5 Things to Avoid at University of Utah

The University of Utah is a wonderful school. It is a great place to learn about the world, and about yourself. Yet, there are a few things to be avoided while at The U. The majority are just inconveniences that can be avoided by a little foresight. The following list will help you navigate some of the few difficult or strenuous events you might encounter at The U.

1.) Parking

If you are going to park on campus, be ready for a nightmare. Buying a pass doesn’t ensure you will find a spot near your class, or even a spot at all. The parking permit system has multiple tiers. If you are set on parking, look into getting an ‘I’ pass instead of the lowest-level ‘E’.

This will help make sure you don’t have to park a mile away and be late for that important final exam. Better yet, use your Trax pass and jump on a bus or train up to campus. That way you will always be on time, plus have a little more time to study before class.

2.) Signing up for classes late

Don’t forget to sign up for classes. Well before registration, figure out the first day you can enroll in classes and mark it down. Many core classes like biology, chemistry, and math fill up very fast. If you don’t sign up quickly you will probably still get into the class, but get stuck with an early morning or late night class.

A schedule that is tailored to your lifestyle will make your daily life much more enjoyable. For example, a popular schedule of boarders and skiers is to take classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday so you have two weekdays free to ride.

3.) Forgetting to pay tuition

Every semester the all-important deadline to pay tuition arrives. Many people forget to pay and end up stuck in a massive line at the registrar to ensure they don’t have their classes dropped. The first and best option to avoid this is to pay your tuition as soon as possible. If by chance you are forgetful and remember on the last day, opt out of the lines and pay online.

You can pay online using multiple methods and only have to pay a small processing fee. That way you avoid standing in line forever and can pay from the comfort of your couch.

If you’re interested in the University of Utah, check out our article on Nightlife Activities for Students.

4.) Bad weather

Bad weather is unavoidable, but there is no need to risk your health or that of your vehicles by driving in it. With the amazing skiing Salt Lake has comes winter’s heavy snow. The U is elevated above downtown Salt Lake City and is nestled next to the foothills. This means that harsh weather in town is often worse by the time you arrive on campus.

Combine this with the parking problem and driving around campus can become very difficult. With steep hills, pedestrians, untrained winter drivers, and heavy snow, The U can become quite dangerous. Avoid these situations at all costs. Again, public transit is your friend; use your free commuter pass to save yourself from a collision or from getting stuck. Otherwise, I hope you have 4-wheel drive during the winter months.

5.) The Bookstore

Unless you have to, don’t throw all your money away at the bookstore. If you want the newest sports apparel or need a notebook, that is fine. But when it comes to getting your textbooks for the semester try and find them on Amazon or an online book shop first. You may even be able to find some at local bookstores around Salt Lake City.

The campus bookstore puts a premium price on textbooks and at the end of the semester buys them back for a fraction of what you paid. If you don’t plan on keeping your textbook after the semester is over, sell it online. By going online you can save money at the beginning of the semester, then make some extra cash when classes end. You will get a much better deal with minimal effort.

Resford Rouzer went to the University of Utah for both his undergraduate and masters degrees. He holds bachelor’s degrees in Anthropology and Environmental Studies, as well as a master’s degree in Environmental Humanities.