College can be fun - a time to push yourself to learn new things and to make lifelong friends. Of course, college can also be a very stressful time. When I am stressed and sleep-deprived, the most pressing things on my clouded mind are coffee, nap time and finishing that paper. Sleep deprivation definitely lowers my impulse control, which makes it harder to resist the nightly urge to buy unhealthy snacks or expensive, packaged convenience foods that can leave me and my wallet feeling drained.

Student life has challenges that can make it difficult to support issues that we care about, such as: eating healthfully, minimizing waste, sticking to a budget, or supporting local, organic and sustainable food. When we discuss the sustainability of food, this means we are considering the economic, social and environmental impacts of the food we eat. Many students at IU care about where their coffee, bagels and salad come from. But it can be hard to stop and consider the impacts of our daily purchases when we feel foggy and preoccupied.

If you take a psychology course, you will probably hear about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (1943). It explains this tendency to meet basic physiological needs for sleep and food before we attend to needs higher on the pyramid. At the very top, self-actualization describes the desire to fulfill our potential, perhaps by giving back and engaging in issues we care about. So how do we push past these challenges and engage in issues we care about?

1. Sleep 

Sleep = better mood, better memory, better decisions, better you! While I can't emphasize enough how much better life is when I get a solid nine hours of sleep, this is not always possible in college. :) For more helpful suggestions, see #2-6. 

2. Plan ahead

Start the semester stocked up on snacks that you will feel good about eating and enjoy eating! Bring them with you during the day to stave off temptation. If you have a few minutes in the morning and a coffee pot, bring your own coffee to save money. Your heat-safe water bottle can double as a coffee mug, some cafes give discounts for using your own container rather than their single-use cups. I live off-campus and don't have a meal plan, so I pack my lunch the night before because I know I'll be rushing in the morning. I save money avoiding convenience foods and feel better eating home-cooked leftovers. If you eat on-campus, see #3.

3. Look for labels, ask for labels 

Look for Indiana apples, local or organic produce, fair-trade coffee and food made with produce that is grown in the Campus Garden (see video). Based on what I have heard from Residential Programs and Services (RPS) staff and Sodexo staff, they care about the opinions of students and need you to speak up so that the demand for the types of food that you support can be communicated to decision-makers. If you eat on campus, make sure to provide feedback on comment cards about the availability of foods you support. You may also feel that food labeling could be improved to give you the information you need to support local, organic, worker-owned, fair-trade, humanely raised or other foods.

4. Vote with you stomach, dollars and meal points 

At past IU Food Summits, food vendors and food service providers have indicated their readiness to provide more sustainable food. It is up to students to generate and support demand for these foods on campus. 

Students and staff discuss food issues with Sodexo and RPS at a Food Summit.

We all make choices about what to eat every day and we vote with our stomachs and dollars. When you add up those small decisions over an entire year, it affects the purchasing expenditures made by Indiana University. It makes an impact on the choices that are offered by dining services or convenience stores in the future. If students aren't buying grass-fed hamburgers, dining services will be hesitant to provide it again in the future!

If you cook your own meals, visit the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market for fresh, local produce. You can often save money by buying staples such as flour, beans, rice, and pasta in bulk at places such as Blooming Foods or Sahara Mart. Bring your own reusable containers to fill (just ask the staff to weigh and mark the container before you fill it so you can subtract off the weight of your heavy glass jar!)

5. Get Involved 

There are many student organizations and groups that have formed to address food-related issues that students are passionate about. These range from food justice to animal welfare to food production. Get involved early in the year: VegIU, Hoosier Fair Trade, Beekeeping Club, Bloomington Community Orchard at IU, Students Producing Organics Under the Sun (SPROUTS), Oxfam, Real Food IU are just a few options! 

Students across many universities are engaged in the Real Food Challenge. The Real Food Challenge goal is to "shift $1 billion of existing university food budgets away from industrial farms and junk food and towards local/community-based, fair, ecologically sound and humane food sources - what we call "real food" - by 2020. IU is aiming for 15% of real food as defined by the Real Food Challenge.

Students have many different reasons for supporting real food. Here's a small sampling:

• Better access to healthy food on campus.
• Impact of farming practices on local ecosystems.
• Minimize negative impacts on natural resources.
• Minimize contributions to climate change.
• Impact of food on communities, including food security and local jobs.
• Animals should be treated humanely. 
• Farm workers should be treated well and paid a fair wage.

Several of these may resonate with you or you may be passionate about other issues. To become involved in the Real Food movement, visit Real Food IU.

6. Sign up for the "this week in sustainability" newsletter!

You'll get updates and event information throughout the semester. Just enter your email address in the bar at the bottom left of any page on the IU Office of Sustainability website. Stay tuned for more information about the fall Food Summit. Be sure to attend the Big Red Eat Green (BREG) event on September 10th at the IU Art Museum. It's a great way to kick off the semester, try some great local food and get plugged-in to food issues on campus!

For sustainability tips on preparing your wardrobe for fall, read Minimalist Closet in College.

When I found out last July that I’d be living in Read, I thought it would be really helpful to ask current students if they could tell me anything about what it was like to live there. I ended up with a couple of opinions and stereotypes about the building, but no actual firsthand accounts. So, for all of you incoming freshman or any other students waiting to hear about housing assignments with worries about moving from home to the dorm or getting along with your new roommate, here is a firsthand review on everything and anything you need to know about living in Read!

Read is located in the Southeast neighborhood of campus along with Forest, Rose and Willkie. The building is split into four sections by gender, excluding a few floors. The sections are Clark, Beck, Curry and Landes, each six floors high. The top two floors are mostly single rooms. There are a few LLCs or Living Learning Centers (based on certain floors) within Read, including performing arts and a few academic communities. I personally lived on Landes 3, an all girls academic community. Read is currently under construction, as the main lobby and dining areas have just been renovated, and rooms are next on the list. Read is well-known for being one of the three dorms on campus that doesn't have air conditioning and for having too many fire alarms. 

Read is in the Southeast neighborhood, making it one of the most convenient places to live. It’s really easy to get to almost any building on campus in a decent amount of time. It’s the closest residence hall to Ballantine (where you’re almost guaranteed to have at least one class!), you're right across the street from the Jacobs School of Music, you're a five minute walk away from the Fine Arts area of campus and just ten minutes from the Union. Plus, there’s a bus stop just down the street at 3rd and Jordan Avenue. You can easily keep warm in the winter and use the bus system to your advantage when you aren’t up to walking. Read is also really close to a Village Pantry and the TIS Bookstore, which is useful when you may need something specific for school as well as a cheaper option for books or buy one get one free t-shirts!

The rooms at Read are relatively small, but no smaller than anywhere else on campus. Read is one of the dorms that allows you to loft beds. You and your roommate have the option to loft your beds, have both on the floor or a mixture of both. Read is also a suite-style dorm, so you and your roommate will share a small half bathroom, or “johnette” as they’re called, with the two people living next door. Rooms have two decent sized closets with an overhead storage space, giving residents a lot of extra room. You’ll also have a desk, a dresser and some shelving space. Read, however does not have air conditioning, which makes the first and last few weeks of school a bit miserable. However, the lounges, lobby and dining areas are all air conditioned, making them a good place to cool off. 

Here's a panoramic view of my side of our room on Landes 3. 

And here is a Christmas-y example of what the closets, overhead storage space and lofted beds look like.

Read has a brand new main lobby and center desk area full of booths and tables for homework, group projects or socializing time. The cool thing about Read is that each floor has four lounges, one for each section of the building. There’s always an open space to study and work on projects, or in the case of my floor to socialize, watch movies, play games and eat. There are five laundry rooms in the building, one in each section and then a large main laundry room located in the Clark wing. There are walkways on the sixth floor roof, so you can hang out up there and get some fresh air at any time. There is a computer lab, plenty of printers, the CLDC which provides you with any and everything you could possibly need to work on a project and a Movies, Music and More, where you can rent CDs and DVDs for a few days. There are also TONS of music practice rooms that can be used by anyone that lives in the building, not just Jacobs students. There is also a kitchen on every other floor, so you can make cookies whenever you’d like! This year, Read had some major issues with the fire alarms. Most of them were caused by students, but the building is older and the alarms are sensitive. But hey, you’re not getting the full dorm experience until you’re rudely awoken at 3AM by a blaring alarm, right?

