Students offer advice on how to navigate life at Tech

For incoming freshmen, the start of the fall semester is an especially trying and critical time. Not only do they have to deal with harsh professors and challenging courses, they must also learn how to adjust to college life. Students can have successful or disappointing experiences depending on how much they know about the ins and outs of daily life at Tech.

Other dining options

One of the most important survival tools for a college student is the ability to find food, because mom will not be there to cook anymore. No worries though, for Tech provides its students with many dining options, from residential dining halls to the food court in the Student Center, to accommodate everybody's taste and budget. To find out what suits one's particular taste, it is advisable to take the first few weeks to explore various options.

"Try everywhere first, try places you think you would like on Fifth Street, [and] go to the dining halls," said Brian Quellette, a second-year Computer Engineering major. "[I] usually just go to Woodruff on campus."

However, not all students feel dining on campus is the best option. Luckily, Tech is located in the heart of Midtown, where myriad restaurants and grocery shops are within walking distance.

"[On-campus dining] does not have a lot of stuff to choose from. I think it's a little bit expensive. I normally don't dine here unless I really don't have time to cook for myself," said Ming Zhong, a second-year Biomedical Engineering graduate student.

"Cool Corners, on State Street, is a good place to get sandwiches," Quellette said.

For more information on on-campus dining, check out Tech's website at www.gatechdining.com.

Where to buy groceries

Students looking for more goods and services than can be brought from home or found on campus can find places to shop at nearby.

"I normally just go up to Spring Street to Publix to get groceries. It's quick and close," said Oliver Barrett, a fourth-year Computer Engineering major. "Take the Tech Trolley to the [Midtown] MARTA Station and walk across West Peachtree Street."

Moreover, on weekends, Parking and Transportation provides a special grocery shuttle to local stores. The first shuttle departs from the Graduate Living Center at 10:10 a.m. and once every hour from then. The shuttle then enters campus, following the Red Stinger route, and finally proceeds to Atlantic Station, where it stops in front of Publix.

For the full grocery shuttle schedule, check out www.parking.gatech.edu/transportation/4_grocery_shuttle.

How to send mail

The post office in the Student Center may seem a bit complex at first, but it is the most valuable place for students to both receive and mail letters and packages.

When a student first arrives at Tech, he is given a mailbox number and a personal mailbox located on the first floor of the Student Center, from which he may receive letters and package notices.

"We put the mail in the students' boxes. They [the students] should check their boxes every day because we do not notify them for regular letters," said Tom Lamb, assistant postal supervisor. "[However], when packages arrive for students, [they] are notified by an email and a notice in their mailboxes."

The post office also has three retail stamp windows where students can mail everything from regular letters to money orders. Keep in mind, however, that Buzzcard funds won't work here, and a purchase will require cash or credit card.

"The stamp windows are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The package windows are open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m," Lamb said.

What to do with free time

The key to success is balance. Sure, classes are tough at Tech, but it is by no means an excuse to not have an exciting college life. To make sure that students don't get too stressed out, Tech has many opportunities for students to relax, get involved and have fun.

"I like to get involved in different student organizations," said Michael Reed, a second-year Mechanical Engineering major. "I play basketball and football, so I go to the [Campus Recreation Center] a lot. Also, the Music Listening Room in the Student Center is a fun place to chill and hang out."

Not only are there places to hang out on campus, but there are many places in the area where students can go to connect with friends or simply chill by themselves.

"Atlantic Station is where I would go to catch a movie; [there are] a lot of places to shop, eat and just hang out," said John Edenfield, a fifth-year Mechanical Engineering major.

"You can take MARTA to Lenox Square, [and] Tech Square is not so bad of a place to meet people and eat," Reed said.

Last word of advice: get on a free Stinger or purchase a monthly MARTA card and explore-the options are endless.