by Holly Huffstutler

Created on: January 24, 2010

Learning to live within a college community boils down to discovering how a university dispenses services to it’s students and how a student can use those services to build a fulfilling college student.

MAIL: A student might be tempted to rely on their email for all correspondence, but they would be missing out on important mail from the school itself (like student loan information and such) as well as potential care packages from home and coupons from local businesses that might provoke a student into searching for interesting food, people and fun off campus.

PARKING RULES: This is very important if you have a car, and could still prove useful for the pedestrian if a driving friend or family member drops by. If parking tickets are not something desirable, a student should learn where they are allowed to park and where, when and how a parking permit can be obtained. Learning the rules for visitor parking is important as well. If a friend or parent intends to drop by, find out if they need a permit or anything similar.

PEOPLE: The ultimate key to building a successful college life is the finding the people that will entertain, inspire and support you. Keep your eyes, your ears and your heart open for the people who might be the best part of your new life.

FOOD: This list is not in ascending or descending order or this item would have been first or last. A student must immediately find how they will get food and liquid, or they will die. Most first year students will be given a meal plan automatically so they should learn what food they have access to at what time. Beyond the cafeteria, however, there are most likely restaurants, cafes, diners and convenience stores that will be a saving grace for the student who realizes that the food or atmosphere in the dining hall needs to supplemented with food from somewhere else.

QUIET: A college campus can be a loud, chaotic place. That’s wonderful if you are part of that life affirming chaos, but horrible if a student really needs to concentrate…or sleep. Invest in a good pair of ear plugs for inside your room and search for a quiet place to escape to when you need it, like a cozy neglected nook in the library or a park or calm café table off campus.

DORM RULES: Nothing throws a kink in your college experience like having privileges taken away from you because you broke some rules. Learn what you aren’t allowed to have or do during your time in the dorms and plan accordingly. Whatever that means to you…

CAMPUS AMENITIES: It’s a great idea to read up and ask about everything that your campus has to offer a new student. You might have access to local discounts you didn’t know about, on campus pools and tennis courts, vacuum cleaners you borrow. Investigate and take full advantage. Your fees are paying for it anyway.   

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Those without cars should familiarize themselves with the public transportation on campus and in the surrounding area. Buses on a big campus are a godsend and campus shuttles to the closest mall or movie theatre will go along way towards feeling less trapped.

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