How to Survive LAU Byblos

Note: make sure to add the following guide to your syllabus collection.

1. Making your way among upper-gaters at lunchtime can be awkward. This is why you’re highly advised to drop by the kiosks either before or after lunch, unless you particularly like to wait ten extra minutes for your food and maybe gain some upper gate swag.

2. Learn to embrace the compelling aesthetics of the Attic, half of your exams will take place up there anyway.

3. You may indulge on designer bags and flamboyant sneakers as much as you want but please, for the love of the Lord and all heavenly creatures, do not pick up the outrageous habit of wearing Juicy Couture sweatsuits to uni. The latter trend, perpetuated by LAU girls for years now, needs to end already.

4. Looking for a calm place to study? Head to the Health Sciences library. You might have to walk a few extra miles, but it’s always quieter than the Byblos Library. Even better? An empty class always does the trick (that’s if you’re lucky enough to find one).

5. Take as many Psychology courses as you can. The classes and faculty are simply AWESOME (huge shoutout to all).

6. And if you ever need a 1-credit free elective, sign up for the Business Etiquette and Protocol course. You’ll learn a whole bunch of useful social, professional and practical skills. Oh and you get to organize a real-life event/dinner with your classmates as your final exam (you also get to dress up and all).

7. Never come to uni without an umbrella when you have classes in Frem or Dorm A during the winter.

8. Take advantage of the library, the book collection is absolutely tremendous, not to mention the equally compelling DVD selection (yes, they have series too, you know what to do when you’ve got plenty of time to kill).

9. Be careful what you do when you’re standing at the med school terrace. We see you.

10. Always plan your schedule ahead of time and make a list of potential alternatives in case any of the classes you want to take happens to be full (which is very likely to happen if you’re a freshman/sophomore). This will save you an awful lot of time and confusion during registration.

11. Attend the career/internship fairs and presentations. They’re a great opportunity for you to grow your professional network and meet potential employers.

12. Join MUN, even if it’s only for a year. It’s always good to hang around young diplomats on weekends.

13. High heels are a definite no. You’re in sneaker-land, baby.

14. Pray that it doesn’t rain on election day, the road will be closed and you wouldn’t want to get mercilessly swayed by the winds and end up fully drenched by the time you’ve reached lower gate.