How to Survive a Co Op Session in Indianapolis

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Get Through the Day: Getting through the day is the crucial step to surviving your coop session here in Indianapolis.

   Days are boring.
   
   You will be given some interesting tasks, but on the whole, we all know you are here for the money.
   
   Many tasks you will be given will be long, drawn out, boring, and seemingly useless, you have to get through these.
   
   Updating hundreds of part routings because someone in upper management decides to use "Ref:" instead of "Per" will be monotonous to say the least, but if it is on your PDR, you had better get it done (See PDR below).
2. 2

   Step 2: Now that you know you have to get through the day

   Bring snacks to work:
   Snacks keep your blood-sugar up, and providing they are healthy, will not affect your diet very much.
   
   Good snacks include raisins, peanuts, pretzels, trail mix, chex mix, fruits & veggies.
   
   Also be sure to offer whatever you are munching on to coworkers, as it will increase their respect for you, and they will share their snacks in return.
   
   Be sure to accompany your snacks with frequent trips to the watercooler.
   
   This gives you a nice short break, and allows you to stretch your legs, plus, it allows for frequent trips to the bathroom as well.
   
   Finally, visit other coops often, as they can sympathize with you, and are generally decent to chat with.
   
   Ohh, and did I mention the internet? , Co-Op's love to go out to lunch with each other everyday, but planning can be cumbersome at best.
   
   It is best for a leader to make a decision, and then everyone can go, or not.
   
   For the health nuts, you can still pack a lunch, and just go along for the break from lunch and the company, two great things. , First, you get to go out and get hammered (see below) when you get off of work, that is a huge plus.
   
   Second, you are more likely to get better ratings from your boss, which translates to more money when you graduate.
   
   Third, as much as I hate to admit it, it does make the day fly by if you keep busy with work.
   
   Finally, it will remove any possible feeling of guilt that might crop up later if you just mess around the whole time. , It helps to give each day of the week a name, and some suggested ones are listed below in tips.
   
   Naming each day gives you something to look forward to, and helps with motivation.
   
   Also, it makes planning easier, as who is going to forget a day like Wasted Wednesday? , The more butt-sitting you do then, the more you will be willing to do later at night, which might end all hope of a good night.
   
   Try cooking a dinner for everyone, or playing a sport.
   
   Soccer is always fun, and friends will kick balls into your back really hard.
   
   Or you can try basketball, and you might sprain your ankle and be forced to hang out with cool people for another day.
   
   Or, play the official Co-op Sport:
   Footy! Aussie Footy! Amazing to say the least.
   
   Or, you can just go home and work out every day, see tips below. , If you have a large group, trying to organize where you are going at 10pm on a Tuesday when you all have to be up at 6am the next day is not fun, and easily leads to bitter arguments and name-calling.
   
   Have some people act as leaders, and during work that day, send out some feeler emails stating where you are going, and inviting others to come along. "Group-Think" should ensure that everyone will go along with your plans, as long as they are varied from night to night. , Bars/Night clubs are generally boring for the first few hours of the night, especially if you get there at 8pm when they open.
   
   If the place is closer, you can afford staying out a bit later, and have cheaper cab rides, or even better, talk someone into being a designated driver (DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE! YOU MIGHT SPILL YOUR BEER! ). , Drinking at a bar is fun, and it is easy to get carried away, making for a long, horribly boring, and even painful day at work the next day.
   
   Planning ahead will help keep you in check, and makes going to the bar every night easier on your budget as well.
   
   If you are planning on getting tanked, be sure to drink plenty ahead of time, as $10 will get you loaded at home, but will only buy a few beers at the bar. , It is fun to go to 80's night here and there, but every night and it is going to start dragging.
   
   Mix it up, try an Irish Pub, or some yuppie place downtown.
   
   This also gives you a better variety of the opposite sex should you be inclined to meet new people. , Wheelhouse is really good, and they play in a few different locations, giving you new experiences, and putting long term dates on your calendar, helping the days go by faster.
   
   This also helps you from hating this mediocre "city" (closer to a town!).
   
   Also, local bands attract the younger crowd, something that is at times illusive here, as there is no large college here.
3. 3

   Step 3: here are some ways to keep your day moving.

4. 4

   Step 4: Another thing to keep in mind

5. 5

   Step 5: Lunch!

6. 6

   Step 6: To keep you motivated on your work (when the money just isn't enough anymore)

7. 7

   Step 7: here are a few things to keep in mind.

8. 8

   Step 8: Alright

9. 9

   Step 9: now that you are through the day

10. 10

    Step 10: get ready for some wild nights!

11. 11

    Step 11: Now that you are home from work

12. 12

    Step 12: it helps to pass the afternoon in a non-lazy fashion.

13. 13

    Step 13: Plan where you are going ahead of time.

14. 14

    Step 14: Go some place close.

15. 15

    Step 15: Individually plan how much you want to drink that night.

16. 16

    Step 16: Go to unique places.

17. 17

    Step 17: Find a favorite local band.

Detailed Guide

About the Author