When I was accepted into Umass Boston on a 0.3 GPA and my third genie wish, I was pretty nervous. Starting college is a big deal. I had to get used to a lot of changes when I moved here from Cowboy Boots, Tennessee: a new city, new classes, and new social standards. Apparently it’s not “normal” here to bring your horse around with you or have deep-fried butter on the side of every meal. Whatever. Anyways, I like to write about all the new things I’m learning as I begin college. So I asked my fellow freshman to submit questions or comments about their freshman experience.

This week, Tall Girl Blond Hair Glasses asks: “I’ve been struggling to get to my classes on time in the morning. Do you have any tips for me?”

To answer her: No. But her question does remind me of something that’s been on my mind…

The first week of college, all of us freshmen were issued an ID card and told to take it everywhere we go. Along with your phone, wallet, crippling fear of failure, and keys, your student ID has quickly become one of the essential things to carry with you at all times. As you leave for classes in the morning, you must now check your pocket for your ID card, in addition to slapping both sides of your butt to ensure that you have your phone and wallet. If you observe freshman around campus you will see that everyone prefers to carry their ID in a different way: the type-A kids, who all had a college reading level in kindergarten, will be seen carrying it in their wallet; “cool kids” who don’t know what a vacuum cleaner is will tie their ID to their belt loop; and for a “chic” uber-nerd look—mine—consider wearing it on a lanyard around your neck at all times.

It’s always a learning curve to remember yet another thing in our daily lives, but for some, the learning curve of carrying your ID was steeper than it was for others. For example, here’s a situation that I recently found myself in… because nothing says “Ha! That’s stupid! I guess I should avoid doing that at all costs!” like an embarrassing personal anecdote…

So there I was, hanging out in my room on the first night of living in the dorms. I managed to make it to 2 a.m. on a soap opera binge before I decided it was time to get ready and go to bed. I packed my toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, lotion… everything I thought I may need, and left for the bathroom. After a relaxing bedtime routine I returned to my dorm to find that, of course, I was locked out. I had forgotten my ID. The 2:30 a.m. elevator ride down to the first floor would have been more dignified if I wasn’t barefooted in two-sizes-too-big-pajamas, but, c’est la vie. I tried asking the security guard for help. The guard called an RA, and 10 minutes later I was back to safety in my dorm.

Now, what can we learn from my mistake? Two things: One, always remember your ID card when you go to the bathroom at 2 a.m., and two, it will always be less embarrassing to ask the security guard for help than it will be to climb up the side of your building and attempt to re-enter your room through a window (no matter how late it is and regardless of the state of your pajamas).

Thanks for the question Tall Girl Blond Hair Glasses, I hope I’ve helped.