To the incoming freshman, here is a list of various things I wish I knew last year. Some of these are tips & tricks. Most of these are random, but useful knowledge to have.
All of Your Coffee Needs
Starbucks, a Jazzmans, and a CC's coffee all located on the UL campus, and here's what you need to know about them:
1. Starbucks is located in the U, right across from Bonin & Coronna.
Jazzman's is located in the Library. CC's is located on E. University Avenue by Subway.
2. Starbucks and Jazzman's both allow students to use their DB.
3. BUT Jazzmans and CC's both make better tasting coffee and other drinks than Starbucks.
(My personal favorite is the iced Coco black tea from Jazzman's).
These three coffee places are all on campus, but they are nothing compared to Johnston Street Java. Johnston Street Java has great breakfast foods and great flavors of coffee to choose from. On their list of flavors, you'll find names of some signature mixes like "Samocha" and "Sinful Delight" or you can choose separate flavors to be blended together, such as coconut, almond, and amaretto( my personal favorite).
Food
Bordens
This is last standalone building of its kind in the world. They serve the best ice cream in town, but then again, that's just me being biased.
Fruitti Smoothi
Serves boba and fruit smoothies made from basic strawberries to exotic jackfruit.
McAllister's (on campus)
Allows students to use DB. They have great sweet tea and macaroni. My friends and I love the French Dip sandwich; 10/10 would definitely recommend.
Mel's
Perfect and cute little diner to eat at any time of the day, especially for a late night bite or a night out. They have great and friendly customer service. "The Wets" is a popular request. I know it sounds sketchy, but it's just fries with a side of gravy. It's SO good, let me tell ya.
The Bulldog
Serves $1 burgers on Wednesday nights. It's worth a try!
Indulge
It has a Tumblr vibe about it and serves really great desserts like cake and macaroons. Also serves coffee, truffles, and other delicious treats
Grant Street
Ladies, Wednesday nights are T-shirt nights. There's no need to waste a new outfit, cake on the makeup and spend hours doing your hair. I mean, no, no one will stop you if you show up in a mini skirt and heels, but more than likely, you might end up being one of the very few who did take the time to get cute.
Do you girl, you can if you want to, buuuutttt you'll be 15x more comfortable if you don't, trust me. Grant Street is pretty much the only bar that doesn't have a super strict dress code, so take advantage! Save that cute outfit for Nitetown or The Office.
Discounts
USE. YOUR. DISCOUNTS. Lafayette has so many retail stores and food places; ask for that discount, it will save you A LOT of money. You may not see it right away but over time, it adds up. Places that have discounts include, but are not limited to the following:
Take 5 oil change
$10 off any oil change
Domino's
30% of regular menu price on all items (plus it's a short walk from campus, specifically Bonin & Coronna)
Old Tyme Grocery
10% off (also a short walk from campus)
Tropical Smoothie
10% off
Sub Zero
10% off
The list goes on and on. As long as you keep your school I.D. on you, don't hesitate to ask about a discount. The worst thing that they can tell you is "no."
Activities
Horse farm
Huge open area right off of Johnston. Many people, myself included, go hammocking there. On Saturday mornings there's a farmer's market full of fresh fruits and other foods.
Bourgeois
In this building, you can find the fitness center, rock wall pool, and etcetera. Amongst other things, there are classes in bourgeois for personal training, acro yoga, Zumba, Booty Ballet and many more.
Painting With A Twist
Everything you need to know is in the title. Gather your friends and your preference of beer and/or wine and the workers will provide the art supplies. While sipping away, you'll be creative and have a work of art to take home
Artmosphere
Artsy bistro that has live music in the evenings. On Tuesday nights they host karaoke.
Festival International
This is basically the "Coachella" of the South. Artists from all over the world, even local, come to Lafayette for a few days during April to perform live music. Here, you can purchase art work, handmade jewelry and eat delicious foods from all over the world.
Other things to know...
1. "Tim" will lowkey become your favorite person to see and talk to every day if you see him on the clock.
He switches between working at Starbucks and McAllisters. Sometimes you'll see him at The Wok or Acadiana Bagel. He's so funny and friendly, and if you make a good impression or he sees you often, he'll remember you and talk with you.
2. Use you flex meals if you have them.
Flex meals can be used on select items from Cafe Fleur de Lis, The Wok, and Acadiana Bagel. At the bagel shop on campus, they have a special "Flex of the Day" for students to choose from.
3. Buy an ethernet cable.
It's a lot more convenient than walking to the library. The wifi isn't always the best, especially if a lot of students in the dorms have personal routers (which y'all shouldn't. Don't do it. It messes everyone's wifi up and you can get fined for it, which I have seen happen).
4. If you have a class on the 5th or 4th floor of the infamous "Mount Griffin," yes, you have to take the stairs, BUT I know a trick.
There is a staircase located in the middle of Griffin that zig-zags upwards and is more roomy, but only accessible for the first three floor. Walk up those stairs first. They aren't as steep and there's a lot more room to breath. Plus, you wont be as squished together with the other students in the other, smaller staircases.
5. Check the weather every day... or at least every night.
Even if you see a small percentage of rain, it will probably rain. Wear rain boots people, it's Lafayette, La. We flood. If you don't own rain boots, just please don't wear your expensive sneakers and ruin them. Also, invest in a good rain jacket and keep an umbrella handy. It's a life saver, especially if you have to walk to class all the way across campus.
6. Last but certainly not least, to us it is, and always will be, just "UL", not "ULL."
People will try to argue back and forth with you, especially ULM. Let it go and let it be. You and I both know that the second "L" is silent.
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