College can be tough for anyone, but if there is one lesson that I took away from my first year at Slippery Rock, it is to take the advice from those who have been on campus longer. College life is not as hard as it seems, especially if you listen to what the upper classman have to say. Believe me, we already made the mistakes, so we can help you get through this a little bit smoother than what we did.
1. Buy a Bubble Umbrella
It rains more than it shines at SRU, and on top of that, the wind never stops. Do yourself a favor, and purchase a bubble umbrella. You may think that they look dumb, but you will be thankful when you are not sitting in class soaking wet with a crippled umbrella. Rain and snow boots are also highly suggested. The sidewalks get slippery at Slippery Rock. Go figure!
2. Take Your Roommate Agreement Seriously
I don’t care if you have been best friends since birth or if you are a laid back person, you need to take your roommate agreement seriously. There will come a time, especially during finals week, which you will want a little bit of peace and quiet, and your roommate agreement can help you get that. Be smart about what you put on that paper, and think about the possibilities of the future. Remember that when the semester changes, so do your classes, but your roommate stays the same. Believe me, you do not want to be kept up all night when you have an 8 a.m. class.
3. Come Early If You Want a Parking Spot
Having a car on campus can be a life saver, but parking is torture. My best advice for parking is to find a spot and never move your car again. Since that is a little bit unrealistic, come back to campus early after breaks. May the odds be ever in your favor. The parking lots are like oceans filled with sharks.
4. Take advantage of the Happy Bus
Yes, sometimes the Happy Bus smells and is overcrowded, but it’s the only thing that will keep you sane during the winter. The Happy Bus runs all over campus, and it also goes to some off-campus sites such as Giant Eagle. It’s a lot easier to ride the bus with groceries than it is to walk with them.
5. Always Have Quarters
There are card swipes on some of the washing machines, but not all. It is really important to have quarters because you may find yourself going through a lot of clothes. From wearing long sleeves and jeans in the morning to a tank top and shorts by the afternoon, your clothes start to pile up.
6. Check the Lint Trap Before You Dry Your clothes
On that note, please check the lint traps in the dryers before you dry anything. If the trap is full but the dryer is still used, the dryer will catch on fire. It is a very simple task to open the trap, take the lint out, and put it back in before use. If you don’t know where the trap is, ask a friend. Your building thanks you.
7. Allot Yourself Enough Time for Eating
Some of the best places to eat on campus have the longest lines. Places like the Campus Grill and Weisenfluh are only open at certain times, and the lines can get ridiculous. The best suggestion that I can make is to know what times the least amount of people will be at each place. For example, do not try to eat anywhere during common hour if you do not want to stand in line.
8. Always Have Filtered Water
The water at SRU could be considered toxic, so I do not suggest drinking it. Always have bottled water, or buy a Brita. They take up some space in the mini fridge, but it’s better than drinking the tap water. Another great investment would be a shower filter. Believe me, you will understand when you smell the water.
9. Take advantage of the ARC
The ARC is SRU’s gym, and it is also something that you automatically pay for. There is a ton of stuff that you can do in there other than lift. There is a rock wall, a pool, basketball courts, a track, and so much more. On top of all of that, there are free classes for Hip Hop abs and Zumba. If you are bored, it is a great place to go.
10. Buy A Vacuum
The lobbies in the buildings have vacuums, but they suck and not in the way you want them to. They literally don’t pick up anything, and some of them spit stuff back out. You might think that you don’t need a vacuum, but keep in mind that they do make you clean your rooms at the end of the year and you don’t want ants. It is best to just vacuum up the crumbs before they become a problem.
11. Wait to Buy Your Books
Books are really expensive, and some professors do not even use them. Before you purchase any books, make sure you ask if they will be needed. If you absolutely must have the book for class, compare prices with different sites. I have found that most of the time getting books through the university is way more expensive than getting textbooks off the internet on sites such as Amazon and Chegg. Renting books is also a great option but not suggested for your major courses.
12. Delete Emails Wisely
You will find out that SRU is a little bit email happy. You will at least receive 8 emails a day from SRU Communication or Top of the Rock. They will get on your nerves, but make sure you always read the subject line. There are some important emails regarding changes in parking or class times. Also, if you are bored, read Top of the Rock because it always tells you some of the events that will be happening on campus.
13. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Everyone is that “stupid” freshman at least once in their lives. Universities have a lot going on all the time, and it is hard to keep up. Do not feel like you are dumb for asking a question. If you don’t know what time something is, where something happens, or how something works, please ask. I promise that someone will know or at least be able to direct you to someone who does.
14. Get Off-Campus Food Every Once in a While
If you eat Campus food every day, you will go crazy. At the beginning of the year, most people think the food is great, but after a while, it starts to get old and gross. Try to eat off campus occasionally. There is a Subway, a Bob’s Subs, Ginger Hill, and so many other places within walking distance of the University. They are all amazing places, especially after you have been eating Boozel for the past month.
15. Above All, Do NOT Touch the Freshmen Rock
Everyone loves getting pictures next to or on the Freshmen Rock, but I am telling you not to do it. Who knows if the legends and rumors about the rock are really true or not. No explanation is needed though; just don’t touch the rock.
