First Week Back At Tech So Far PT. 1

So, a new school year begins, bringing more tests, unexpected (although by now they should be expected) failing grades, more freshman guys and girls, with an emphasis on more guys. I've noticed several things so far being back at Tech and not being a freshman: 1.) I have an apartment now, which makes me realize that my dorm last year was probably less luxurious than a Vietnamese Prison Cell, 2.) Freshman this year seem more nerdy than we were, which is amplified by the fact that most of them participate in the early year GT Housing-sponsored parties, socials, and other excuses to make socially-atrophied Tech freshman "get out there and meet people!" because "open doors make great floors" even when the majority of freshman are out of their rooms either at class, the library, or partying/rushing along Frat Row. 3.) Why the hell is traffic so bad this year compared to last? If there was construction going on it'd be only slightly less unreasonable, but I've yet to see any which leads me to my fourth observation 4.) Freshman are incredibly dumb this year. As much as I hate-love to rag on specific groups of people, the freshman, so far, deserve this. I have a question, why can't you freshman use a crosswalk? I've seen more freshman cross the street at non-crosswalk areas than the entire population of Tech using crosswalk areas. Freshman, stop it, NOW, not only are you holding up traffic but you are in fact making it worse for yourselves in terms of our opinions on your intelligence and legitimacy as human beings. 5.) Another complaint against the freshman this year is they need to learn where stuff is around campus and how the bus system works. While I myself was a freshman last year, I at least took the time to familiarize myself with the campus before going to class, mainly because I wanted to make it there on time, not look like an idiot, and generally meet people other than by asking for directions to the Student Center. I've seen countless freshman flag a bus down like a taxi cab, run after the bus, fail to see the large group of sane, intelligent people waiting at a bus stop (who's ever heard of that? I though most public transportation systems personally catered to everyone's needs and location, much like a Thai Masseuse). Also, these freshman get on the bus and ask "Is this the (insert colored route here) that goes to (insert desired destination here)?" Which the bus driver 9 times out of 10 replies "No" which therein the Freshman replies with "Well when is the (insert colored route again) going to be here?" which results in a confusing lecture, mostly on the freshman's side. This nuisance has already made me late to one class because it took 10 minutes for the kid to understand that the bus driver A.) Doesn't know what time which bus is coming next and B.) doesn't care about where you're going nor wishes to give you directions because you're an adult know and expected to have already figured that out before you use the system. So far I am pretty sure that my freshman annoyances will increase in severity as the years go on, but I'm still fairly enraged. I've still yet to understand how Tech manages to find the dumbest smart people on the planet and concentrate them into a few square miles of campus. As for now, I'm going to try and make it to class without telling some freshman that he or she is a failtacular of common sense. Till then, fellow Jackets...

- J.D.