The UA does a pretty bad job of advertising all the cool stuff they actually offer. How many of you knew all Adobe and Word Suites are completely free? These programs typically cost hundreds of dollars a year, but being a student at the UA means we don’t pay a dime.
Don’t tell your professors, but many of your books are available at the library. Once again, you don’t have to pay another dime. It’s always worth checking the library out before you make the dreaded walk to the bookstore. We all know that feeling when we pull our wallets out to buy yet another stupid, overpriced textbook. Don’t do it anymore! Go to the freaking library.
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Speaking of the library, they offer the option to check out a computer, tablets, cord and chargers, cameras, and even calculators for up to three days. The sad reality is that not everyone can afford a Macbook or a PC for school work. It is an underutilized resource, in my opinion. Just another reminder that your tuition money really is going somewhere, and not a deep dark hole into the abyss. So please, don’t feel like you have to spend the entire night in the library because you don’t have a computer at home. Check one out and make things easier for yourself.
If you’re into art or history, why haven’t you gone to one of the museums on campus? Once again, you get in FREE! I’m well aware of the fact there is little to do in Tucson. When you’re a broke college student, there aren’t many options. The Arizona State Museum, the UA Museum of Art, the Center for Creative Photography and the History of Pharmacy Museum are all free admission when you are a student. If you have nothing better to do on a Tuesday morning, you should go check one of them out.
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And lastly, departments always hold events with free food and valuable information. Why people pass up the opportunity to learn from people in their field AND get free food is beyond me. It is another grossly underused function of our institution. One of these free events might actually be what gets you a job. Plus, there is free food.
These are just a few of the “hidden” treasures this institution offers. I am sure there is more I am missing, but nevertheless, these are the common ones that people tend to miss.
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