Read has a brand new RPS dining facility on the first level. It includes four different dining options, all of which are usually referred to as "The Bistro" throughout the building. Presentation Station changes every day, so for example, there might be Indian food on Monday, pasta Tuesday and Wednesday, BBQ on Thursday, hot dogs and such on Friday and generally pancakes in all different flavors and toppings on the weekends (my favorite!). The Bistro serves any kind of sandwich you can think of, but if you want something that isn’t on their sandwich menu you can create a personal one of your own. Bueno serves Mexican food such as burritos, quesadillas, chips and salsa and tacos. There is also a section (my absolute favorite) that serves breakfast from 7 am to midnight. You can get eggs, toast, bacon, omelets, those campus-famous breakfast buddies or the building famous waffles. There is also an array of donuts, cookies, brownies and other delectable treats, as well as plenty of customizable coffee options. The Bistro can get old though, but thanks to Read’s great location you can easily walk to Woodlands, which is considered the best dining option on campus and is right across the street at Forest. The Wright food court and the Union Street C-store are just a mere five minute walk away, so you can easily stock up on groceries and anything else you may need.

Read is usually considered the dorm full of music students and anti-social students. There are a lot of music students within the building, but not everyone is a part of Jacobs. There are students from every major living in Read! Nor is everyone anti-social. We may not be as loud as those living in the Northwest neighborhood, but I did not have any trouble making friends or meeting new people within the building. As a matter of fact, nearly all of the friends I made my freshman year were due to leaving my door open and talking to anyone hanging around in a lounge. It also helped to attend building or floor-wide events. I even bonded with people over the occasional fire alarm. 

So, altogether, Read is a pretty cool place to live as long as you have some fans to keep you cool. I’m moving into an apartment next year with a bunch of people that lived on my floor from Read. I absolutely do not regret living there one bit. It’s an experience, that’s for sure. You can check out a few other posts about living in Read by fellow We Are IU writers here and here.

Indiana University is known across the country for many different reasons: IU basketball, the Little 500 and our strong academic programs just to name a few. However, there is arguably one thing that all students agree on during student tours that causes high school seniors to say #yestoIU every year: our beautiful campus.

How can anyone resist the sprawling greenery of Dunn Meadow and the Arboretum, or the classic limestone architecture and traditional focal points of our campus like the Sample Gates that lead to bustling Kirkwood Avenue? You can’t help but admire it all and think, “this is the college experience right here.”

However, despite all of this beauty, one annoying question remains in the back of your head that causes you to worry: how are you ever going to get around such a huge campus?

As a junior at IU, I’m here to tell you all of your options for freshman year and beyond.

I’ll address this first because a lot of incoming freshman contemplate whether they should bring their cars to campus. The parking permits at IU go in this order: A, B, C, D, E, F.

A, B and C permits are for professors. As an IU student you’ll most likely be looking at the D, E or F passes. The D pass is the best pass you can get as a student. You can park near the dorms and in the parking garages (Fee lane for Northwest neighborhood, the SRSC, Jordan Avenue parking garage near Read/Wright area and the Rose parking lot). You can only buy this parking pass if you live on campus in a dorm or apartment. You will be put on a waiting list, and will wait to find out if you have received the D pass. A good amount of people get the pass, but others remain on the wait list until mid-semester or even the whole year.

Now lets talk about the E and F passes. Students who can’t get a D pass, or students who live off campus typically go for these passes.The E pass is mainly used by students who choose to park at the stadium, and ride the A bus into campus. It is at a slightly higher price than the F pass that allows students to park in any zone after 5pm as long as it isn't a 24 hour spot, this includes parking garages. 

With an E pass you can also park in front of the sorority and fraternity houses on Jordan avenue and the extension at any point during the day. No, you do not need to be a member of a Greek organization to park here, it’s free game for anyone with an E pass (houses have parking lots in the back so don’t feel like you’re taking anyone’s spot). You can also park near the bell tower by Jordan Avenue and Linebacher Road with the E pass. When you park at either of these places you can take the B bus to campus (less crowded than the A bus) or enjoy a short walk.

Buy any of these parking passes and find more information here. 

If you’re a freshman living in the dorms, and you’re wondering if you should bring your car to campus, know that you will likely be just fine without it if you don’t want to deal with parking. IU designs campus living so that you never really have to leave. Side note: if you do decide to bring your car, and keep it parked at the stadium, just know you'll have to move it for every home basketball and football game.

Whether you have a car on campus or not, you’ll need to be familiar with the bus systems around IU. While it may seem intimidating at first, I promise that you will get the hang of this fast. There are two different types of buses running on the IU campus. The campus bus system and the City of Bloomington buses. Both systems are free to students! 

The campus buses are lettered A, B and E.I highly recommend downloading the IU Mobile app, there is a list of bus schedules and a real-time bus tracker which is really helpful when you’re waiting at a stop wondering when the bus will come.

• A bus - This goes from the stadium to the northwest dorms, loops around 3rd Street, Kirkwood, the IMU, 10th Street and back up Fee Lane to the north dorms and the stadium.
• B bus - Goes from the extension to Jordan (sorority/fraternity houses) to in front of the Neal Marshall Black Culture Center on Jordan across from the parking garage, shoots down Third and then turns around to backtrack on the same route. 
• E bus - This route starts up by Campus View apartments by Linebacher Road, goes by Union Street and Eigenmann, then turns on Rose to stop at Willkie, it shoots down Third, goes to 10th Street and then turns on Jordan to make stops at the Library and the Wright School of Education.
• X bus- This route starts at the Stadium and is a direct route to the IMU and the Auditorium. No other stops are made. 

​The Bloomington Transit buses that run on campus are typically only the 6 and 9 bus (there are a few more obscure ones but these are the two that students are most familiar with). You show your campus ID to the driver to get on free. If you aren't a student or forgot your ID, it's $1 to ride.

• 6 bus - This bus goes from west of campus and hits apartments northwest, comes down by Smallwood Apartments, goes through campus stopping at the IMU and along 10th Street, and then goes to apartment buildings east of campus like Reserve on 3rd.
• 9 bus - This bus is famous for going to the mall. It basically hits apartments south of campus, the College Mall, Tulip Tree, then goes down 3rd Street, and back up 10th heading to the Mall. 

This is a convenient alternative to walking around campus. IU has a big biking scene because of Little 5, but you don’t need to be a super-cyclist to maneuver around campus. IU also offers a lot of bike racks next to school buildings. The only thing you need to be a cyclist is a bike lock and a $10 permit you can purchase on the IU permit parking site.

Walking to class is free, easy and will get you exercise. Since IU is so big, it will do you good to be aware of the alternatives like the bus system. But if you can easily walk to class, good for you! 

Hopefully you will feel a little better about getting around the large IU campus with these resources available to you as a student. These options allow you to worry about more important things that make up the college experience.

Check out these other posts for more information:

• Navigating Indiana University Bloomington...WITHOUT A CAR
• Live on-campus? Live off-campus?
• Things Everyone Should Do Before Classes Start

We live in an almost entirely tech dependent world--like seriously! I can almost guarantee you that 90% of the people in your dorm won't even go to the bathroom without bringing their phone along, and it's just down the hall! But with more technology comes more problems and more issues to fix. Even though you have six different devices that you love and cherish, you don't have to be super tech savvy. You might not know how to fix every issue on your devices, so where can you find help?

Thank goodness, Indiana University understands how glued to our new laptops we are. They offer tons of resources to help you out in your time of desperation. No matter what the issue--trying to properly work Excel or figuring out why your computer keeps blinking blue lines--there's a resource for you to figure it out.

Aka "the KB", the knowledge base is essential for answering all of your technology related questions. This is the first place I go if I want to try and figure something out on my own. It is filled with tons of articles all for helping students, faculty and staff solve their issues. You can visit this website to search for your problem and a solution.

If your issue is a little too complicated for you to figure out on your own, you can try asking the support desk in the Well's Library Learning Commons or the Indiana Memorial Union in Room M089 (past the bowling alley). Students who work for Technology Center Consulting (TCC) will be there to help, as well as the super techy support staff who have all the knowledge!! Usually if I can't figure something out on my own then I'll just bring in my laptop or phone. But what if you need help on something you can't bring in?

Make an appointment!

This is something that a lot of students are unaware of--but you can call the support center to make an appointment. They will stop by your dorm or on campus apartment and give you assistance at your place. This is perfect if you need help connecting your internet or figuring out what's wrong with your PlayStation. Call this number for assistance: (812) 855-6789. 

