Adjusting to a college campus is difficult; in high school, there is only one parking lot— where students most likely have assigned spots—and there is only one building to house all classes and any other activities. College is like a new world; the campus is expansive with many parking lots full of eager meter maids ready to give tickets and even more buildings that are set up like mazes and seem to challenge students to find the right room. Although the new surroundings may seem overwhelimg at first, there are a few things to remember in order to make your daily life much, much easier.

1. Parking

A fair warning: it’s a jungle out there, so get ready to drive defensively.

There are tons of lots around campus, so take a drive around the surrounding streets of the university—this will also help familiarize you with the area. Be sure to check out the lot right behind the BP off of East Exchange Street, because there are always spots there.

When it comes to the parking garages (near the main campus), you can expect to find an open spot only in the early morning or the late afternoon. However, always drive around the decks and look for a person that’s walking to their car; kindly roll down your window and ask if they are leaving and where they are parked. That way you are guaranteed a spot—it works like a charm every time.

If you’re going to park at a meter, make sure you are positive you can make it back from class before it expires, because you will get a ticket. Unfortunately, I’m speaking from experience.

2. Eating

You may find yourself skipping breakfast; no worries, though, because there are lots of places to grab a quick bite around campus. Click the link below to find a list of nearly all the places and their hours: https://www.uakron.edu/dining/where-to-eat-on-campus.dot

Also, there is usually a food truck from Street Treats Grill (check out their website to see a menu: http://streettreatsgrill.com) parked right outside of the library, which makes it super easy to grab something on the go; plus don’t forget there are a slew of restaurants lining East Exchange, so the options are endless.

If you don’t want to spend the extra money on food, have items at home you can grab as you’re walking out the door: yogurt, apples, bananas, granola bars, etc.

3. Printing

There will be a morning that you're so rushed to get to campus you may forget to print your paper that's due later that afternoon, or maybe your printer stops working the second you need to use it— because it has a mind of its own, obviously. However, it is not the end of the world, and there is no need to worry.

In the Student Union, there is a magical place called DocuZip where you can have them print whatever you need for only a few cents per page (if you bring in the file saved on a USB). DocuZip offers a lot of other great services for students, so check out their information page: https://www.uakron.edu/printing/docuzip.dot

Students can also go to the library where there are multiple print stations. However, make sure you have money loaded onto your Zipcard as this is the only means of payment the printer will accept.

4. Studying

Everyone studies differently, so it can be difficult to find out what works for you. If you need a quiet space, check out the library— there are lots of secret corners where you can hide out and get nerdy.

If all of the good spots in the library are taken, there are various private computer labs around campus— you just have to do some exploring to find them. The best thing about the labs is they provide the same atmosphere as the library: private and quiet.

Also, on the bottom floor of the library and in the Polsky building you can sign up for a tutor or pay a visit to one of the writing labs. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Here’s a link so you can check it out online first: https://www.uakron.edu/tutoring/

These four things may seem random and unrelated, but they are things you will deal with on a daily basis. The best way to get through your first year is to find your own system— have a go-to parking lot and a go-to backup lot. Stay nourished as you will need the energy and you do not want your stomach grumbling during lectures. Always carry a USB with all of your assignments in case you need to print a hard copy for class, and, most importantly, have a go-to spot where you feel comfortable so you can study or just relax between classes. You got this!