburg is slightly bi-polar, though it's generally hot. Hot and humid, hot and dry, hot and windy, etc. So unless you have to wear pants or a long skirt for religious reasons, I would advise wearing shorts and a T-shirt, as well as comfortable walking shoes. It's looking to be in the high 80s and sunny for Transfer Orientation.
- That being said, bring an umbrella. Rain in Blacksburg tends to come quickly and with little warning aside from a thunderclap, even if the forecast is promising sunny skies. If you have one that can fold up and be shoved in a backpack or purse, bring that.
- Your head must be uncovered for your Hokie Passport photo (religious head coverings being the exception), and long hair must be loose. Feel free to tie it up once your photo's been taken, however. Be sure to also bring a photo ID (driver's license, ID from a previous college, etc) to your passport session.
- Make sure you have your two wallet-sized photos, and write your name and ID number on the back of each.
- You'll want to bring a sweatshirt or long-sleeve shirt with you. McBryde 100 is cold, as are Squires (freshmen) and the GLC (transfers), and some of the academic buildings where your department sessions are held are also routinely kept about as warm as your refrigerator (the building where Chem majors meet is especially notorious for this).
- Bring copies of anything that needed to be sent to VT (transcripts/grade reports, AP scores, etc) on the off chance that the college hasn't received it from Admissions. (Especially transfers) Spring 09 transcripts haven't all come in yet, so some transfers and freshmen with dual enrollment still have courses listed as "in progress".
For Transfer Orientation:
- If you weren't offered a spot in on-campus housing, you'll probably be spending some time during Orientation trying to find an apartment. The Collegiate Times (CT) and the Off-Campus Housing office both have listings for people looking to sublet or in need of additional roommates. For the Off-Campus Housing site, you'll need to register. You can visit the office as well, in Squires Student Center. The office will also provide you with a list of all the complexes in Blacksburg.
- Everyone comes in with a different amount of credit and classes fulfilled for his/her major, so department sessions can get long. Be patient, you will be helped.
For Freshmen Orientation:
- Get a good amount of sleep the night before. You'll be up late the night of Day 1 and have to be up early for college sessions and advising on Day 2. Breakfast on Day 2 starts at 6:30 AM. I speak from experience; sessions on Day 1 don't end until nearly midnight and I didn't go to bed until nearly 2 AM. I felt dead the next morning.
- You don't need a suitcase for your overnight in the dorm. All you need is a backpack or a small duffel. In it, you will need: something comfortable to sleep in (I vote T-shirt and gym shorts, as Slusher is not air-conditioned), the essentials for hygiene, and a T-shirt, shorts, and sweatshirt for the next day. Additionally, you'll have to carry this around on Day 1 due to minimal parking at Slusher, so keep it light. Bring a small window or personal fan as well.
- Your schedules will be batched out soon. Depending on how much AP/IB/dual-enrollment credit Tech has received for you, you may not need to make any changes, or you may need to sign up for a class to fill the time normally taken up by MATH 1205 or English. If you don't need to make changes*, you can meet up with your parents as soon as you get your schedule. Otherwise, an advisor will help you create your schedule.
* by "need to make changes," I mean you have credit for English and therefore don't need the class, or have only been assigned Physical Geology because you've got credit for everything. An 8 AM Econ class when you aren't a morning person does not count.
After Orientation:
- DO NOT CHANGE YOUR SCHEDULE!!! Some classes (ex: Chem Lab) are in such high demand that some of us are watching drop-add around the clock for an open section. If you drop it in hopes of adding one at a different time, you may never get it back.
- Don't give your parents your password (sorry parents). Every year we get a few calls because Mom or Dad has dropped Hokie's Math/Sociology/whatever class and now it's full. If your parents want to see your grades and records, and you're okay with that, fill out the FERPA release on Hokie Spa. Make the passcode something easy to remember, like their wedding anniversary or whatever.
- If you're going to get your textbooks from the On-Campus Bookstore/Volume Two or the Tech Bookstore, reserve them in advance. This will save you time at book rush. You can also compare prices on Half.com, Amazon, or where ever. If you do this, be sure you buy the correct edition of the book.