Okay, so what do you do when you can't figure it out on your own AND you can't get in to the library to have someone take a look? Well, try using the live chat! Live chat--think old school yahoo chat--will hook you up with someone who can give you some over the web assistance. It's been a lifesaver for me when I need help right away. Oh, and you want to know the best part? They can take control of your computer and do it for you. After giving permission they might be able to just mess around with your computer and fix it themselves, and all this is done while you're laying in bed with your laptop. It's pretty cool.

Soooo, now you tell me you don't have an issue, but you just want to learn something super handy. Well IU has resources for that too. IT Training is located in Bloomington and IUPUI. You can take instructor led classes at either of these locations or online! Or if you want to study on your own, they have some amazing materials for students, faculty and staff to download and work with. Whether you're learning how to code or want to learn the basics of computing they've got classes for you.

Read more about them on Laura's post here.

For me, college was a time for trying new things. I branched out, took risks and did things that I would have never done before. I was ready to redefine myself and become a better me. I changed a lot when I got to college, and I think there is nothing better than taking the time to do this for yourself. I still have a year here at the beautiful Indiana University, and I know I'm going to learn so much more, change so much more and become the adult the I need to be.

College is the perfect time to discover who you are. I grew up in a very small town--one of those towns where literally everyone knows everyone. All of the adults knew who all of the students were and everyone knew everyone else's families and personalities. I loved where I grew up, but you can see how discovering and changing who I was became a hard task. By moving to Bloomington and taking a huge step at IU, I was able to take the time for me that I really needed. I made some crazy changes, I dialed it back a bit and then I found who I truly was. And this was all because I went to college at Indiana University, a place where everyone is accepted.

You can discover yourself too. You can be whoever you want, live the life you've always dreamed of and take the necessary steps to get where you want to be. If you have a clear sense of who you are, you're going to be happier in life, as well as be able to make others happy.

In the corporate world, understanding yourself is known as understanding your personal brand. Defining your personal brand will make you more appealing to employers.You'll also appear more put together, confident and ready to tackle the world. If you want to really define yourself (or even redefine yourself like I did) then there are some questions you need to answer and keep in mind. I'm going to list some of my favorite defining questions, but you can find more here.

Even though you want to stay 100% true to yourself, you can still look at others for inspiration. Who motivates you? Who's qualities do you wish you had for yourself? Take note of this person's characteristics and mimic them in your own way. I know I will always have a girl crush on Ariana Grande-- I love her personality and spunk and what she stands for.

This is one of my favorite defining questions. Taking the time to write out my goals allows me to visually see what I think is important in life. For example, if you write a goal that says "spend more time with family," then this goes to show just how important you think family should be. One of my goals almost every year is to run more. I know that my health is an important and in turn it has become a defining factor of who I am.

The way that I wanted to define who I was differed from the way others used to define me. By changing and growing in college, I learned who I was and what I wanted others to think of me. I figured out how I wanted others to describe me and the adjectives that best defined who I was. Figure out what those adjectives are for you and make sure everyone sees you in that light.

Welcome Class of 2019! You're about to embark on the GREATEST 4 years of your life (to date). With this new chapter about to start, many of you may be excited, nervous, anxious, about notorious dorm life. By now, you all have your dorm and roommate assignments and are frantically creating lists of decorating ideas. Here's the low down on some dorm life myths:

Dorms are as dirty as you make them. IU has custodians take out trash, clean the bathrooms and vacuum community spaces every day. That being said, your dorm is your own responsibility. Some useful cleaning supplies: swiffer sweeper (with wet pads), Clorox wipes, all-purpose cleaning spray, dish washing soap and sponge, and don't forget Febreeze to get rid of those *interesting* scents!

Tip #1: Clean up messes right after they happen (i.e. wipe up spills and at least soak your dishes after you eat), it'll make your life 10 times easier, I swear.

Tip #2: Put a reminder in your phone to clean some things regularly (i.e. wash your sheets and covers, vacuum), DON'T BE THE KID WHO DOESN'T WASH HIS SHEETS THE ENTIRE YEAR. IT'S GROSS.

Dorms at IU are pretty darn big compared to most schools! I remember touring Villanova University in Pennsylvania, the doubles were practically half the size of the doubles in McNutt (the standard double size at IU, Eigenmann has HUGE ones). I found that my room was pretty spacious and you can rearrange furniture (depending on your dorm) to maximize space. Two of my best friends fit their built-in desks, built-in closets, bunked beds, futon, mini-fridge, TV and gaming systems, really comfortably. And the closets are big too, I've got A LOT of clothes and I fit them all in there. 

Tip #1: Don't use floor space, think vertically! Coffee maker on top of the microwave on top of the mini-fridge, my roommate and I kept our luggage bags under the bed, and at least in McNutt there was storage room above the closets and built-in shelving behind the door. Make use of what you have!

Tip #2: Try it out without a futon/TV if you can. There's always going to be someone on your floor with a great set-up that you can befriend (aka me with my friends from ^^^). If you end up wanting your own, Target is super close to campus!

All in all, dorm life is not bad! You learn to love it! Even if it seems like the worst part of college is living (sharing) a tiny space, don't fret about it. The RAs do an amazing job at fostering a family on your floor and work together with each other to create community in the whole dorm. By the time the end of second semester nears, you'll start to realize how convenient dorm life really is. Some of your best friends are going to live ten feet away from you compared to sophomore year where every one lives in different apartment complexes or Greek housing. You'll always have someone to eat dinner (using almighty meal points) with. You've got people cleaning up after (most of) your messes. And at the end of the day, you're going through it together, embrace the experience, dorm life is awesome! 

Next door neighbors and best friends!

Scope the RPS (Residential Programs and Services) housing site here. And feel free to comment about any other concerns!

What do you think of when you hear the term RA (resident assistant)? Rules, quiet hours and sucking the fun out of college. Yes, RAs must enforce the rules, but they act as much more and can make your freshman year that much better. I work as an RA in McNutt, and while you don’t need to be best friends with your RA, many residents fail to fully take advantage of all their RA can offer. Your RA is the go to person for everyone on your floor—don’t waste what they could possibly offer to you.

So your RA studies business, but you dream of performing open heart surgery. They can’t possibly help you with homework, class selection or career advice, right? What if I told you I can introduce you to a pre-med senior applying to some of the best med schools in the country? Or someone working to become a dentist? How about someone who has taken all of the classes you need to take over the next two years and can talk about applying to graduate school? What about for journalism, psychology or history? Yup. Informatics, music or economics? You bet. Your RA knows people all across campus in almost every major through friends, co-workers or group projects from freshman gen-ed classes. RAs don’t always know the answer, but they almost always know someone who does.

RAs don’t sit around memorizing lists of campus events for you and your friends to attend, but it might as well be that way. RAs receive tons of fliers promoting events around campus and are in touch with many people promoting events via word of mouth. Not every event will interest you, but odds are your RA knows or can find out about the event you’re looking for.

Almost everyone takes calculus, microeconomics, introductory writing and other similar courses at IU, and your RA probably remembers a thing or two from those classes. RAs generally have their lives together and do fairly well in school. It never hurts to ask your RA who lives three doors down about your tricky calculus homework before packing up your bags to visit office hours across campus.

Guess what IU pays RAs to do? Help you. With anything. Your RA can help you work through problems with your roommate/friends, schools, family or almost any other life event. Think of your RA like a counselor. And if your RA doesn’t know how to help you with a particular situation, they are still available to just sit and listen if you need someone to talk to in confidence. RAs tend to be perceptive about what’s bothering their residents, but they don’t know everything. If you have a problem or situation that needs attention, don’t wait for your RA to suspect a problem. Reach out, RAs want to help.

As fun as sitting in your dorm room sleeping, studying and watching Netflix is, you’ll want to get up and do something with your time at IU. And even more than potential boredom, future employers don’t look too kindly on students who did nothing other than study in college. Join some clubs, take part in charitable activities, compete in academic related competitions or whatever suits your interest. But how do you find these clubs/events and make sure to become involved? Other than looking for fliers and sidewalk chalking around campus, RAs know plenty of organizations to join. Look around your floor for fliers related to clubs on campus or ask your RA what clubs they are apart of. RAs do much more than study and work as a RA and can show you some of the clubs they or their friends enjoy. And if the club is selective such as social or professional fraternities/sororities, IU’s O-Team (orientation guides) or club sports, odds are your RA has a connection that may assist you in becoming involved. 

To say I am a picky eater would be an understatement. Imagine the little toddler that refuses to eat anything that is put in front of them and that will give you the general idea. That combined with being a vegetarian made me a little nervous to be dependent on dining hall food.

