Maroon Life 2022 Housing Guide

MAROON LIFE 2022 HOUSING GUIDE

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THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS 03 || LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

OWNING A PET || 18

BY LAUREN DISCHER

04 || DORM LIFE

BY LAUREN DISCHER

THE ART OF DECOR || 20

BY CAROLINE WILBURN

05 || ON-CAMPUS AMENITIES

BY RUBEN HERNANDEZ

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES || 22

BY MICHAELA RUSH

BY AUBREY VOGEL

07 || OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING

BY KYLE MCCLENAGAN

08 || SIGNING A LEASE

BY AUBREY VOGEL

10 || GREEK LIFE HOUSING

BY JULIA POTTS

12 || EMERGENCY RESOURCES

EDITORIAL STAFF

BY AUBREY VOGEL

Myranda Campanella, Editor-in-Chief Julia Potts, Managing Editor Lauren Discher, Special Sections Editor Ishika Samant, Asst. Photo Chief Cori Eckert, Head Page Designer

14 || COOKING FOR ONE

BY LAUREN DISCHER

16 || LIVING WITH ROOMMATES

Caroline Wilburn, Asst. Life & Arts Editor

BY KATHRYN MILLER

Robert O’Brien — THE BATTALION

Cover photo by Ishika Samant

Aubrey Vogel, News Editor Kyle McClenagan, Asst. News Editor Nathan Varnell, Asst. Opinion Editor

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 3

Logan Mohr — THE BATTALION

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Special Sections editor Lauren Discher says living in Aggieland has been memorable Howdy, and welcome to Aggieland!

T

his town is so special to me, as I grew up performing at dance recitals in Rudder Auditorium, taking field trips to campus for scavenger hunts and even sleeping on a Reveille Pillow Pet. As the Special Sections editor, I’m honored to be a part of this year’s Housing Guide. Where you live influences every aspect of your life, and Aggieland has so much to offer, not only in culture and spirit, but in terms of its ever-growing catalog of housing and amenities.

There is a distinct learning curve when it comes to leaving home and tak-

ing the huge step of living independently, but it can be mitigated with proper knowledge and preparation. Some may be used to the luxuries of having their own room, familiar people surrounding them and hot meals on the table.

For many college students, Howdy Week marks the first time they will be without one or all of those things, and the adjustment is not always easy. In addition to assuming the responsibilities that come with being an undergraduate student, one must take on the additional stress of living in a new location with new people and fulfilling their own needs such as food and transportation.

This Housing Guide acts as a resource for those who are undertaking the ex-

citing, but sometimes daunting, task of transitioning from hometown living to college life. These pages offer guidance on the benefits of living on campus versus off campus, signing a lease, navigating relationships with roommates, dealing with pets, cooking for one and more. They advise on the best ways to get around town, the importance of décor and the many amenities Texas A&M has for students. It is my hope that this guide will help you navigate this new chapter of life.

I encourage you to take advantage of all Aggieland has to offer. As my time here as a student comes to a close with graduation in May, I look back not on the grades I made on one exam or

another, but on the many experiences unique to A&M — pond hopping late at night, fangirling when I finally met Reveille, standing with the 12th Man at football games (no matter how bad my legs hurt), witnessing VeoRides in odd places, from random trees to the top of the Academic Building, and taking more naps on various couches across campus than I’d like to admit. I encourage you to do those things and more; make campus, and better yet, Aggieland, your home.

Lauren Discher is an English senior and Special Sections editor for The Battalion.

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 4

Living the dorm life

Cameron Johnson — THE BATTALION

On-campus student housing like Hart Hall provides a place for students to live in close proximity to their classes, dining and study spaces.

A&M offers 7 on-campus residence options which meet student needs

By Caroline Wilburn @Carolinewilb

D

espite the many residential opportunities around Aggieland, living on campus is a staple for incoming freshmen looking to gain a more authentic college experience.

The university currently offers seven housing options for students who choose to live on campus: balcony, corridor, common, modular and ramp styles, as well as Hullabaloo Hall and White Creek Apartments.

Public health freshman Trevor Burk currently lives in Aston Hall, a part of the Commons on the Southside of campus, which offers students access to dining, a Community Learning Center, or CLC, TV lounges, recreation area, mailboxes and a 24-hour help desk.

“I knew I wanted the dorm experience,” Burk said. “I had to live on campus and make friends and everything. I did try to get into Northside, but Southside is what was available, but I’m really happy I chose to live in

the Commons.”

