Helpful tips for living and studying on the ASU downtown Phoenix campus
So you finally made it to college! Well, brace yourself because it’s only just begun.
My name is Brysha Pelt and I am going into my sophomore year at ASU downtown. I’ve learned so much over my freshmen year, from the first day jitters to the stress of finals week.
There are many things I wish I had known before I moved in to Taylor Place, the downtown dorm. Like the fact the dining hall closes at 7 pm on Fridays, two hours earlier than its normal closing time. There are also many privileges I was glad to have like guaranteed free tickets to basketball or football games.
Here are a couple lists that could prove helpful; one of which identifies everything I wish I knew as a freshman. The other identifies everything that enhanced my experience. Good luck!
Things I wish I knew my freshman year:
- Books & materials are quite expensive, especially at campus bookstores. You have options.
- Best times to visit the dining hall are between 7:30-11 a.m. for breakfast, 12 -2 p.m. for lunch, and 5 -8 p.m. for dinner.
- The dining hall gets pretty crowded around 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and between 6 and 7 p.m.
- Left over Maroon & Gold dollars do not roll over into the next semester, so it’s best to just spend the rest of it during finals week.
- You might end up having a lot more free time than you think, but use it wisely.
- Sitting in the front of the room helps, especially in large classes. Doing this will help you focus more, and it’ll increase the likelihood of your professor becoming familiar with you, which will benefit you in the long run
- Calendars, digital or hard copies, are necessary. Get one and check it at least twice a day.
- Most math & science courses require daily practice/reviewing of the material to prevent falling behind.
- If you live downtown and wish to attend a football game, take the light rail instead of the intercampus shuttle. The light rail has a station that’s right next to the stadium, whereas the shuttle stops on the opposite side of campus, which is a lengthy walk from the stadium.
- Keep a water bottle, hat, and/or sunglasses on you everywhere you go until November (yes, the weather does not usually cool down until around November).
- Students who basically live in the library (and do all of their work) are students who succeed.