Campus tips and tricks to help you get ahead

By Brian Babcock
Staff Writer

As the fall semester begins, so does the stress of an academic workload paired with other responsibilities—like a full or part-time job, kids at home or a tight budget.

We compiled both popular and little-known WCC-specific tricks and resources to help you work smart, not hard, this semester.

Free software for students

For those who want more powerful applications on their personal computers, the Microsoft Office 365 package is available for students to download for free using their WCC email. The package includes Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook and OneNote. A retail subscription is normally priced at $70 per year. Visit WCC’s Information Technology Services department for assistance with installing and using the system.

Keep your energy up at a low cost

The Spot offers $1 coffee refills when patrons bring in a reusable coffee mug or cup. There is also another coffee machine on the parking garage side of the LA building, located on the first floor just under the bridge. This particular machine is convenient because it is easy to access from the parking garage and Clark Road parking lot. This machine provides surprisingly good coffee for the affordable price of $1 and has everything ranging from lattes to regular coffee to mochas.

Need a lift?

WCC offers free rides from the college on the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority bus line. Students will need their WCC photo ID to swipe when boarding one of the three bus stops located on campus. Bus routes with stops at WCC include routes 3 and 24. Bus schedules for these routes can be found at theride.org.

Get it write

For a comfortable and friendly place to study, have written works crititiqued, eat lunch or meet with friends, look to the Writing Center.

“We’ll look at any kind of writing that a student, faculty or staff needs help with; these include assignments for classes, cover letters, resumes,” said Zach Baker, a secretary at the Writing Center. “We encourage people to bring creative pieces in.”

There is more to the Writing Center than just its writing support services, Baker said.

“We also have other resources; one being our space—we have a really beautiful space on campus where students can come and study, hang out, do group projects, they can eat in here,” he said. “Attached to the Writing Center is also a computer lab. As long as there’s not a class going on, students are welcome to use that as well.”

Space to collaborate

Students looking to work on group projects or hold study sessions with peers can use one of the group study rooms in the Bailey Library. Rooms can be checked out for two hours at a time and sessions may be extended based on room availability. There is also space available for students who wish to study by themselves.

“A lot of students need individual study space, and we have an individual study space you can check out for an hour,” said Kennedy. “If you need a quiet study space for yourself or if you’re doing a Skype interview, meeting with a class [online] or recording something, we have that room available.”

Text, tech and more

Students can borrow class textbooks, laptops, headphones and calculators for free at the Richard W. Bailey Library using their student ID. It is important to note that these items are only available for use in the library and can only be checked out for two hours at a time, but checkout periods can be renewed depending on availability.

The resources available inside the library are just the beginning, though, according to Bethany Kennedy, library director.

“The majority of our resources are online and available 24/7,” said Kennedy. “So even if you are working on something and it is 1 a.m., you can still go online and access e-books, databases, and Kanopy, a streaming video service with documentaries and full-length feature films.”

Take a break in nature

Fall will soon be upon the WCC campus, bringing out beautiful colors, falling leaves and cooler days. Students can take a break from the stress of school and enjoy some fresh air with a hike through the WCC nature trail. The trailhead begins on the Clark Road side of the GM building next to the parking lot and pond. This two mile hiking path winds around small ponds and deciduous and coniferous forests. Wildlife is abundant, so expect to see birds, squirrels and even deer.

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