a grammar explanation, please: то

[scifigal.livejournal.com]

My tutor and I have an awesome system. We have dialogue journals. We each have a journal, and we write to the other person. We exchange them every time we have a lesson, so it reinforces reading and writing. I love it. I find that I learn new words because I have something I want to say. I also use Abby Lingvo for when I don't understand a word, but it doesn't do so great on grammar explanations.

My tutor wrote:

Когда я хожу в университет, то я просыпаюсь утром в 6:30!

What is the function of "TO" there? I understand it has something to do with linking independent clauses. Is it because the word Когда was used? Or can it be used to link other independent clauses? Does it imply a conditional result? Can it be left off, the way "that" can often be left off (I know THAT I don't know)?

I'd just love a great explanation if you have one!

спасибо!

Comments

[karakal.livejournal.com]

It's a strange phrase anyway.

Any Russian I know would say
Когда я иду в университет, то встаю в полседьмого (omitting я and with то)
or
Когда мне нужно идти в университет, я встаю в полседьмого (omitting то and with я).