Being a vegetarian on campus can be a big challenge. At first glance most of the dishes served have meat or are just unhealthy in general. My freshman year I fell into a bad habit of eating all frozen meals from the c-store because I didn’t want to waste time going to the food courts if there was nothing there for me to eat. Looking back that was a big mistake (the freshman 15 is real). But fear not! Last year (my junior year) I had a meal plan again and decided that I was going to find healthy, satisfying options at the dining halls to fit my vegetarian lifestyle.

Grocery shop at Union Street

• Union Street Market, inside the center building of Union Street Apartments, is my favorite dining location on campus. It is a healthy version of the c-store and I go there at least twice a week. I stock up on KIND granola bars, packets of almond butter, organic soup, cheese sticks, hummus, and lots of Chobani greek yogurt. There is always some sort of fresh fruit in stock- strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries are a few that they frequently have! I love having food in my room that I can easily make a meal out of. It saves me time and I know I have something good to eat anytime hunger strikes.
• Union Street is also known for their paninis and wraps. They have a couple vegetarian options on their menu or there is always the option to build your own!

Mix and Match

• Often times my friends make fun of the random conglomeration of food items that I put on my tray to make up a meal. But when most of the entrees include meat, you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do. Don’t be afraid to get sides from different stations to make up a full meal. Or eat breakfast food for any meal. One of my favorite go-to meals is a whole wheat bagel and yogurt from Wright Food Court. I’m probably a bad vegetarian because I haven’t visited the one food court that is known for serving food meant for me! The Edmondson Dining Room at Collins is known for having vegetarian/vegan options at every meal; I just sadly have not had a chance to eat there. You should definitely check it out! Just be sure to check their hours because unlike the other dining halls they are only open for a couple hours a day.

Customize

• One great thing about the IU dining halls is the ability to make almost any meal your own. This makes things a lot easier and opens up lots of options to make meatless meals. The Restaurants at Woodland, aka Forest, has endless possibilities. Well maybe not endless….but not bad! They have an amazing salad bar, build your own pasta bowls and some vegetarian sandwich options.

It may seem like the dining halls are against you, but it is possible to live happily as a vegetarian while on a meal plan! Don’t be afraid to experiment and find out what works for you. Bloomington is a very vegetarian friendly city and if you want to go off campus there are many great restaurants around! Good luck and enjoy living the vegetarian life at IU! 

Check out the menu and hours for all of the dining halls here! 

College is full of unfamiliar territory. You find yourself confronted with choosing a perfect major, making new friends and growing as an adult. Exploring what IU’s campus has to offer is a fantastic way to get out of your comfort zone and see what’s right for you.

I’m writing this article to share my experience of joining a sorority and eventually dropping. Hopefully this can serve as a guide to help decide if going Greek is right for you. 

I’ll address some of the major responsibilities of joining a sorority:

As a sorority member, you will be spending a lot of time at events. There will be organized sisterhood events, chapter meetings (typically Sunday nights) and random events that the Greek system as a whole encourages sorority members to attend. I would estimate about 10-15 hours a week dedicated to the sorority. A lot of people will tell you you’ll be fine balancing school, work, other organizations you may be involved in and the sorority. I would say that is kinda BS. A lot of sorority members do manage to somehow find time for all of these things, while others don’t have many other responsibilities, like a job. At times you will feel overwhelmed by the time commitment, it can be very frustrating to sit through a three hour meeting on a Sunday night when you have homework waiting for you and an 8 am to attend in the morning. To balance being in a sorority, it must be the extracurricular activity that takes priority. I would recommend a sorority to someone who may be looking for a packed social schedule, getting really involved with campus activities and who has a large amount of free time. These are all necessary to being a good member. I would not recommend it if you like to do your own thing, rarely attend social events and have a job where you want/need to work more than 10-15 hours a week.

Maybe, you’re here on scholarship. Or maybe you work to put yourself through school. Or maybe you just like having some extra spending cash. If you’re interested in sorority life, expect to spend some money. I underestimated the amount of money I would be spending, and this turned out to be a big reason for my disaffiliation. If you join an unhoused chapter, expect to spend around $400 to 700 a semester on dues. If you are housed, your dues will range from about $8,000-10,000 a year. Dues are membership fees for joining a sorority. They include money for events, formals, outings, clothes and much more. The general idea is that you get your money back through these events and things, but a lot of it goes straight to headquarters. There are also alumni dues you'll have to pay after graduation. I had major issues with money while in a sorority because there are a lot of hidden fees you aren’t warned about if you're unfamiliar with Greek life. You may have to buy required clothing, make required philanthropy donations, or buy tickets for various Greek events. Not to mention, the time commitment may limit you from working as often as necessary to pay for all the extras...which is ironic because how else you are paying for the sorority? Bottom line - I wouldn’t recommend joining a sorority if you don't have extra money to spend throughout the semester. It's a HUGE financial obligation. If you want to go Greek, budget your money to have at least an extra 100 or 200 dollars on top of the amount of dues to spend on the sorority each semester. 

Joining a sorority is about becoming part of an organized group. You will be giving up some of your freedoms. There is an executive board who essentially organizes events and a standards board for enforcing the rules set for the sorority. It's all about holding each other to a high standard. This includes being fined for not attending mandatory events, logging study hours each week, or being highly encouraged to participate in events like IUDM. There are expectations to handle yourself responsibly at parties and not post photos of yourself drinking on social media. There is a mindset of shared responsibility: if someone represents the sorority in a negative light, everyone gets lectured.

However, in any club or organization there has to be some structure. I found the politics of sororities really tiring after a while, but others get really involved and embrace the system. These rules set in place could help you become more responsible and organized. It is important to recognize the trade offs when giving up some of your freedoms when entering a sorority.

IU has a large Greek system. A lot of people are concerned about the negative stereotypes of Greek life. I’ll be honest, some are true and others aren’t. It really depends. There is a materialistic aspect of sororities for sure. I felt it was a system that encouraged spending money and didn’t really offer many resources to those who couldn’t do that. People often judge the “top” chapters based on attractiveness of their members. There is pressure to look good so that fraternities will think of your sorority highly. There is also the social scene. Parties are frequent and you’re encouraged to go so that fraternities like your chapter. I didn’t like this at all. There’s likely going to be points of drama and gossip in the sorority. This is minimized by a strong sisterhood, but it happens.There are also awesome things you can find in a sorority, like close friendships and networking connections for jobs. Sorority members have also been some of the most driven people I’ve met. It is also really comforting that you can always find someone to meet up with for frozen yogurt, and if you need help, you have a huge support system of people who are there for you. If you are looking to get involved with Little 5, IUDM or other philanthropy events then Greek life is right up your alley. A lot of people also feel that joining Greek life makes campus a little bit smaller for them. 

Now that you’ve read this, hopefully you’ll have a better understanding of the expectations after joining a sorority. Enjoy your time at IU, and whether you go Greek or remain independent, know that you’ll always be a Hoosier not matter what your choice. And that’s all that matters.

• So You Want to Join a Sorority? What You Should Do First Semester
• Sorority Recruitment: Why I Decided Against It
• The Sorority Recruitment Experience

If you've chosen IU as your home for the next four years, you've probably been to campus at least once and taken a tour led by some really energetic, excited, IU-lovin' Hoosier on the A-Team. If you love IU and want to share your experiences and convince prospective students to choose the greatest school EVER, consider joining our family! 

A-Team is the student organization that puts on tours, presentations and hosts special admission events like Red Carpet Day. Directed by students, we work together with the Office of Admissions to grow the Hoosier Nation and bring in the best of the best students to campus. 

• Become part of a family.
• Interact with future students and parents. 
• Give back to IU.
• Networking opportunity (parents of future students are always impressed - we get internship and job offers!!!!)
• You learn more about school tradition and history and what it means to be an Indiana University Hoosier.
• A-Team fun stuff: Ice Cream Crawl, Tour Guide Olympics, and Senior Send-Off
• Free IU gear!

Keep an eye out for call-out meetings! We recruit once every semester. If you decide you want to join after the info session, there's a first round mingling session (to see how you interact) and then a second round interview with our student directors and Office of Admissions staff. If you are selected, you'll start training and you'll become a part of an amazing group of people!

Check out other WeAreIU articles by A-Team members here! 

Check out other student organizations here!

Hello biz kids!!! Whether you're a direct or standard admit, reluctant business major by parental force or a future School of Business celebrity, welcome to the Kelley life!

Hodge Hall aka your home whether you like it or not. 

