How the heck do I park on campus?

In picture: DUC (at left), Parking Garages (at right).

In addition to offering undergraduates and graduates a wide variety of degree programs, WKU prides itself on maintaining the great American tradition that so many historical campuses have played a pivotal role in: not so awesome parking.

Most of you will be familiar with the situation of campus parking, generally speaking, so I assume you're really looking for information on parking permits and lots. Graduate students need to get commuter passes (Yellow, if you're looking on the color-coded map).

• You can find all the information you need at the WKU Parking & Transportation website, plus you can order your parking pass online.

• For a map of which parking lots you can use, click here.

Luckily, WKU has recently been investing in expanding parking, including a new parking garage near DUC.

For hopping around campus to run errands (such as getting your new ID, returning books) there are several short-term parking areas. These are metered spots that will allow you to park for up to 30 minutes. Assuming you've got some coins in the car, these can be much more convenient than parking in distant lots and walking around the hill.

Big Investments: Book buying

In all seriousness, buying your textbooks each semester does not have to be such a heartbreaking event. There are, of course, the same options you probably had at your undergraduate university.

• Buy 'em at [Insert Name of Local Bookstore]. If it's what you want, you can certainly go this route. We have several local bookstores that specialize in textbook sales, used and new. The official WKU bookstore is located in DUC (Downing University Center), about half way down the hill from Cherry. There are also three other textbook stores, one of which is about a two-minute walk from the WKU bookstore.
  

• Buy 'em online. As you've probably discovered, buying used books online can sometimes be the most cost efficient route. The con is that you have to order them in advanced and can't run by the store to pick them up. If you're new to online textbook purchasing, here are some sites you might consider trying:
  
• Amazon.com
• Half.com
• Bookthief.com

If you want to go ahead and check out the reading list for a class you're taking next semester, you can do so online:

1. Go to http://www.bookstore.wku.edu/ and choose the semester and course number of the class.
   
2. Once you get the list of books, copy/paste the ISBN number into whichever site you're shopping with. This will ensure that you get the correct edition, as opposed to using the title or author only.

Night Life...

(Note: Not actual image from Bowling Green, or any place remotely accessible.)

As a graduate student, I really haven't placed a priority on my social life. Since you've taken the initiative to embark on post-baccalaureate education, I can guess that bar hopping isn't too high on your list of interests. These things notwithstanding, taking a break from studying, reading, writing, and reading some more can be a necessity. Bowling Green offers a variety of bars most of whom cater to a collegiate crowd. This basically means that on any given night you may find one or two of them offering some sort of "All You Can Drink" special. If you enjoy loud music, mostly belligerent people, and a crowded, smoky room, than these are the nights you should venture out into. Personally, I tend to seek respite from school in other environments.

While Bowling Green is not a mecca of art and culture, we do have fantastic opportunities to watch and/or listen to various talented people in the community, including Western. Our department of theatre and dance works hard throughout both semesters and usually puts on at least two or three shows per semester. We also have the Public Theatre of Kentucky whose company is small, but productions are usually pretty great. Also, the theaters in Nashville provide larger productions with discounted tickets for students.

As you settle into your new home in Bowling Green, you may notice many people discussing Nashville. Nashville is only 45 minutes to an hour away from Western and offers a slew of things to do. The city's selection of bars, dance clubs, restaurants, shopping, art, culture, and music is tempting, accessible, and a relief to those who may feel B.G. is too small. Vanderbilt University, located on the West Side, is a great place to see even more drama, dance, and art. If you like malls, Nashville has four ranging from typical to high-end. Most of the 'fancier' chain restaurants like P.F. Chang's, Ruth's Chris, J. Alexanders, Cheesecake Factory, and Olive Garden are located in Nashville. It's a great city that's relatively safe, affordable, and accessible.

Finally, finding things to do in B.G. is made a lot easier when you're a G.A.. We tend to flock together periodically for dinner and conversation, which makes it easier to cope with homesickness, boredom, or fuzzy eyes (from reading so much). Again, if you're looking for something else that we haven't discussed on here, let us know!