College is the best and sometimes the most stressful time ever. You’re trying to have the best time ever and enjoy your Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, but also trying to find what you want to do and not make terrible grades. Let’s be real, we all struggle at times with balancing the fun nights and class and being broke half the time. Get ready to have the best (and craziest) years of your life here in the place I love the most. Here’s 20 tips, ideas, and life hacks at the University of Georgia to help make the best college years here in Athens, aka the greatest college town in the country, just a little easier!
Take it from someone who knows, UGA is savage will do their best to get as much money from you as they can. The Tate Deck is free after 6pm and the East Campus deck is free after 4pm. It will make life easier on your legs and your bank account, trust me!
It’s free (with meal plan) and it’s so close to the stadium, but it gets packed FAST so make sure you get there before the rest of the town does too. Stopping there before walking up the hill gives you a nice break and the crowd is gone when you make the trek.
It can be kind of awkward in your first classes especially if you don’t know anyone, but literally just talk to people. You will have a friend to get notes from if you miss and can study with them before tests.
Knowing where has the best late night snacks for the cheapest is the best. If you’re DT on a Tuesday or up late in general, it’s definitely the move.
The MLC is a great place to study but getting a room is like The Hunger Games. Make sure you have a friend make it look like there’s more people there. Plus, it’s okay if you kick someone out who is alone and not really working hard… if you do it nicely.
Get these with meal plan and use them instead of your own money at Chick-fil-a or Panda in Tate. It’s better than Bolton and your parents won’t fuss for spending so much money eating out, making life easier on everyone.
10:30-45 an East West bus comes to the crosswalk that will take you there and save you a $6 Uber ride. It can be so fun if you get a group of friends and all go together and everyone can go at once.
There are always 4828625 people trying to hand you flyers and get you to join their club. Walking should be a stress free time but there it is not. Some organizations are great to join if you want, but it’s totally fine to say no.
All of those cute service dogs can’t be petted since they’re working, BUT if they have no vest on, you can ask to pet them and I would. Nothing can make you feel better than petting a cute puppy.
$1 drinks and $2 shots at Bourbon from 10-11 can be your best friend (or worst enemy if you get too swirly) and it happens every night except on game days. If you want to celebrate a test, forget that it happened, go out for a birthday, or just have a good time, Power Hour is the (cheapest and best) way to go.
UGA is a HUGE campus where everything is uphill. Schedule classes that are near each other or have plenty of time to walk to and get a snack. Having plenty of time will help ease your stress and prevent sweat marks when its 80 degrees in Athens.
Literally only buy books there if that is the only place you can find it. Amazon and Baxter Bookstore almost always have them for cheaper. You will appreciate having a little extra money left from what your parents give you for books.
Fuzzy’s, Canes, Chick-fil-a, or pizza is always the best decision before going on a date night. It’s cheap, easy, and good and you can avoid all the planning that never works anyways. Date nights should be easy and fun!
The UGA health center will send free condoms to your dorm with Condom Express if you order them. You don’t spend money and you’re playing it safe. What more could you ask for?
Zaxby’s, The Grill, D.P. Dough, and Eddie’s Calzones all stay open late and are all downtown if you need food before you call it a night or if studying has you hungry.
If you keep your coffee cup, you can get a refill for $1. This is lifesaving during test weeks and exams when you need a little more energy. I actually cannot emphasize this one enough.
She is the sweetest woman you may ever meet. Sometimes life is rough and a hug from her and some food is definitely enough to make you smile. Whether you have a hangover or you just failed a test, she’ll be there every morning to love on you.
If you need a quiet place to work where no one comes, this is the place for you. Nestled in North Campus, you won’t think to go there unless you’re a law student or someone tells you. But, be careful not to make noise or the people in there will give you nasty looks.
I know your mom tells you this, but you will do so much better if you do. UGA was hard to get in and it’s even harder to stay. Going to class will help you stay focused on getting your degree and make it easier to keep up your grades.
We all want the best 4 (or 5) years at UGA and we want to get married and have babies one day, so let’s keep it that way. Always walk around them and remember how much love you have for the greatest institution in the country. If you follow this one, you’ll absolutely have it easier.
College is hard for most everyone, let’s be real. Anytime there is an easier way to do something I’m all for it. UGA is here to give you the best future and the best four years ever and these tips will surely help you along the way. Enjoy the time you have in the town I love the most. From Sanford Stadium to Milledge and Clayton Street, this place is full of experiences and amazing times. Live it up, make it as easy as you can, and always go Dawgs!!
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