Right now, the members of Class of 2019 are attending the beautiful thing that is IU orientation. At orientation, you choose your first semester classes. Kelley has a set curriculum that lines up basically all of your freshman and sophomore year classes to prepare you for I-Core. So what are those classes like and which ones should you take at the same time? Keep reading!

Learn all about Microsoft Excel and Access! A notorious weed-out class so don't be discouraged if you struggle. IU provides free tutoring services if you need it! This was one of my favorite classes freshman year and it pushed me to pursue a Business Analytics co-major!

Microeconomics is all about supply and demand, market efficiency and things of that sort. I think economics is one of those things you either get...or you don't. And I don't. I struggled A LOT with E201. But like I said, IU provides free tutoring as do various student organizations AND your professors hold office hours for help outside of class time. Hey, I don't have to retake it so yay me!

People with stage fright, you'll be okay! You'll learn how to utilize visual aids and improve your speaking skills. You'll end the course with a Macy's case competition that could send you to NYC! Pretty easy class, do what you're told and you'll do great!

Kelley's way of saying: You are working so hard, here's 1.5 credits of easy A! Learn about what it means to have a personal brand and be an individual in the business world!

Probably the most notorious class at IU. Finite is a combination of probability and torture by numbers. It's extremely likely you'll find this class difficult, and even more likely that you will hate it with the very core of your soul and consider it the bane of your existence. Good news is: I hated it, and still got an A. Study hard, go to class and get extra help if necessary. I BELIEVE IN YOU.

Calculus. The other freshman math class. It's math. Some people are better at it than others. Shadowed in Finite's reputation for misery, but quite awful all the same. Same thing, just do what you need to do and you'll be A-okay :)

Another weed-out class. You're gonna learn all about the basics of GAAP, balance sheets and taxes. 50% of the class drops after the midterm and retakes the course. I know that sounds terrifying but listen, A100 is only taught by the angel Prof Vivian Winston. Viv is the nicest woman alive and will do anything for you to understand basic accounting. Take advantage of the peer tutoring available and PAY ATTENTION in class. I swear why 50% of people fail the midterm is because they just don't listen to Viv's wealth of knowledge. 

If I could redo my freshman year schedule of business pre-reqs, this is how I'd do it:

1st semester (or switched): K201, M118, C104, T175

2nd semester (or switched): A100, E201, M119

You're probably very VERY overwhelmed right now. But breathe, grab some water, it'll all be okay! This is a very general course plan and you'll have 2-4 other classes along with the above. Everyone is gonna be better at certain classes, and many of you are coming in with credits that will put you ahead of other students. These are just suggestions and my personal opinions; consult your academic advisor at orientation for more help!

DISCLAIMER: As nerdy and crazy in love with Kelley as I sound (and am), believe it or not, I did not always love KSB. I remember in the first weeks of freshman year, with 5/6 classes being Kelley pre-requisites, I was miserable. I believe that you should love what you do and do what you love and I was NOT loving my classes. If you find yourself in a similar situation where you don't love your course of study, take my advice:

PERSEVERE. I couldn't imagine where I would be if I had switched out of Kelley. I lived in the KLLC for goodness sake. After some long conversations with my parents and friends, they convinced me to stick it out through first semester. And I'm so glad they did. *I would suggest sticking it out through all of freshman year if you can. First semester tends to be hectic and a big transition period for everyone. Second semester, you'll have the hang of balancing school and your social life (statement backed by everyone I know).
But know yourself. Like I said, I'm a big believer in "love what you do," and if you know you're not going to love business or whatever you're studying for that matter, don't put yourself through four years (or more) of it! It's not worth it. 

Read Henry's article about your first year of Kelley here!

Learn more about undergraduate studies in Kelley here! Find more specifically on freshman year studies here!

Learn more about allllll the schools and departments at IU here!

Best of luck to all prospective Kelleys! Embrace everything KSB has to offer and take advantage of all the opportunities. Go from Moment to Momentum.

Hopefully the residents and townies of Bloomington are not completely drenched in sweat from this scorching summer heat (I know I am because Texas is basically an inferno in the summer). I'll be visiting my favorite college town in July and I can't wait to take in that college town feeling again.

But we have more important things to discuss.

What's next for Miller? (Besides working as a full time nanny)

I've already gone through choosing classes (THOUGH THE SCHEDULING OFFICE KEEPS MESSING IT UP)

And I basically have a full, authentic college year under my belt. So what could possibly go wrong?

Everything.

So I've decided to write myself a letter, to read in the future, that can be applied to any one going into another year of college - because honestly, I still don't know what I'm doing.

Here it goes.

Dear My Sophomore Self,

School is back in session. College football is about to start, hopefully you've moved into the sorority house (peace luv alpha gams!!!) and you are ready to embark on your second year of IU! Maybe culturefest won't be as hot (doubt it) and you might actually make the career fair (ha)! But I want to give you a list of things to keep in mind as you hustle through this year, because it's still an uphill journey until you graduate.

• Please take care of yourself. Go to the gym regularly, opt to walk to class (but plz take the B bus back home, no one wants to walk up Jordan ever). Stay healthy because a happy Miller is the best thing money can't buy.
• Also, enjoy the little things. Trips to the Crimson Creamery (HOLLA), random trips to Target to buy stupid stuff (a personal fav), or a spontaneous trip to Griffy Lake for hiking (not in the winter though that's like a death wish).
• Boys can wait. That pit in your stomach when he doesn't text you back, it shouldn't be there. No one should be able to control you like that.
• School is hard but it's so worth it. You're getting the best education (both academic and music) and it's going to be so satisfying to say "I made it" on graduation day.
• You're only in college once. Be stupid sometimes.
• "Nobody can ever make you feel inferior without your consent." -Eleanor Roosevelt 
• Just because someone is an authority figure does not mean they are competent or right. You are an adult, they are an adult. You both deserve the same amount of respect.
• Know your limits. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do - and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
• Look for new music always. Go to more concerts, see more of your friends play.
• Cultivate friendships. This is where you're making the best connections, and you will be so happy when you have friends in abundance after college.
• Watch what you're spending. Your parents are not made of money, and neither are you.
• Kindness is the only thing that matters. Be nice to everyone. 
• It's better to be worth-knowing than well-known.
• Make memories that your kids will be happy to hear.
• Take lots of pictures. Take pictures of your friends. Take pictures of sunsets. Take pictures of your food (not for Instagram,but for yourself). Take pictures of everything. Because decades from now you will be so happy you did.

I wish you the best of luck this year! It's going to be awesome!

ILY,

Milldog

There’s nothing much worse than that Bloomington heat and humidity in the early fall and late spring months of the school year. If you’re living on campus in Collins, Wright or Read, you’ll be experiencing this heat firsthand, as these buildings do not have air-conditioned rooms. Here’s a few tips and tricks to staying cool!

The number one thing you need to survive the heat is definitely water. You will sweat a lot, and staying hydrated is of the utmost importance! Buying cases of water bottles from Kroger and storing the bottles in your fridge is always an option, but you can always buy a nice IU themed reusable water bottle from the IU Bookstore or TIS Bookstore. There are plenty of water fountains around campus and in the dorms to refill! Gatorade and other electrolyte replacing drinks are also a good option.

Fans are a must-have when you don’t have air conditioning. Box fans to stick in the window are always a good idea, as well as the little clip-on ones that come in handy while you’re studying or sleeping. Basically, the more fans you have, the better. Just don’t forget to bring surge-protectors to plug them all into!

One of my biggest struggles living without AC was that I was so hot that I barely wanted to eat. I was really sluggish and tired, which was all an effect of eating badly and/or not enough. Get those vitamins, nutrients, and proteins, even if it’s in small increments throughout the day. Fruit, yogurt and cold sandwiches were some of my favorite healthy options.

If you have the option to open your windows, do it! The air outside usually cools down a lot after the sun sets, so leaving the windows open along with having fans running really helps to get some cooler air circulating around your room. Keeping the door open also assists in keeping air moving throughout your room and through the building.

Wearing light cottons or dresses helps to keep you cool. Sports bras and shorts were basically all that my roommate and I wore for the first few weeks of the first semester around our room. Just keep it as light as possible. It’s really simple, but it helps!

Ice cream, smoothies and other frozen treats are a great and tasty way to keep cool. RPS dining such as Bloomingberry offer frozen yogurt and smoothies to keep you cool all year round. You can also purchase different kinds of ice cream at the C-stores around campus.

I thought my mom was insane when she suggested this last year, but putting damp washcloths in your mini-fridge and taking them out a few hours later to place on your neck, face or to just overall cool off your skin feels amazing and really does keep you cool for a bit. Also, cold showers are a go-to, especially before bed.

