Hello, Portland State University!

Today I went to the orientation for transfer students entering PSU. It wasn't too terribly long and I did learn a couple of things. Most importantly, I was able to register for classes for the fall term.

It took me a little longer to get there than I thought it would. I barely had time to get off the MAX, buy some Indian food from a food cart, and then get to Hoffman Hall to sign in and get my pile of stuff. I sat down at a table just inside the main door and wolfed down my lunch (which made me sweat profusely, much to my embarassment) and went into the small auditorium for the intro spiels. We are glad you are hear, blah, blah, blah, and so forth. Then we split into smaller groups and we to the Smith Memorial Student Union  (room 238 for me). Then we listened to more stuff about the course list, registration guide, bulletin, etc. that they gave us.

I found out that, yes I do have to take some additional classes, but only 3 since I have over 90 credits already, and one of the choices I have is a class that I wanted to take anyway, so that's not all that bad. It's a little complicated, but basically you are supposed to choose a cluster of classes associated with a broad area of study like community studies; knowledge, rationality and understanding (that one sounded interesting); pop culture; leadership; women's studies, etc. I chose the Environmental Sustainability cluster and have a fixed list of classes that I have to pick from.

After that we split up into even smaller groups depending on our major. There were only 6 economics majors, so that was quick and easy. We asked the adviser questions, figured out what classes we wanted, wrote them on a worksheet from one of the handouts, and then went to the building next door (I think it was Neuberger Hall. This campus is nothing like PCC. It's really big) and registered for classes online.

I want to get the cluster classes taken care of sooner rather than later (and because it was still available - lots of the classes I wanted to take are now full for the fall term) so I registered for PHL 310U, which is Environmental Ethics. I'm also taking EC 311 (Microeconomic Theory) and EC 437 (Public Utility Economics). Each class is 4 credits. I did manage to get them all on the same days with only a 2-1/2 hour gap in the middle. Perfect for lunch, studying, reading, etc.

Tuesday & Thursday
10:00-11:50     EC 437
12:00-1:50       PHL 310U
4:40-6:30         EC311

I would kind of like to go more days per week and spread it around a little more, but I like the idea of only commuting twice a week.

I already found a good source for cheap used textbooks, but I still don't know who the instructor is going to be or what textbook is going to be used for EC 311. I hope they don't suck.

I'm excited and nervous to start going to PSU. Classes start the last week of September and last for 10 weeks.