There’s nothing like walking into class on the first day and realizing you spent hundreds of dollars on the wrong equipment. Actually, let me take a step back. As a Medill student, I was not thrilled when I received a letter two summers ago notifying me (or really, my parents) that in addition to the Northwestern price tag, I was “recommended” to have a specific laptop, hundreds of dollars of software, video iPod (with the iPod microphone) and camcorder. But this is old news to many of you.

Fast forward to my first day of Enterprise Reporting in Diverse Communities (that’s Newswriting for you veterans). Almost every student in my class faced the same nightmare: We bought the wrong camcorder. Not only were the specifications different on e-mails and letters Medill students received, but the person to contact was unavailable to consult students when many were buying camcorders. He was on vacation. Apparently secretaries typed up the list of specifications and did not really know what everything was.

My answer to that is – um, hello? Why isn’t the appropriate person drafting these e-mails? Why aren’t there suggestions for a specific camcorder to buy? And also, why would Medill choose to have their one contact person be unavailable?

There’s nothing to do now but sulk over my wrongly-purchased, beautiful Canon. You’ll just have to wish me luck. Apparently only two models fit all of Medill’s requirements, one of which is discontinued. Need I say more?