It’s a good idea to try to spend a good portion of the day somewhere that has air-conditioning. Hang out at a friend’s dorm or go to the library for a few hours. Some of the un-air conditioned dorms have areas that do have AC. For example, the rooms in Read don’t have AC, but the lounges and the center desk/lobby area do. Most buildings on campus do have air, so take advantage of them. It’s a lot easier to study when you aren’t so concerned about how sweaty and hot you are.

The first few weeks are kind of brutal, and it takes a few days to get used to sleeping in the heat, but the nights are relatively cool and the heat isn’t there to stay. By the time Welcome Week is over you'll be a pro at living without AC. At about mid-September and early October the heat dies down and you’re free from it until the end of spring semester. Before you know it, you'll be taking on the chilly winter and almost wishing for the heat!

Last August, I was ready to start my freshman year and I had bought and packed every last thing I thought I could possibly need for my dorm room, Tetris-style, into our mini-van. By the end of Welcome Week I discovered that there were quite a few things I didn’t know I would need, and a lot that I didn’t need at all. Here’s some suggestions based on my experience as to what you need for you dorm room and what you really do not!

The basics.

You are obviously going to need the basic dorm necessities: bedding, a shower caddy, shower shoes, towels, a laundry basket and soap of some sort, personal items, toiletries, etc. 

A (functioning) laptop.

This may be pretty obvious, but I can’t stress it enough. I’m in love with my MacBook Air, but I watched tons of other people have issues with their computers during stressful points of the year. A lot of assignments and such are turned in on a timed schedule through Canvas, and it makes it really hard to make sure everything is getting done on time if you are having terrible computer problems or are having to find an open computer on campus at strange hours to finish homework.

Fans.

I lived in a dorm that didn’t have AC, so fans were a must-have. Check out your dorm here after getting your room assignment to see if you have air conditioning. Even if you do have air conditioning in your building, a clip-on fan is never a bad idea, especially for sleeping.

Extension cords and surge protectors.

You have a limited number of outlets in your room, so surge protectors and extension cords are important. They give you a lot of extra room to plug things in and extension cords are especially helpful if you have a lofted bed or outlets are far from your bed or desk.

Anti-wrinkle spray/a steamer.

Let’s face it, mom isn’t around to bother us about keeping our clothes hung in the closet, or in my case, to keep me from leaving clean laundry unfolded in a basket for days on end. Things get wrinkled. Very wrinkled. I bought a mini steamer from Bed Bath and Beyond before coming to school and it saved me on multiple occasions. Downy anti-wrinkle spray is also really helpful to straighten out t-shirts and other quick-fix articles of clothing.

Hangers.

If you live in a dorm with closets, having a ton of hangers is a necessity. Hanging your clothes keeps them out of the way and keeps them from getting wrinkled. You can even buy special ones that are created to give you the most closet space possible.

Extra storage.

Having extra space to store things is a lifesaver and keeps your room more clean and organized. I had a three-drawer plastic storage container that was great for keeping little personal items like makeup, lotions and medicine/first aid items organized. I also had a couple of cool-colored crates that kept my t-shirts, shoes, food and electronics organized.

Medicine/first aid supplies.

Within the first two weeks of classes I had the worst allergy flare up. I quickly realized that I didn’t have anything to help fight it off and had to make a trip to the mall to get something. I’d recommend keeping cold meds, cough drops, some kind of pain reliever (Tylenol, Aspirin), allergy meds if you need them and then a little first aid kit with Band-Aids, antibiotic ointment, and anything else you could possibly need so you aren’t having to run out and get something you really need while sick or hurt.

Stain Remover.

I wish I had a total count of the number of Tide Stain Sticks I went through last year. I used them on my clothes, my bedding, and occasionally the carpet. You may not be as clumsy as I am, but it really came in handy to have some around.

Office supplies.

You are going to school, so you do need some school supplies. Definitely do not forget pens, pencils, scissors and tape. Also, command strips were really useful when my roommate and I needed to hang pictures, posters or anything else around our room. You don’t want to damage the walls or furniture; those come in handy, trust me! A planner is also relatively useful, you can use your phone calendar, but a physical one really helped me to keep assignments and activities straight.

Lighting.

Fluorescent lighting can be pretty harsh sometimes, and that’s what you’ll be getting in most dorm rooms. Desks generally have some sort of lamp (at least mine did), but they may not work or be up to your expectations. Buy a desk lamp if you plan on being up late working, a clip-on lamp if you plan to be up reading in bed, or as my roommate and I did, put Christmas lights up around the entirety of your room for a lower lighting that is still bright enough to sleep or work under.

Personal items that feel like home.

Don’t keep your favorite blanket, stuffed animal or every picture of your past life at home because you feel like you’re “too old” for them. We’re all big kids, but it’s nice to have something that reminds you of home in your room.

Other Odds and ends.

I would recommend getting a full-length mirror for your room, as most have one, but you may be fighting over it with your roommate if you have similar wake-up times. Basic cleaning products are always useful, it’s nice to have disinfectant wipes around to clean up messes or to wipe away your sick roommate’s germs. Air freshener is great for the times that your room just smells a little off, or when the hallway smells like something you wouldn’t want seeping into your room. We had a wallflower plug-in and loved it. Don’t forget a duffle bag or suitcase to bring home for breaks! And rain gear is a must.

Dishes.

I brought a few plates, cups, mugs and silverware thinking I would use them all the time. Realistically, I used them until I had nothing clean left and then bought paper plates and plastic silverware and waited forever to wash everything. Just get disposable dishware; it’s a lot easier and a lot less work. I do suggest maybe bringing a mug or a reusable water bottle though (you can get an IU themed one from the IU Bookstore!), just in case you want to make hot chocolate and so you always have a way to keep water.

Fridge.

This may sound insane, but my roommate and I really didn’t use our fridge much. As a matter of fact, ours broke before Thanksgiving Break and we didn’t get a new one until after Spring Break just because we didn’t really miss it that much. A fridge is convenient for storing drinks and the occasional frozen food or leftover pizza, but it’s not extremely necessary.

TV.

In this day and age, we can all watch almost anything on our laptops. I highly recommend investing in Netflix! TVs are expensive and take up a lot of space in your room. They are, however, great if you are bringing a video game system to school with you.

All of your clothes.

You may come into school thinking you’re going to look amazing every day and that you need every season of clothing with you in Bloomington just in case the weather changes and it might fit in with your outfit. At least that was my mentality, and boy was I wrong, Bring seasonal clothes and switch them out at breaks, it really saves you space and you won’t possibly be able to wear everything. Also, leave all your t-shirts at home! Bring a few favorites and leave the rest, you’ll end up with so many free t-shirts that you won’t know what to do with all of them.

A ton of food.

It’s definitely nice to have some food in your room to snack on, maybe some chips, granola/breakfast bars, the occasional microwave mac&cheese and a few of your favorite treats will do. Making a grocery store trip and stocking up on food isn’t necessary when you live in a dorm, there are plenty of dining options on campus that will be covered by your meal plan.

Coffeemaker.

As an avid hot chocolate and tea lover with a coffee obsessed roommate, I bought a Keurig coffee maker for our room. We used it on occasion, but realistically you can get coffee in the cafes and dining halls all over campus. There is even a Starbucks in the Union.

Your entire collection of books/CDs/movies.

I had a big problem with this one. I’m a big reader and I wanted to have all of my favorite books with me at school. I brought them all with me, but immediately regretted it, as they took up a ton of space. I’m as big a fan of real books as anyone else, but investing in a Kindle was a great idea, and can actually save you some money if you buy digital textbooks as well. You can find a lot of movies online, and the same goes for CDs.

Extra furniture.

A lot of people find out too late that they don’t need or have room for that futon. We had a few extra chairs hanging around our room that really were just taking up space. Realistically the only place you’ll be sitting is your bed or your desk chair.

Cash.

It’s a good idea to have a little bit of emergency cash on you, but a debit card is a much easier way to carry money. You can also load money onto your Campus Access card to use at local food places such as Pizza X and many of the restaurants on Kirkwood.

Here and here are some other great packing and dorm need posts from other WeAreIU writers! 

First of all, let me just say - breakfast food >>>>>> any other food. And as far as Btown eats go, Village Deli is THE PLACE to get breakfast food. Some people will argue that the Runcible Spoon is better, but don't listen to them. RS is good, but VD is great. Beyond great. It's a gift. 

