It was a cool day, a day not unlike today, when I was walking to my first class. I had little time to spare so I knew my only route to on-time arrival was through the dreaded Tate Plaza.

My palms were sweaty and my knees grew weak as I walked the steps that lead to the battlefield – papers falling from the sky like missiles, opinions ringing out like gunshots and masses of humanity caught in the chaos not knowing where to turn or how to escape.

But in my anxiousness, a calm fell over me for I am a beaten war veteran who has traveled this path many times before.

Not even the ranting of their leader – “The Tate Preacher” – would deter me from my mission of reaching my class on time.

The ways of survival are learned quickly although unspoken and unwritten, but I want to shine a light on a few of my techniques.

 Technique one: Total avoidance. So I have to get to campus 10 minutes early and take extra steps to the Miller Learning Center – it’s worth it!

I am not bombarded with free newspapers, sketch club fliers or free condoms. I can walk to my class with a sense of freedom knowing that I can interact with no one while listening to my iPod and avoid the possibilities of awkward situations.

 Technique two: The zone. Before entering Tate, I place myself into an imaginary bubble where I am impervious to the ranting of political extremists and the overplayed mix tape of blaring boom boxes.

I walk with my eyes straightforward, not veering to the left or right, knowing that my only destination is my final destination.

It would take an act of God himself to get me to stop and acknowledge anyone.

 Technique three: The Nascar. While atop the steps before entering Tate, I keep a lookout for a lonesome passerby. When the right person gets into my sights, I jump onto their path right behind them.

As they weave through the masses of Tate I drift behind their every move, just waiting.

Then the time comes – one of the solicitors of the plaza stop my pace car and get their attention. That’s when I slingshot around them, like Dale Jr. going on his way to a Daytona victory, causing me to reach superhuman walking speeds I never thought possible.

 Technique four: The Spiderman. Some days, I enter Tate and it looks like every single one of Rush Limbaugh’s listeners are waiting with salivating mouths to let me know their opinion on everything.

So what is there to do? I cling to the wall. Using only 90 degree angles, I hug the walls like they’re virgin Redwoods and I am the last member of Greenpeace.

This may take longer than walking through the middle of Tate, but it is a surefire way to avoid all the free speech gifted ideals being thrown out only feet from me.

Word of caution; watch for opening doors.

It is sad that these techniques actually are used by me and other students – they shouldn’t have to be.

As a journalism student, I am in complete support of free speech.

I think that having a “safe zone” on campus where people can access the right of free speech is important and necessary.

But once the demonstration of freedom of speech borders harassment, limits should be placed – speaking without approaching.

I don’t want your fliers, newspapers or free cookies. They alone will not lure me to your table or your meeting.

I will listen to you while I walk through the plaza, and if what you say interests me, I will approach you for more information.

I challenge you to use the most powerful words that stop me dead in my tracks; where my curiosity will pull me toward you where you can hand me all the free crap you want.

But until then, leave me alone.

If you continue to bombard me with politics, organizations or events, I will have to resort to one of the four escaping techniques. Then your mission to relay your important message will be lost because I will have heard nothing. I will only have been annoyed.

I suggest advocates find non-aggressive ways to get your point across to students. Your speech will be free but will fall on deaf ears.

- Laura Braziel is a senior from Fitzgerald majoring in magazines.