Feeling the sun's scorching rays nearly burning a hole into the top of your head, sweat annoyingly dripping down your brow, lip and back. As your blistered Birkenstock-clad feet beg for relief, you ponder taking the class that adds another five pounds to your already painstaking load.
These undesirable, tiresome feelings occur on a daily basis in the life of a college student -- the life of a pedestrian.
University students walk when running late, when longing for the next meal and when engaging in social activities. As a result, many students spend some of their precious collegiate time mulling over ways to travel efficiently, while exerting the least amount of effort.
In that respect, decisions must be made. What is the fastest and most direct route? Is it worth carrying the extra books to avoid a trip home?What pace is appropriate -- purposeful, lethargic or perhaps like a bat out of hell if streaking the Lawn?
In choosing a route across Grounds, most will include the use of the Corner and/or McCormick Rd.
Although there aren't many alternate options, there are a few time-reducing circuits.
By crossing the railroad tracks near 15th Street and cutting through the parking lots, you can shave approximately five seconds off the walk from the intersection of 14th and Wertland Street to the end of the Corner near the Bank of America.
Note, however, the increased risks associated with crossing train tracks and walking in an isolated area.
Also, for a mere five second reduction, the opportunity for a Starbucks caffeine boost slips by.
From Newcomb Hall to Observatory Hill, shave an approximate 45 seconds by crossing the footbridge by Ruffner Hall. Follow the path through Old Dorms rather than traveling down McCormick Road.
Also, note the convenience of cutting through the fourth floor of Clemons when going from Alderman to Newcomb Hall and the use of the steps in Brown College when going from the McIntire School of Commerce area to the footbridge by Ruffner Hall.
For residents of Hereford and Gooch-Dillard, it's an approximate 19 minutes and 30 seconds to reach Central Grounds.
Second-year Engineering student Tyrus Berry, a resident of Hereford who chose to live there, admitted that the long walk has changed his routine after the first week of classes.
"At first I tried to not let it bother me and go back and forth three or four times a day," Berry said. "Now I try to go back and forth only two times."
Traveling efficiency, however, depends on both distance and pace.
For example, it is an approximate two minute and 25 second walk from the Rotunda to the Homer Statue in front of Old Cabell.
While appropriate for walking to class, this same pace would mean two minutes and 25 seconds of hell for all streakers simply trying to enact a University tradition.
Second-year College student Kelly Stock agreed that pace matters.
"My first year roommate and I both had 9 a.m. classes in Cabell," Stock said. "And despite leaving about 10 minutes earlier than her and catching a bus at Chem, she would always catch up with us by Minor."
Additionally, pace can be impeded by factors out of your control such as the 13,000 students traversing McCormick Road during rush hour, the cars that do not yield for a crosswalk and getting caught at a traffic light.
Pace, however, is sparked by motivation, and many students are highly motivated for social activities.
Walking enables full participation in nightly activities, normally hindered by driving concerns.
That crucially important hike from a party to Little John's during the wee hours of the night to satiate that gnawing hunger pain becomes a measly, and fully manageable, hop, skip and a jump away.
First-year College student Bill McGrath said walking from his dorm, Courtney, the farthest new dorm, relaxes him."It's a bit of a longer walk out to Rugby Road," McGrath said."We use old dorms as a stopping point and a break."
For better or worse, walking inextricably is intertwined with students' daily routine.Although there are many drawbacks in having to walk, remember the pluses: Fresh air to clean out those smoke-filled lungs after last Friday's fraternity party, the aesthetically pleasing view of your fellow peers and a free workout for anyone who missed their daily dose of the AFC -- or perhaps forgot the AFC even existed.
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