Why is The Village Deli so great you ask? Why is the sky blue? Why do we love Yogi Ferrell? IT JUST IS WHAT IT IS. *actually, the sky is blue because of science or something, but regardless.

1. BOMB grub. Like, you can close your eyes and just point at the menu because it's all good. Personal favorites include: 

• Breakfast Burrito
• Spinach Scramble
• Pancake (singular, they are MASSIVE)
• 1/2 order of French toast and an order of Paxton's Potatoes (spuds covered in cheese and gravy)

2. Diner coffee. I’ll admit, diner coffee is not the highest quality. But you’re trading quality for quantity. One cheap mug = unlimited refills to accompany your delicious meal. It’s a part of the charm of the Deli. Good coffee wouldn’t feel right.
3. Breakfast served all day. This is pretty self-explanatory. Breakfast for breakfast. Breakfast for lunch. Breakfast for dinner.

Deli is a good choice whether your parents are in town, you had a rough Friday night or you're just sick of dorm food. 

One last thing…IT’S BUSY. This isn’t just popular with IU students, The Village Deli is a Bloomington favorite. You’re gonna have the whole town waiting for a table come breakfast/brunch time. Every day, but especially Saturday mornings - come early or wait in line! 

Note: my personal weekly record is four times in one week. This is probably definitely unhealthy and took a small fortune (in college student standards) out of my bank account. But, oh so worth the calories and funds.

Live Deli. Love Deli. Just go to Deli already. I'll see you there.

Scope their website here.

McNutt. The Nutt House. Whether you want to live in McNutt or not, you’ve no doubt heard of its reputation. Those looking to party envision McNutt as the best party around while those on the other end of the spectrum look at McNutt fearful of not being able to sleep or study in peace. But let me tell you: it’s not what you think.

I lived in McNutt during my freshman year. Moving from home to the dorm seems imposing, but McNutt proved to be the perfect place for me to transition to college. Yes, we had fun. I met some of my best friends in McNutt as we went out together on weekends, pranked everyone on our floor and may have held an indoor Little 500 race on actual bicycles in mid-February. But we also worked through homework together, studied for finals together and worked our way into honors programs together. Yes, McNutt has its fun, but McNutt also provides an environment to achieve. Without further ado, get to know the best dorm on campus (I’m a little biased).

McNutt sits at 1101 N. Fee Lane, just north of 13th Street. Confused as to where that is? How about this: a 5-7 minute walk from the Kelley School of Business, the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA), the psychology building and Assembly Hall. A 10 minute walk from the geology building, the informatics building and Memorial Stadium. None of that interests you? How about a 10 minute walk to either the Student Recreational Sports Center or the IU Health Center, across the street from outdoor basketball and tennis courts, down the street from the outdoor pool and next to two other residence halls (Briscoe and Foster) so you can meet/make more friends.

Every floor in McNutt is co-ed except for one. Yes, guys and girls live next to each other. Each floor has nine distinct bathrooms each with a toilet, sink and shower. Everyone shares these nine bathrooms, but when you’re using that bathroom, you get it all to yourself. Each floor also has a lounge at the end of the hall with a TV, tables and couches to use for studying or hanging out with friends.

Best. Food. Period. McNutt has its own small shop for food, similar to a convenience store, but better than any you’ve ever been to. Weekly meal selections such as quesadillas, pasta, BLTs, Thai food, wings, French toast, pancakes, omelets and breakfast sandwiches: to die for. Does it have coffee, you ask? Not just coffee, Starbucks. How about chips and drinks and cereal and pastries and frozen meals and fruit and candy? Yes to all. You never have to eat a meal outside of your dorm.

Double rooms at McNutt are roughly 10’x15’: not the biggest you’ve ever seen, but more than enough room to live comfortably. McNutt offers a handful of singles and triples, but for the most part you’ll have a roommate. In addition to beds, you’ll find two built-in-wall desks with four drawers a piece, two built-in-wall closets with sliding doors and overhead storage and a small, movable bookshelf. Most people opt to bunk or L-loft their bed to open up more space, but leaving both beds to stand alone is also an option and provides more storage space under your bed (if you go this route, buy bed risers for even more space). Regardless, invest in the plastic drawers from Target, Wal-Mart, etc. to ensure you stay organized throughout the year. No one wants to hang out in your messy room.

The Kelley Living Learning Center comprised of only business focused students, whether direct admits or not. Students living in the KLLC take a class together each semester, attend personal development seminars and lectures from successful people in business and put on a variety of events to build their community. The KLLC occupies 10 of McNutt’s 26 floors.If interested, you must fill out an application and write a brief essay to be considered. I lived in the KLLC during my freshman year and would recommend it to students both set on studying business and those curious about business.

In addition to everything above, McNutt also offers its residents two computer labs, an assortment of classrooms, a small library for renting books or movies (mostly movies), two musical practice rooms and a full-service front desk including mail delivery and lock-out assistance.

All-nighters. I never pulled one in high school, but I probably got too comfortable with them in my first year of college. I don't think I can count on both hands the number of nights I got absolutely no sleep and consequently hated myself the next day. This is an approximate account of what many of those nights and following mornings were like.

• 12:00 AM: till practically daytime for me. Probably was doing homework (or binge watching Netflix), but watching the clock as my usual bed time nears...

• 1:00 AM: Eh, should probably go to bed, but I mean, I'm used to going to sleep around 2, there's practically no point in trying right now because I won't even fall asleep. I could take melatonin, but like do I really need the extra hour? No. 

• 2:00 AM: Agh, I remember when I went to bed at 11 in high school. Why do I do this to myself every day? Rock-a-bye Clara on the top bunk, you are so stupid, you really screwed up (for the 48th night in a row).

• 2:01 AM: *enter friends and company* How did you even get in here, there's a key swipe...

• 2:02 AM: Um pls go away, I am trying to get beauty rest. ​

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• 2:03 AM: Well, I guess a Steak n' Shake run can't hurt. Peanut butter milkshakes make you more tired right?

• 2:30 AM: *add to Snapchat story photo of my un-amused reaction to the Steak n' Shake drive-thru line*
• 2:40 AM: bumpin' Missy Elliot as loud as the speakers go #HaterzGonHate
• 2:45 AM: *add to Snapchat story photo of me worshipping my PB milkshake*
• 3:00 AM: *return from Steak n' Shake trip that took 50 years* Oh my God I was supposed to be asleep an hour ago.

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• 3:15 AM: HAHAHAHAHA SUGAR HIGH! Everything is funny!!!!!!!!!!

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• 4:00 AM: Snapchat story is currently 85 seconds long, many of them being photos with the time stamp. Includes photos of floor mate wrapped in toilet paper, terrorizing studious people in the lounge.

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• 5:00 AM: Ugh, friends went to bed. The gym opens in one hour! I'll just drink coffee now, do my pre-lab for K201, pump some iron and be super productive the rest of the day! I AM GREAT. WOW. 

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• 5:15 AM: Feeling. Weak. Eyes. Heavy. Must. Persevere. *sets timer for 5 minutes, power nap*
• 5:20 AM: I'M AWAKE.

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• 5:30 AM: I'm feeling pretty decent. Sleep is for the weak. Lol @ "necessary for human survival."
• 5:45 AM: Oh. My. God. *falls in to bed with clothes still on and passes out*
• 9:00 AM: sldfjewiofdsbjrhowrwaodf. Help me Lord of Caffeine. *hair up, sweats on, drags body to class, add to Snap story while walking to class: All-nighter. LET'S GO! (but really my face is like no)*

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• 9:31 AM: *add to snap story: #NoSleep #Blessed* Oh FML I forgot my clicker. There's no point in me even being here, but I can't leave now...*puts hood up, falls asleep in the back of the lecture hall*

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Common alternatives to the above included: ordering Pizza X, banging my head in to my finite textbook and having dance parties in the lounge.

FYI: you'll more than likely find yourself pulling all-nighters or just losing out on sleep for what seems like no good reason (your friend will just sit on your floor, eating your food, and chatting the night away OR you're being a stellar friend and taking care of them after a very rough night). Even though at the time you'll probably want to just burrow under your covers and make them leave without being rude because you have an exam the next day, EMBRACE THESE NIGHTS. These are the ones that you'll fondly recall when the year comes to an end. Real talk, freshman year is one huge slumber party. It's freakin' awesome. But also remember that sleep is technically necessary for human survival. 

Ah, Welcome Week. It's something you will undoubtedly look forward to every summer and reminisce about every time you have to make the right decision to stay in and study for your exam. 

