Five things to do before the first day of school

DON'T WASTE MONEY
1 Compare textbook prices online, at the University Bookstore and the College Bookstore Alternative and other retailers to make sure you get the best value for the least amount of money.

KNOW THE CAMPUS
2 Find your classrooms before the first day of school. Know exactly which building they are in, especially if you haven't had a class in that building before. Older UTEP buildings can be tricky, so looking up your classes beforehand can save you from walking in on the wrong class or being late on the first day because you got lost.

SAVE SOME TIME
3 There's a lot of construction happening around campus. Plan your route to school before the first day so you don't get caught on a one-way street or in unnecessary traffic.

CHECK YOUR STATUS
4    Check Goldmine regularly in the days leading up to the first day of class for changes in your Financial Aid or registration status. It's not often that mistakes happen out of the blue, but showing up to a class that you've been dropped from because the university didn't receive payment isn't a fun experience. Avoid the lines and the hassle and just keep an eye on what's happening with your accounts.

AVOID A TICKET
5 Be familiar with the parking lot you bought a permit for and the various routes to get there. Most students complain about getting tickets in the first week of school because they didn't know they parked in the wrong parking lot. Avoid the Parking and Transportation Office hassle by knowing exactly where your car belongs.