The New Student’s Guide to Life at School
For students, campus life can be exciting and exhilarating—and a bit of a challenge, too, especially if you just arrived. New experiences, personal growth, and endless opportunities await. But first you need to know where to live, how to get around, and where to find help when you need it.
We've gathered some valuable tips, ideas, and information to help you make the most of your time at school and on campus. Finding the perfect housing set-up. Exploring campus resources. Joining fun extracurricular activities. Keep reading to learn more.
Campus Housing
Finding suitable housing is probably the first, most important aspect of attending a residential school or university. As a student, you'll have various options to consider. From dormitories to apartments, each type of housing comes with its own set of advantages and considerations.
For example, be sure you know the application deadlines for signing up for a room or apartment—they're often earlier than students think. Speak up about your preferences regarding roommates, if applicable, as this can greatly impact your overall living experience. Take note, too, of the amenities offered, such as laundry facilities, shared areas, and study spaces. If what you need isn't available, consider looking elsewhere.
Understanding the school's housing policies is also important. Familiarize yourself with rules regarding noise levels, guests, and other specific regulations or limitations. Violating housing rules can sometimes lead to a loss of campus living privileges, or even eviction for apartment renters.
Campus Safety
Ensuring your safety on campus is of utmost importance and is the shared responsibility of both you and the school you attend. So, early in your stay, take time to familiarize yourself with established campus and community emergency procedures. This includes understanding evacuation routes, knowing the locations of emergency building exits, and recognizing the kinds of campus-wide alerts that you might hear.
Personal safety precautions are important, too. Walk in well-lit areas at night and avoid isolated spots where help might be hard to summon. If your school offers them, utilize official campus companions who can escort you when you feel the need. And if your school has campus police, they're there to assist you—be sure you know how to reach them in an emergency or to report any safety concerns you have.
Additional crime prevention tips include simple measures like always locking your dorm room/apartment door, not leaving valuables unattended, and reporting suspicious activities
Student Services
Today's universities offer a wide range of student to support your academic and personal success. Specific programs vary from school to school, but here’s a short list of what is commonly offered:
- Health and wellness programs: Maintaining good physical health is essential. Look for fitness centers, intramural athletic programs, and other ways to stay active.
- Counseling services: Mental health is important, too. Some schools offer private counseling on personal issues or adjusting to campus life. Stress management workshops are popular, too.
- Academic advising: To keep you on track toward earning your degree, academic advisors are usually available to help you choose courses, selecting your major area of study, and help you build an overall student success plan.
- Career guidance: Most schools have Career Services departments that can help you turn your education into a career—with guidance on writing resumes, preparing for interviews, job fair schedules, and internship opportunities.
- Services for those with different physical abilities: Today's schools work hard to ensure physical accessibility won't disrupt your education, with various services to assist you as needed.
So, get up, speak up, sign up—and use these resources to aid your learning journey.
Campus Resources, Organizations & Activities
Similar to student services, most university campuses have myriad academic, athletic, and lifestyle resources. Together, they can help students obtain a well-rounded education and a more enjoyable school experience.
Look in your campus guide, or ask a resident advisor or professor, to learn where to find these services and programs on your campus:
- Resources
- Academic support centers provide tutoring and may help you find study groups or workshops to help you excel in your coursework.
- Libraries offer extensive resources for research and study materials, and often are a great place for quiet reflection or focused study.
- Extracurricular activities like service groups and outing clubs can help you meet new people while you explore potential new interests and abilities.
- Clubs & Organizations
- Joining academic clubs can help you meet like-minded individuals who share your educational passions and field of study.
- Volunteering has positive impacts both for you and the organizations to which you donate your time, whether on-campus or in the local community.
- Participating in cultural groups gives you a chance to share your personal and family connections with others who share similar backgrounds.
- Sports teams
- Competing on official sports teams helps enhance your physical skills and allows you to publicly represent your institution.
- Intramural athletics can satisfy your need for physical activity and friendly competition while building team spirit.
This is just a short, partial list of the various resources, organizations, and activities available to university students. The opportunities on your campus are likely different, but similar, and are value-adds to the tuition that you pay to your institution, so take advantage of them.
Transportation & Parking
Navigating transportation options on and around campus is a fact-of-life, whether you live at school or commute. Familiarize yourself with the available services such as bus routes, shuttle services, and bike-sharing programs. Learn the schedules and routes that will help you get to classes on time, attend off-campus functions, and find local points of interest.
If you plan to bring a vehicle to campus, research the parking policies and obtain any necessary permits. Some universities offer designated parking areas for students, while others allow you to park where you want but may impose time limits or other restrictions. And if you can, consider alternative modes of transportation like biking or walking. These are ideal for shorter distances, reduce demand for big parking lots and can contribute to your campus’s environmental sustainability efforts.
Food & Dining Options
Good nutrition and satisfying your taste buds is an important part of campus life. Be sure to explore all the various dining options available at your school, including dining halls for on-campus residents, grocery stores for those in apartments—even food trucks for when you want something different.
If you'll be living on campus, get familiar with the meal plan options offered by your university and choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences. At most schools, dining halls will provide a variety of cuisines and accommodate common dietary restrictions, ensuring that you have access to nourishing meals throughout the day.
For those in apartments or who prefer cooking your own meals (if allowed in your dorm), take time to locate nearby grocery stores or markets. Or watch the schedule for your favorite food truck—they can be a quick and convenient option but may cost more on a per-meal basis.
Above all, try to remember that university can be an exciting time to expose yourself to new things, including food flavors and textures. Consider getting out of your comfort zone and experimenting.
Dormitory & Apartment Essentials
Preparing your university living space with the right items can significantly enhance your comfort and convenience—and ease your path of academic success. Whether you're living in a dormitory or an apartment, think about what you’ll need in these areas:
- Furniture: Prioritize essentials like a comfortable mattress for sleeping, and a comfortable, properly sized work desk and chair.
- Bedding: If you're like most students, until now, mom and dad have worried about things like your sheets, pillows and blankets. Now it's your turn, as most dormitories and apartments do not supply them.
- Appliances: If on campus, learn if appliances like a mini-fridge, microwave, or coffee maker are allowed. For apartment dwellers, understand what appliances come with the rental and what you vs. the owner is responsible for providing.
- Storage solutions: Under-bed organizers or stackable containers can maximize storage space and help you stay organized in smaller living spaces like dorms and apartments, but you may need to bring your own.
And don't forget about parking arrangements. Parking at dorms may be limited, while parking at an apartment may be included in your rent or available at extra cost.
Local Resources
Beyond campus, your university town or city likely offers additional resources you can explore. For example, local medical care facilities such as hospitals and clinics can address any healthcare issues you can’t do on campus, or which you may wish to conduct more privately.
In addition, local libraries and museums might have research assets that your school's facility does not. And regional recreational areas often provide wide open spaces and workout equipment for leisure and relaxation.
Plus, keep an eye on local bulletin boards, media advertisements and other sources to stay aware of the new movies playing at the local theater, musical groups that will be staging local concerts, and so on. Such events are ideal for taking a refreshing break from your academic pursuits and possibly connect with members of the local community.
Conclusion
Congratulations on embarking on your university journey. University can be a transformative time. By familiarizing yourself with campus life and utilizing the resources available to you, you'll be sure to make the most of the experience.
Remember, you are an active participant in shaping your university experience. And you are not alone. Take the initiative to explore campus resources, engage in activities that align with your interests, and build connections with fellow students and faculty members. With the right mindset, a willingness to explore, and an open heart, you'll create memories that will last a lifetime.