Living on campus, Burk said he enjoys constantly being able to see his friends, such as those made through his Freshman Leadership Organization, Freshman Leaders Establishing eXcellence, or FLEX. “When I got into FLEX, and did other things, the friends I made in the first few weeks of school, everybody just lived in the Commons,” Burk said. “I would see them in the dining hall or around my dorm. It was really fun constantly getting to see them, saying hi and keeping up to date with them.”

In addition to the convenience of being close to classes, Burk said he enjoys the accessible dining options.

“You’re within less than half a mile of every single dining option you can think of,” Burk said. “Whether it be sandwiches, Chick-fil-A, Chinese, burritos, anything you want. Especially living in the Commons, there’s a dining hall just 20 feet below us.”

Biomedical sciences freshman Victoria Whitington currently resides in McFadden Hall, a modular dorm, and said she feels Northside dorms are an equal distance from most places on campus. Modular dorms, located on both Northside and Southside, offer

students double rooms with private bathrooms for one to two residents.

The convenience of living among academic and dining spaces is what Whitington said she especially enjoys from dorm life.

“Waking up and walking to class, being really close to everything [is great],” Whitington said. “I could just walk across the street to go get food.”

Whitington said despite the high cost of living on campus, it’s a successful way to become familiar with A&M. “I feel like living on campus kind of helps with that because you’re walking everywhere,” Whitington said. “Honestly, you can just go and walk whenever you want. You don’t have to take a bus to get on campus or drive to campus. I feel like living in the dorms kind of helped me find my way around campus better. I feel it’d be different if I lived off campus.”

As an honors student, Whitington said she is able to constantly get together with fellow students and friends.

“We get together and work and do study groups,” Whitington said. “Another thing is the [Community Learning Center] is technically only open to on-campus residents, and

I really enjoyed going there to study. It’s not super loud, and it’s a little more home-y than Evans [Library]. I feel like that’s helped me kind of get more used to being in college.”

Business freshman Cole Braaten said he chose to live in White Creek Apartments for its proximity to Mays Business School and the comfort of his own room.

“I can walk to class and I’m never running late,” Braaten said. “It’s just really convenient getting there without having to take a bus or walking for 30 minutes.”

Burk said despite the struggles of living in a small dorm in the Commons, the social aspect of living so close to other freshmen has its benefits.

“As awful as the dorms are sometimes, I think there’s a certain charm of being able to walk outside of your door and see people having fun,” Burk said. “The convenience of the dorm is incredible.”

Students who are interested in living on campus can apply at https://reslife.tamu.edu/ apply/.

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 5

More than a bed: Campus life at A&M

Logan Mohr — THE BATTALION

On-campus student resources such as Cushing Library, Student Recreation Center and dorm laundry rooms give students convenient access to living necessities, easing their college careers.

Aggieland offers variety of oncampus amenities to students

By Aubrey Vogel @aubrey_vogel

A

ny resource students may need is only a short walk away, as they are offered numerous amenities while on campus to stay happy and healthy during their time at Texas A&M.

Student Recreation Center Staying fit is easy on campus, with two large gym facilities, located on West Campus and on Polo Road, and a soon-to-be third location on Bizzell Street. Use of any recreational facility is free for students and features a variety of equipment including cardio, strength training machines and free weights, according to the Rec Sports website.

The Student Recreation Center offers group fitness classes and strength and conditioning training by trained professionals. Students can take part in drop-in recreation on basketball or volleyball courts and can try their hand at aquatics in the Olympic-sized pool.

The Rec Center also hosts intramural and club sports for students to participate in. Students engaged in these activities have the opportunity to participate in games and contests both at A&M and across the country.

Transportation Services Transportation Services makes getting around simple with routes located throughout campus and the surrounding community.

Bus routes can be monitored with live bus

updates on the Texas A&M app, and show live locations of buses en route.

In addition to buses, students also have access to bikes and electric bikes for riding across campus. Students can use these services by downloading the VeoRide app, though students do pay for use of the products on the app. If students are more frequent bikers, they can also bring a bike from home and register it with Transportation Services or rent one by the semester.

Transportation Services also handles all campus parking, so students can request a parking permit for a lot or garage on campus.

More information on parking permits and other campus transportation options can be found on page 22.

Student Health Services Students who are not feeling well can visit the on-campus Beutel Health Center offering discounted rates to students. Student Health Services provides a wide range of care including medical, laboratory, radiology, preventative and emergency care, according to the Student Health Services website.