- You will have an additional information on the afternoon of Sunday, August 23rd. Attendance is mandatory, as topics relating to academic eligibility, the honor code, and other academic issues will be covered.
At Orientation, you'll be issued a Course of Study Planner and some post-it notes to use with it. Feel free to play around with it, looking at what's offered for Core Courses and free electives. Most majors have an Orientation course that you'll have to take in your first semester at Tech, and during these courses you'll have to create a four year plan, so this is a good way to get an idea of what's offered.
See you all at Orientation!
For both Transfer and Freshman Orientation:
- Check the weather as you pack. Summer in Blacksburg is slightly bi-polar, though it's generally hot. Hot and humid, hot and dry, hot and windy, etc. So unless you have to wear pants or a long skirt for religious reasons, I would advise wearing shorts and a T-shirt, as well as comfortable walking shoes. It's looking to be in the high 80s and sunny for Transfer Orientation.
- That being said, bring an umbrella. Rain in Blacksburg tends to come quickly and with little warning aside from a thunderclap, even if the forecast is promising sunny skies. If you have one that can fold up and be shoved in a backpack or purse, bring that.
- Your head must be uncovered for your Hokie Passport photo (religious head coverings being the exception), and long hair must be loose. Feel free to tie it up once your photo's been taken, however. Be sure to also bring a photo ID (driver's license, ID from a previous college, etc) to your passport session.
- Make sure you have your two wallet-sized photos, and write your name and ID number on the back of each.
- You'll want to bring a sweatshirt or long-sleeve shirt with you. McBryde 100 is cold, as are Squires (freshmen) and the GLC (transfers), and some of the academic buildings where your department sessions are held are also routinely kept about as warm as your refrigerator (the building where Chem majors meet is especially notorious for this).
- Bring copies of anything that needed to be sent to VT (transcripts/grade reports, AP scores, etc) on the off chance that the college hasn't received it from Admissions. (Especially transfers) Spring 09 transcripts haven't all come in yet, so some transfers and freshmen with dual enrollment still have courses listed as "in progress".
For Transfer Orientation:
- If you weren't offered a spot in on-campus housing, you'll probably be spending some time during Orientation trying to find an apartment. The Collegiate Times (CT) and the Off-Campus Housing office both have listings for people looking to sublet or in need of additional roommates. For the Off-Campus Housing site, you'll need to register. You can visit the office as well, in Squires Student Center. The office will also provide you with a list of all the complexes in Blacksburg.
- Everyone comes in with a different amount of credit and classes fulfilled for his/her major, so department sessions can get long. Be patient, you will be helped.
For Freshmen Orientation:
- Get a good amount of sleep the night before. You'll be up late the night of Day 1 and have to be up early for college sessions and advising on Day 2. Breakfast on Day 2 starts at 6:30 AM. I speak from experience; sessions on Day 1 don't end until nearly midnight and I didn't go to bed until nearly 2 AM. I felt dead the next morning.
- You don't need a suitcase for your overnight in the dorm. All you need is a backpack or a small duffel. In it, you will need: something comfortable to sleep in (I vote T-shirt and gym shorts, as Slusher is not air-conditioned), the essentials for hygiene, and a T-shirt, shorts, and sweatshirt for the next day. Additionally, you'll have to carry this around on Day 1 due to minimal parking at Slusher, so keep it light. Bring a small window or personal fan as well.
- Your schedules will be batched out soon. Depending on how much AP/IB/dual-enrollment credit Tech has received for you, you may not need to make any changes, or you may need to sign up for a class to fill the time normally taken up by MATH 1205 or English. If you don't need to make changes*, you can meet up with your parents as soon as you get your schedule. Otherwise, an advisor will help you create your schedule.
* by "need to make changes," I mean you have credit for English and therefore don't need the class, or have only been assigned Physical Geology because you've got credit for everything. An 8 AM Econ class when you aren't a morning person does not count.