I remember when I was a young and naive incoming freshman (one year ago), I was, to plainly put it, FREAKING HYPED for Welcome Week. Here is your guide to living it up, (written as I cry about how much I miss school):

1. Go to as many of the school sponsored events as your body can take in the wonderful Midwestern heat and humidity of August. Don't be the "too cool for everything" kid. Even if you have no interest in any of the great programs that are put on, go for the sake of going (and also free food). I promise you will regret not going. My favorite events from Welcome Week 2014 included Midnight Madness, Traditions and Spirit of IU and the AWESOME Welcome Week Block Party featuring B.O.B., Skizzy Mars, and Krewella! Check it out here and keep an eye on @IUBlockParty on Twitter to see who will be playing this year! *pro tip: when the Block Party performers are released over the summer, start listening to their music! It's always more fun when you can sing/rap/dance along :)

2. Make friends! It's easier than you think. Leave your door open and turn on your best Spotify playlist so that people pop in when they walk through the hall. Alternatively, don't wait for them to come to you, go roam the hall and introduce yourself. If you're coming to campus knowing people, those are great buddies to walk around with, but don't be afraid to branch out and start meeting new people! One of the greatest perks of IU being so big is that you're always making new friends. I'm not saying that you'll love and stay friends with everyone you meet during WW. But that isn't totally untrue either! I'd say 50% of my good friends at IU,  I met during my first week.  

3. Don't overdo it. Hopefully if you're coming here, you know that IU is not only an amazing educational institution, but a party school nonetheless. Know your limits. If you haven't partied before and are planning on it, take it slow. Use the buddy system, be safe and don't do anything you're not comfortable with. There is no rule saying that you have to participate in certain activities during the course of your IU career, but if you do, be smart about it. I've heard one too many stories about hospital visits during Welcome Week. I can't emphasize enough the importance of this one. Don't get me wrong, I love a good time, but just make sure it doesn't venture in to the Land of Regret. Educate yourself on alcohol and drug safety as well as the Indiana Lifeline Law.

GET PUMPED & HAVE FUN during Welcome Week! It only happens once a year! 

Scope all the Welcome Week events here and read more articles about it here!

*I apologize in advance for the pursuant cliché ooey-gooeyness.

Don't get me wrong here, I love LA. I will forever and always be a Dodger die-hard/kale enthusiast/sand & saltwater beach freak at heart. And due to all of that, I was very hesitant about choosing IU, solely because I'd have to spend 9 months out of the year in Indiana...the Midwest...the "armpit of America." I just made that up. But I don't think I went through one introduction without being asked "why would you ever want to leave California?"and my point is that the geographic location of IU was a very real deterrent even considering all of what the rest of IU had to offer.

Today, I know that from now on, I have two homes - two places that will be part of who I am for the rest of my life. And here's why.

1. I have a family at school. One of the best parts of IU is that there's so many different kinds of people. There's an endless amount of personalities, cultures, beliefs, etc. For me, that meant I could choose exactly who I wanted to be friends with and I didn't have to deal with someone I wasn't a fan of because there were 8,000 others. I came from a pretty small high school, where everyone had known each other since kindergarten. You knew everyone and their business whether you wanted to or not. I chose my friends at IU based on what I wanted from my college experience, and that's why I love the people I have at school. My friend group is really a family. We've got a group chat that still makes my phone buzz like crazy every day even when we're on summer break, we go to meals with each other, get each other birthday presents and they're the first people I go to when I need support. My college experience/life in general would be a lot different if it weren't for my friends from freshman year. Shout out to all of y'all, I love you!

2. I don't just love IU, I love B-town. Yes IU is wonderful, really truly an amazing school. But there's more to IU than just campus. Bloomington and IU have this awesome thing going where one wouldn't be the same without the other. For a town in Indiana that I had never heard of in my life, Btown is incredibly cultural and diverse. There's always, ALWAYS something to do whether it's the Saturday Farmers' Market or SoMo playing at Dunkirk. ​Student organizations are always giving back to the B-town community: working with My Sister's Closet, the Boys & Girls Club and so many others. I know that some Kelley classes work directly with Bloomington businesses, helping them achieve their business goals. Conversely, Bloomington offers all of itself to Hoosier students. Everything is geared towards us, accommodating our wants and needs; it's really something special. There's a reason that Bloomington has been named one of the best college towns in America for years and years. Tour guides on campus will tell you, there's a reason that Sample Gates doesn't have physical gates that close...the relationship between Bloomington and IU is forever open (I'm so poetic #wow).

3. I'm finding myself in college. Wherever you lived up to this point, it has shaped who you are and what you believe in, and the same goes for whoever you lived with. That's what home is, and that's why I think everyone should also consider college as their home. As an out-of-stater, not only was I totally out of place when I first got to Bloomington, but I didn't know a soul. Like I said with my friends, I chose exactly who I wanted to spend time with in college. I didn't get it completely right at first, and I dropped a few people here and there over the course of my two semesters so far, but the ones that I've kept around, are making me a better person. Yes, we have a lot in common, but we've also got different upbringings, interests and beliefs. Our differences are eye-opening and have already changed a lot about who I am. College is the time to figure out who YOU are and what YOU want out of life. It's most people's first chance at real independence, no one's keeping tabs on you and telling you what to think or believe in. Be open to new experiences, join a club you would have never thought about being a part of, try something that might scare you a little. IU has so much stuff to offer, you'll find your place eventually! 

If you're reading this as an incoming Hoosier, I hope you find the same happiness in Bloomington as I have. And if you're reading this as someone considering IU, I strongly encourage you to come visit Bloomington and experience first hand what I'm talking about. You won't regret it. Thank God my dad made me come visit otherwise I don't think I'd be writing this post right now. 

Thanks for reading this overflow of love for my second home. I hope you make it yours too.

- Clara

Learn more about Btown here!

Well. Do I? That’s the question that a lot of incoming freshman are asking. The answer is no. But, I had one anyways. Let me explain.

Having a car on campus can be great! You get to go anywhere you want, whenever you want. My best friend came from Utah for my birthday, and I drove to the airport to pick her up, I drove to Brown County State Park one Saturday morning for a hike with some of my other friends. And everyone was extra nice to me in case they ever needed a ride!

But it can also suck. Freshman will either receive a D or E pass. D passes will allow you to park by your dorm, but very few people receive D passes. You have to request it super duper early. So if you bring a car, you’ll probably end up with an E pass. Which means you’ll park by Assembly Hall. Assembly Hall (bless that holy building) is one of the most northern points on campus so if you’re not living in Northwest, it’s going to be a long trek to your car which kind of defeats the whole purpose of having one. Even if you are living in Northwest, the E pass has its flaws. You’ll have to move your car for every home basketball game to the even farther lot by Memorial Stadium. It’s a pain in the tookus, especially when game days are in the winter and you have to move your car when it’s freezing cold outside. Sometimes, even on not game days, IU just randomly will tell you to move your car with a one-day notice that you don’t always get. You’ll end up getting ticketed or worse, towed. Also, consider your potential gas expenses. ‘Nuff said.

There’s this thing called public transportation. I hail from the great City of Angels, and if you didn’t know – our public transportation SUCKS. Like it’s really old and dirty and doesn’t take you where you need to go and just all-around crappy. So my first instinct is to avoid public transportation at all costs. BUT, IU students have access to not one, but TWO bus systems that are completely free! IU buses are generally red and take you basically everywhere on campus. There’s several lines (A, B, E, X) that follow different routes and come around every 5-10 minutes. *If you’re living in Northwest – the A line is your friend! The other bus system is Bloomington transit and that has green buses. They’ll take you several places on campus and make stops off campus at College Mall and such. Btown buses come around less often 20-30 minutes, but you won’t need them as often so it’s okay. Super convenient for Target runs and floor dinners on Kirkwood. Download the DoubleMap app (or use the DoubleMap tab in the IU app) on your phone for live bus tracking (aka, you can wait in your room until the last second and then run out to the bus stop when its -20 degrees outside) for both IU and B-town lines.

For when you need to go farther than Bloomington, IU has Zipcars and shuttle services to Chicago!

From what I’ve written, it sounds like the cons definitely weight out the pros of having a car on campus,but it all depends on how much you value the ability to go places on your own schedule. I loved having a car on campus freshman year, but I think I could have lived without it. A lot of people bring their cars sophomore year as most people live off campus after the first year. The bottom line? No, you don’t need a car your freshman year. Sure it’ll be useful and convenient when you want it, but it can also be a hassle and there’s a lot of other options! If anything, try a semester without one, and if you still need it, buy a spring semester parking pass and you’ll be good to go!