With a new school year among us, new students are living in the area and old ones are returning. If Columbia is your home away from home, I have some recommendations that should eliminate some of the guesswork from the process of finding your favorite spots.
Here are a few of my favorite places to go in Columbia:
1. Favorite Hair Salon
Metropolis Salon & Dry Bar doesn't just have a prime location on Taylor St. in downtown Columbia. It also has unbeatable prices, talented stylists, welcoming staff, and an environment that makes you feel like you're in New York City instead of Columbia, SC.
2. Best Pizza
Anyone who's ever been to Village Idiot Pizza & Pub can vouch for just how delicious the food is, and how great the prices are. With locations in Five Points, Forest Acres and (COMING SOON) The Mills in the historic Olympia neighborhood, they have nightly specials, great service, and an awesome atmosphere.
3. Car Repair Shop
I had the pleasure of visiting Midas on Millwood Avenue about eight times last semester, where I basically became best friends with all the employees there (they really did know me by name). Whether you have the kind of luck that leads you to run over foreign objects in the middle of the interstate, got in a fender bender, or just need an oil change, the boys at Midas will be happy to help you out.
4. Best Thrift or Consignment Shop
Whether you're looking to buy or sell, Revente is my go-to for inexpensive, gently used clothes, shoes, and accessories. Their selection is great, their prices are reasonable, and their location in Five Points is walking distance from campus. 
5. Best Spot For A Sweet Treat
If you've never had Pelican's Sno Balls, you're missing out on one of my favorite places in Columbia. Tired after a long day of classes? Pelican's. Cheap date spot? Pelican's. Need something to satisfy your sweet tooth? Pelican's. The 100 flavors speak for themselves.
6. Best Brunch
The Gourmet Shop in Five Points is the perfect place for Sunday brunch with your gal pals after church, or mid-morning on Saturday when you're still adjusting to seeing Five Points in the daylight. I had my first grits experience here, and it changed my life.
7. Best Campus Bookstore
Addam's Bookstore on Assembly St. is the best place for Gamecock gear, class textbooks, accessories, and school supplies. You can order your books online for rent or purchase, their selection is prime, and the prices are ideal.
8. Best Cheap Burger
I have three words for you: Salty. Nut. Cafe. This place is a game-changer. My parents refer to it as Salty because it's such a known staple in every weekend they come to visit. Their fried pickles are bomb, their pimento cheese burger is killer, and you get peanuts while you wait for your food. (They also have really cool t-shirts for sale).
9. Favorite Nail Salon
Also in walking distance from campus is my go-to nail salon, Capital Nails on Assembly. It's a one-stop shop for nails, waxing, and massages, and it's so reasonably priced. The people there are friendly, too!
10. Best On-Campus Dining
When you're bustling through campus and you want a quick bite to eat (that's actual, real food) your best bet is Colloquium Café by the Williams Brice Nursing Building and Gambrell. With awesome sandwiches, proudly-brewed Starbucks coffee, delicious pastas and salads, Colloquium is favorite on-campus location for a yummy lunch between classes.
I hope you find yourself at one of these 10 locations over the next semester, and are happy with some of my favorite places in Columbia. Tell them Audrey sent you.