After Orientation:
- DO NOT CHANGE YOUR SCHEDULE!!! Some classes (ex: Chem Lab) are in such high demand that some of us are watching drop-add around the clock for an open section. If you drop it in hopes of adding one at a different time, you may never get it back.
- Don't give your parents your password (sorry parents). Every year we get a few calls because Mom or Dad has dropped Hokie's Math/Sociology/whatever class and now it's full. If your parents want to see your grades and records, and you're okay with that, fill out the FERPA release on Hokie Spa. Make the passcode something easy to remember, like their wedding anniversary or whatever.
- If you're going to get your textbooks from the On-Campus Bookstore/Volume Two or the Tech Bookstore, reserve them in advance. This will save you time at book rush. You can also compare prices on Half.com, Amazon, or where ever. If you do this, be sure you buy the correct edition of the book.
- You will have an additional information on the afternoon of Sunday, August 23rd. Attendance is mandatory, as topics relating to academic eligibility, the honor code, and other academic issues will be covered.
At Orientation, you'll be issued a Course of Study Planner and some post-it notes to use with it. Feel free to play around with it, looking at what's offered for Core Courses and free electives. Most majors have an Orientation course that you'll have to take in your first semester at Tech, and during these courses you'll have to create a four year plan, so this is a good way to get an idea of what's offered.
See you all at Orientation!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
A Note on Behavior
Everything in this entry should go without saying, but it still needs to be said.
When you’re in contact with someone from Virginia Tech, or anywhere really, whether it be through e-mail, on the phone, or in person at Orientation and after, be polite. Be polite almost to a fault.
Everyone at Tech has been working day and night to prepare for Orientation and the arrival of new students. This includes, but is not limited to, creating student files, documenting transfer and AP work, preparing schedules, and setting up presentations.
So take the time to read all the information we’ve provided for you, even if it seems obvious and you’ve heard it a zillion times before. Be patient, as there is a purpose to everything at Orientation.
When you’re meeting with advisors, keep in mind that this is what they do; they are experts. They know the requirements for your major inside and out. If the advisor tells you that you shouldn’t take more than 6 hours of psychology your first semester, listen. We understand that your AP and dual-enrollment was to get ahead, and you are ahead, but college is not high school.
We’ve created batch schedules to make it easier for you as well as us. With a pre-made schedule, you (as an incoming student) don’t have to sit around staring at drop-add waiting for MATH 1205 to open up; you’ve already been given a seat in that class. The schedule may not be ideal, but you’re freshmen, the lowest on the food chain.
You’re going to have early classes or labs. You may have a three-hour evening class that causes you to miss Gray’s Anatomy or American Idol or whatever. Cut your losses and watch the episodes on the channel’s website, it’s just a semester.
But please, do not give attitude to anyone you interact with. It causes you to be labeled as a pain in the you-know-where in the minds of the people who are supposed to help you, and that does not work in your favor with anything.
When you’re in contact with someone from Virginia Tech, or anywhere really, whether it be through e-mail, on the phone, or in person at Orientation and after, be polite. Be polite almost to a fault.
Everyone at Tech has been working day and night to prepare for Orientation and the arrival of new students. This includes, but is not limited to, creating student files, documenting transfer and AP work, preparing schedules, and setting up presentations.
So take the time to read all the information we’ve provided for you, even if it seems obvious and you’ve heard it a zillion times before. Be patient, as there is a purpose to everything at Orientation.
When you’re meeting with advisors, keep in mind that this is what they do; they are experts. They know the requirements for your major inside and out. If the advisor tells you that you shouldn’t take more than 6 hours of psychology your first semester, listen. We understand that your AP and dual-enrollment was to get ahead, and you are ahead, but college is not high school.
We’ve created batch schedules to make it easier for you as well as us. With a pre-made schedule, you (as an incoming student) don’t have to sit around staring at drop-add waiting for MATH 1205 to open up; you’ve already been given a seat in that class. The schedule may not be ideal, but you’re freshmen, the lowest on the food chain.
