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<li><p>Sections are more often mandatory than optional, but it depends on the course and department. Basically, it’s a chance to actually interact with the material in a group of 25 or fewer students and led by the TA. There are often low stress homework assignments specifically for sections, such as preparing a presentation on the reading or writing reflections. You should plan on attending, because you’ll probably have to anyway.</p></li>
<li><p>Most books are available at the campus bookstore, and some departments utilize the local bookstore, Literary Guillotine. Book lists for both stores are online. Yes, it’s usually cheaper online - but you’ll have to get readers on campus. You can get used copies if they’re available and you’re one of the first in line to purchase.</p></li>
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<p>UCSC bookstore: [The</a> Bay Tree Bookstore - Textbooks](<a href=“http://slugstore.ucsc.edu/ePOS?design=baytree&form=shared3/textbooks/main.html&store=721]The”>http://slugstore.ucsc.edu/ePOS?design=baytree&form=shared3/textbooks/main.html&store=721)
Literary Guillotine: [Books</a> for this quarter from The Literary Guillotine](<a href=“literaryguillotine.com”>literaryguillotine.com)</p>
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<li><p>Yes, you can get a meal plan if you live off campus. You can buy flexis, which I like to compare to Disney Dollars. 1 flexi = $1, but you can only use it at specific campus dining locations (all dining halls and coffee carts, Joe’s, some cafes). It’s nice because you don’t have to carry cash on you. If you want just dining halls, you can buy a block of meals. It looks like the site is down right now, but it’s definitely possible to buy just these plans. The dining halls really aren’t that bad, but if you live on campus and eat there every day it gets boring quickly. There are actually a LOT of options for campus dining. I like the Owl’s Nest at Kresge best.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes, you are paying for a metro bus pass with your student fees. However, the 17 express is not included. It’s actually an Amtrak bus that contracts with SC Metro for service. It’s $4 each way or I think $90 for a monthly pass.</p></li>
<li><p>I just did the opposite, living in Santa Cruz and commuting to SJ every day for a 6 month internship. I was not happy to drive, so I took the bus for a month. It got really old, really fast, and I switched to driving. 1.5+ hour bus ride each way vs 35 minute drive each way. And $8 bus fare each day vs $30 in gas per week, made that decision easy.</p></li>
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<p>Campus parking is expensive, but you can park places in town and take the bus to campus. Or carpool.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>