Welcome, everyone, to the spring semester of 2003. The below freezing temps last weekend had me searching for that thermal long underwear, heavy parka and gloves I was hoping I wouldn’t need this season, given the mild weather so far. I’ve grown up in Iowa, but that doesn’t mean I look forward to sub-zero temps, bitter winds, snow and scraping my windshield off after a storm. In fact, I absolutely despise it. That’s why I’m heading south once I’m done here.

I’m shivering, jumping up and down, blowing on my hands — not because I couldn’t find those gloves and parka — but because I’m excited. I’m excited about this semester and confident that good things will happen. I’m also feeling more prepared — not completely — but more so than my first semester as a graduate student which was last year at this time. I walked into my first graduate class almost totally unprepared. I was working against two major disadvantages: I didn’t do my undergraduate work here, and was not aware of any new student orientation to navigate my way around campus. My family will tell you that I do almost everything the hard way. Fortunately, my classmates, professors and department secretaries were extremely helpful.

In fact, I have found almost everyone I’ve been in contact with — librarians, professors, faculty members — to be very helpful in accommodating my new student needs and questions. Considering all 300,000 details that need attention, it’s amazing that students aren’t exhausted and broke at the beginning of the semester. The first challenge is knowing your way around campus. Every now and then, I still consult a map, but the phrase “Where’s that?” doesn’t come out of my mouth daily like it used to

Then there’s the library. Oh my. The employees in the reference section are absolute angels. One of them kindly informed me about the required library course for undergraduates just to learn the system. I appreciated the attempt at comforting me when I was so obviously lost.

Let’s not forget about obtaining the magic university I.D. card which is required, of course, to check out anything at the library. I was told to go to Beardshear. Where’s Beardshear Hall? Wait. Beardshear was still undergoing massive renovation. Oh. Sorry. They’re temporarily running operations at the Union. Where in the Union?

University health services will not be overlooked either. They need proof that my shots are up to date. Where are my immunization records? The search was long, intense and ugly, but in the end my mom located them. Thanks Mom.

Currently, I still don’t know where the student health center is.

Without a solid understanding of parking rules and regulations, the parking Gestapo — I mean the Department of Public Safety — will suck a bank account dry.

The registration process is sometimes enough to send the most dutiful, strategic planner screaming in the opposite direction. Due to my unique circumstances, it was quite an ordeal, but again, I was given plenty of help and guidance by patient faculty.

During my first week last year at this time, an international student anxiously approached me on campus and asked in broken English where building XYZ was located. I was just as lost and could only shrug. I can’t begin to imagine how difficult some new international students, still struggling with the language, must find this system to be. It reminded me of two things: I’m not alone and I have an obligation to be as helpful and patient with the next “new kid on the block” who is going through the same process.

For some, the finish line is in sight. For others including myself this race has just begun. Now a returning graduate student in the English department, I’m excited to continue studying here.

Despite constant tuition increases, and perhaps heated moments at the financial aid office, we are lucky to study here. Despite inevitable registration woes and less than ideal roommates and/or living accommodations, we are lucky to study here. Despite professors who seem to test our patience and impossibly difficult exams, we are lucky to study here. Despite juggling three jobs, a full load of classes and a family, we are lucky to study here.

Being a student is the easy part. We’re somewhat sheltered from the real world. Do whatever it takes to cherish this time now.

By the way, would anyone mind if I “unobtrusively” tagged along during the next campus tour?

Leslie Heuer is a graduate student in English from Des Moines.