You’re going to have early classes or labs. You may have a three-hour evening class that causes you to miss Gray’s Anatomy or American Idol or whatever. Cut your losses and watch the episodes on the channel’s website, it’s just a semester.
But please, do not give attitude to anyone you interact with. It causes you to be labeled as a pain in the you-know-where in the minds of the people who are supposed to help you, and that does not work in your favor with anything.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
The Guide is on Twitter!
Hey all you Twitter fans! Post notifications will be posted on Twitter, as well as other news as the College of Science prepares for Summer Orientation. Our Twitter also provides links to other Tweeters, such as VT SGA, Hokie Camp, Orientation, and Virginia Tech news, so check us out!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Things to Know, Things to Do
I've got a list that all Future Hokies should have checked off very soon. I've also got a list of slightly less imminent, but no less important, items.
Many of these things require you to have access to HokieSpa, so if you haven't created a PID, redirect yourself immediately (if not sooner) to HokieSpa and follow the instructions for New Students on the main page.
Things That Should Be Done Right Away
1) Register for Orientation! What days you can attend are dependent upon your major, so sign up now! (There will be enough room, each department knows how many students are coming in).
2) Make a doctor's appointment. Some Colleges are putting holds on your registration until they receive your Health History and Immunization forms, so get yourself to your favorite family doctor. All the required forms are at the Schiffert Health Center website. Make sure you're scheduled to receive or finish any of these important vaccinations: Meningitis (1 dose), Tetanus (if you haven't received a shot in the last 8-10 years), and Hepatitis B. If your religion prescribes against vaccination, Schiffert has religious exemption forms. Also check the Tuberculosis Risk form to see if you need a TB skin test.
3) Commit your ID number to memory. Just about every form at VT, from quiz scantrons to Hokie Passport replacements to study abroad applications, requires your ID number. Start learning it now. It's one digit shorter than a phone number (with area code) and how many of those have you managed to memorize?
Things That Should Be Done in the Near Future
1) Find two recent photos (within the last year) of yourself, wallet size. School yearbook photos are good for this, or team composite shots or whatever. If you don't have any because every relative in existence has snatched up your pictures, find a camera and someone to take a picture of you and print it out in wallet size. Or go to one of those mall photo booths. Just get two wallet size photos of yourself. Then go ahead and write your name, major, and ID number on the back of the photos. One copy will be in your College file and the other will be in your department file, so be sure to bring these with you to Orientation.
2) Learn to do laundry. Your parents have been cleaning your clothes for the last 18 or so years, but they're not going to do it in college. Next time laundry is being done in your house, learn to do it. No one likes all their socks mysteriously turning pink or their favorite sweater shrinking to the size of a hand puppet.
3) If you don't have any idea how, learn to sew. Nothing serious, but it's good to know how to reattach a button or patch a hole.
4) Register for a dining plan on HokieSpa. Dining plan registration starts June 1, and as freshmen you'll have a choice of the Major Flex or the Mega Flex plans.
5) Request the following to be sent to VT: dual-enrollment transcripts (from the college!) and AP or IB scores from exams taken before senior year. To check that they've been received, go to the grades menu on HokieSpa and check either transfer credit or AP credit (AP shows up in both).
Shameless Self-Promotion Alert
Register for Hokie Camp! I'm going to be a counselor during session two, and at the moment, there are less than 40 campers signed up for that particular session, and about 200 combined for all sessions. The Hokie Camp staff recruited 150 counselors (50 per session) so we can provide the best experience to as many new freshmen as possible! So if you currently have nothing planned from August 10-17, go on and sign yourself up. We've got 3 incredibly exciting days planned for you, which include Camp Olympics, a ropes course, campfires, and skits.
Many of these things require you to have access to HokieSpa, so if you haven't created a PID, redirect yourself immediately (if not sooner) to HokieSpa and follow the instructions for New Students on the main page.
Things That Should Be Done Right Away
1) Register for Orientation! What days you can attend are dependent upon your major, so sign up now! (There will be enough room, each department knows how many students are coming in).
