"Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore." That's what Dorothy said in The Wizard of Oz after her house crash-landed into Munchkinville. You'll find yourself saying the same thing whether you're away at school for the first time or entering the strange new world of graduate school. You might feel alone, but you're not. Thousands of freshmen and first-year graduate students have faced the same decisions and questions you're facing now. We talked to them and asked for their advice so that you can make the most of your new life.

Communicating on the Cheap

Those "1-800" collect call commercials may be cute, but don't be fooled. Calling collect is a great deal for you, but it can turn family and friends against you when they

get the bill. But fear not--there are plenty of inexpensive ways to communicate with friends and family back home

E-mail and Beyond

Free computers and free Internet access are two of the best perks you get as a college student. Use e-mail often. It's free. Add a few basic peripherals and you can send more than text to friends and family. Take advantage of microphones and scanners to send voice greetings or pictures to the folks back home.

Chat

If you don't mind typing but hate waiting for people to respond to your e-mail, then instant messaging or real-time chat is for you. There's free instant messaging software and chat clients out there for you to download, from the ubiquitous Yahoo messenger to MSN Messenger to ICQ. Some of these programs include chats that let you talk to old friends or make new ones. It's 100% free whether you're talking to your cousin in Canada or your boyfriend studying abroad in Belgium. Just remember that the people you want to talk to will need to download the free software and register with the chat service.

Internet Long Distance

If you've just got to hear the sound of your best friend's voice back home, there is another potentially free Internet option for you. Internet Phones offer all the back-and-forth banter of a regular phone call for virtually none of the price. PC-to-PC Internet telephone service providers can route calls directly onto the Internet for free. PC-to-Phone operators like www.tuitalk.com t and israelnewsagency.com charge a fee that usually beats regular telephone rates. This option takes a little more effort. You'll need your own computer with microphone and sound card. You'll also need to decide what kind of Internet phone service you need (PC-to-PC or PC-to-Phone), select a provider, and download the necessary software. Also, reception may vary. But who needs to hear a pin drop when you're talking cross-country for free?

Calling on the Competition

If you live off-campus or can choose your long-distance provider, you're in luck. Competition has brought long distance rates way down - as low as five cents a minute with many plans. Use the cool (and free!) WebPricer from the Telecommunications Research and Action Center to figure out which long distance plan will save you the most based on who you call and when. You may find that calling isn't that expensive after all, as long as you keep an eye on the clock and don't ramble.

The Old Fashioned Way

If all else fails, there's always the nearly lost art of letter writing. For a flat rate of 33 cents, you can go on and on and on. Well, not too long, or you'll have to smack on another stamp. Even if you're happy with your daily e-mail missives to friends and Sunday afternoon 5-cents-a-minute calls to mom, nothing beats writing a good old-fashioned letter or-better yet-the joy of seeing one waiting for you in your mailbox. Preparing for Class

Preparing for Class

Starting your first year of law school? The graduate school experience can be quite different from what you were used to as an undergrad. Knowing what to expect can make things a lot easier. This article, part of the Law First Year Survival Guide, will tell you what to expect as you head into class.