As I reflect upon my 5-1/2 cruel and unusual undergraduate years at MSU, I deliberate about the issue of getting to and from class.

It can be the most frustrating and tiresome of times or the most rewarding of times. You've got to trek through all that snow in the wintertime, but at the end of that journey, you have knowledge. Important knowledge? Well, just get that diploma after many arguments with your counselor.

If I remember correctly, freshmen brains are filled with an incalculable amount of questions about venturing to class: To bike? To skateboard? To Rollerblade? To longboard? Where's Wells Hall? Can the Capital Area Transportation Authority, or CATA, bus just take me home to mom and dad?

Personally, I tried to avoid as many stressful questions as possible and wasn't the most "prepared" freshman. During the first semester of my freshman year, I didn't walk to my classes before they started to know the building or route; I didn't check the bus schedule or read the mountain of pamphlets.

I went with the flow — Good idea? Bad idea?

Probably a bad idea, but through my mistakes, I was able to come up with a road map for successful class attendance.

First of all, I've never been bullheaded about making it to every class. If the professor allows a couple absences, then use them. Use this time to enjoy an extra-long lunch in the cafeteria or perhaps catch upon some good old fashioned reading.

Don't stress yourself out, but do go to class regularly. You have to remember that college is not only about the knowledge you're getting from professors, but also wisdom from new friends, bums, cafeteria workers, coffee shop employees and maybe even a couple of fraternity brothers here and there.

But what about the actual physical task of making it to class? When you pull out your campus map, don't just think about the best path — think about the smartest path. In addition to sidewalks, look into buildings you can cut through to arrive at your educational destination.

It may be nice outside now, but Michigan's weather pattern is more unpredictable than the plot of a David Lynch film — sunny now, but you may be caught in a twisting inferno of hail at any moment.

To catch some relief from the frightful weather, cut through other buildings. This will also give you time to take a bathroom break or pick up a newspaper.

Also, instead of always walking on the pavement use the grass. As someone who occasionally suffers from heel spurs, it is a lot easier on your feet to walk on the grass.

I may sound like an old man, but I'm looking out for you. If your feet hurt, you're not going to want to venture out, thus causing you to miss more classes. You're already missing out on your allotted amount of excused absences, so try not to use injuries as another excuse.

Plus, when you're off the beaten path you may discover some shortcuts or aesthetically pleasing spots. Let MSU's campus serve as eye candy to nomadic freshmen.

Now for some cautionary advice. During the first couple weeks, there are going to be a ton of lost freshmen on all kinds of devices with wheels. Many of these freshmen may not be totally proficient on these devices or could be out of practice.

One early and headache-ridden morning during my first semester, I was walking to an introductory philosophy class in Bessey Hall. As I was trudging down a little hill by the tennis courts, I heard screaming from behind me.

I looked back and saw a girl on her bike. She was out of control and quickly zigzagging down the hill. I tried to avoid her, but she nailed me. My elbow got the worst of it — that's where her bike first made contact with my body. We both went flying.

Before I go any farther, let me tell you this is not a happy story. The girl and I never became friends. We weren't even that polite to each other, while dusting ourselves off and assessing cuts and bruises. It happened to me. Don't let it happen to you.

The lesson to be learned is to keep your head ready to swivel during those first couple weeks. You can't have your head buried in some campus guide or else some cocky skateboarder, flashy longboarder or nitwit biker will bring the pain.

Maybe rent or buy some old highlight footage of former Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders as a glimpse into the art of avoiding would-be tacklers. Basically, study your campus map before going out and pay attention to your immediate environment on the path to intelligence.

Ryan McCormick is a State News entertainment reporter. Reach him at mccorm87@msu.edu.