2) Make a doctor's appointment. Some Colleges are putting holds on your registration until they receive your Health History and Immunization forms, so get yourself to your favorite family doctor. All the required forms are at the Schiffert Health Center website. Make sure you're scheduled to receive or finish any of these important vaccinations: Meningitis (1 dose), Tetanus (if you haven't received a shot in the last 8-10 years), and Hepatitis B. If your religion prescribes against vaccination, Schiffert has religious exemption forms. Also check the Tuberculosis Risk form to see if you need a TB skin test.
3) Commit your ID number to memory. Just about every form at VT, from quiz scantrons to Hokie Passport replacements to study abroad applications, requires your ID number. Start learning it now. It's one digit shorter than a phone number (with area code) and how many of those have you managed to memorize?
Things That Should Be Done in the Near Future
1) Find two recent photos (within the last year) of yourself, wallet size. School yearbook photos are good for this, or team composite shots or whatever. If you don't have any because every relative in existence has snatched up your pictures, find a camera and someone to take a picture of you and print it out in wallet size. Or go to one of those mall photo booths. Just get two wallet size photos of yourself. Then go ahead and write your name, major, and ID number on the back of the photos. One copy will be in your College file and the other will be in your department file, so be sure to bring these with you to Orientation.
2) Learn to do laundry. Your parents have been cleaning your clothes for the last 18 or so years, but they're not going to do it in college. Next time laundry is being done in your house, learn to do it. No one likes all their socks mysteriously turning pink or their favorite sweater shrinking to the size of a hand puppet.
3) If you don't have any idea how, learn to sew. Nothing serious, but it's good to know how to reattach a button or patch a hole.
4) Register for a dining plan on HokieSpa. Dining plan registration starts June 1, and as freshmen you'll have a choice of the Major Flex or the Mega Flex plans.
5) Request the following to be sent to VT: dual-enrollment transcripts (from the college!) and AP or IB scores from exams taken before senior year. To check that they've been received, go to the grades menu on HokieSpa and check either transfer credit or AP credit (AP shows up in both).
Shameless Self-Promotion Alert
Register for Hokie Camp! I'm going to be a counselor during session two, and at the moment, there are less than 40 campers signed up for that particular session, and about 200 combined for all sessions. The Hokie Camp staff recruited 150 counselors (50 per session) so we can provide the best experience to as many new freshmen as possible! So if you currently have nothing planned from August 10-17, go on and sign yourself up. We've got 3 incredibly exciting days planned for you, which include Camp Olympics, a ropes course, campfires, and skits.
A Quick Note
Hey Future Hokies,
Just a quick FYI: If you're going to be in contact with anyone at VT between now and move-in, be sure to include your full name and student ID number in any communications (phone, e-mail, snail mail, carrier pigeon, etc). This makes it much easier for anyone in your college or admissions to pull up your file. If you don't remember what your ID number is, look at your acceptance letter. It's a nine-digit number that starts with "90".
Just a quick FYI: If you're going to be in contact with anyone at VT between now and move-in, be sure to include your full name and student ID number in any communications (phone, e-mail, snail mail, carrier pigeon, etc). This makes it much easier for anyone in your college or admissions to pull up your file. If you don't remember what your ID number is, look at your acceptance letter. It's a nine-digit number that starts with "90".
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Renewing the Guide
Hello new Hokies!
I started this guide last year to help new students transition into life at Virginia Tech. In it, you'll find information on how to prepare for Orientation, eating well and staying healthy, how to find academic help if you need it, and many other things (including the pressing question of how to obtain football tickets).
I'll be re-posting (and amending) the posts as they become relevant again. If you have any questions that I do not address in the blog, feel free to leave a comment or e-mail me at the address provided.
-- Beth
I started this guide last year to help new students transition into life at Virginia Tech. In it, you'll find information on how to prepare for Orientation, eating well and staying healthy, how to find academic help if you need it, and many other things (including the pressing question of how to obtain football tickets).
I'll be re-posting (and amending) the posts as they become relevant again. If you have any questions that I do not address in the blog, feel free to leave a comment or e-mail me at the address provided.
-- Beth
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