If medicine is needed, students are able to pick it up at the on-campus pharmacy at discounted prices. Additionally, there are nutritionists available to help guide diets and a women’s clinic for all needs, including preventative exams and birth control.

The facility offers free COVID-19 tests as well as preventative measures, including flu and other vaccinations. It also provides sexually transmitted infection testing and tuberculosis screenings.

Dining Services

Various dining facilities are located throughout campus, including the Commons, Sbisa and Duncan dining halls, which offer allyou-can-eat buffets, and restaurants that boast local campus exclusives and chains. Students are given a variety of choices for their dining needs and can experience many different cuisines across campus, Dining Services Marketing manager Haleigh Dean said.

“On campus, it’s very much about the Aggie Spirit and Aggie community. We have over 50-plus dining locations on campus,” Dean said. “When it comes to retail, we do have national brands that are favorites, but we also have things that you will only find at A&M such as Copperhead Jack’s.”

Students can download the DineOnCampus app, which serves as a resource for all things dining by providing location hours, menus and special offers and events hosted by Dining Services. Additionally, at each location, there is a text chat feature, which allows individuals to send feedback that will go directly to location management.

For students with special diets, Dean said there is a form students can fill out to discuss with a chef which food will be available for their specific diet.

Laundry facilities For students who live on campus, laundry facilities are available within dorm laundry rooms and apartment units. All on-campus facilities are complete with high-efficiency front-loading washers and dryers, according to the Residence Life website. Students are able to use washing facilities for free, as it is included as part of their room and board fees.

Students must provide all supplies for laun-

dry themselves, such as detergent, softener and dryer sheets as needed.

“Liquid pods/pacs are great for use in both front-load machines — it is HE-type detergent — and top-loading machines,” the Residence Life website reads. “For front-loading washers, make sure you put them in the door, not the drawer.”

Additionally, students living in the dorms who do not have a washer and dryer in their own living space have access to the LaundryAlert app, which will send individuals a text or email when their laundry is done in one of the communal laundry rooms so they don’t have to wait there. The app also allows users to check laundry room availability and submit service requests as needed.

University Libraries Students can study at one of five libraries across the College Station campus, while receiving expert help from librarians who specialize in a variety of subjects. In addition to physical resources located inside the librairies, students can check out up to 100 books to take home with them for research, or leisure.

“Texas A&M University is so big — and our libraries are also quite big and have a lot of services and resources to help you. If you are feeling overwhelmed and are not sure how to get started, I recommend reaching out to AskUs,” University Libraries Director of Marketing Partick Zinn said in an email to The Battalion. “Use our homepage to call us, send us a chat or email, or stop by one of our desks for help. You do not have to know who you need to ask for help — we will point you to the best person or resource to get you started.”

For big research projects, students can also visit the online databases at library.tamu.edu made available to students with a NetID login.

The databases can help locate scholarly articles and can be a starting point for any type of research.

Sporting events For fun and relaxation, students can attend various sporting events across campus as teams come to compete in College Station against the Fightin’ Texas Aggies. Students have the opportunity to purchase sports passes for complete or select access to games in all sports throughout the year, or can also purchase discounted student tickets by the game for specific events they would like to attend. Student sports passes for the 2022-23 school year are priced at $325, with access to all home sporting events, according to the 12th Man Foundation, and student guest season passes are priced at $525 for the year.

Additionally, throughout the year there are games in which all students may get in free to cheer on the Aggies as they take on big opponents or host special events on campus.

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 7

What to look out for when browsing off-campus housing

Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

Off-campus apartment complexes such as Northpoint Crossing, located directly across campus on University Drive, allow students a variety of housing options to fit their budget, lifestlye and commute.

Students suggest considerations for off-campus houses, apartments

By Kyle McClenagan @KMcclenagan

S

helter is the third most important need, according to Maslow’s hierarchy, and since Texas A&M does not provide enough on-campus housing for even the entire freshman population, many students find shelter in off-campus apartments and houses.

When it comes to off-campus housing in the Bryan-College Station area, students don’t always get what they paid for. With so many factors to consider, such as price, location, amenities, number of bedrooms and neighborhood safety, the choice can sometimes be overwhelming, especially when there are a seemingly endless number of choices available, with more being built every year. Luckily, with resources such as online reviews, friends and community reputation, no one needs to go in blind when looking for their first college apartment.

Mechanical and manufacturing engineering technology junior Zayan Ali said he experienced a lot of pressure from leasing agents when touring for a new apartment.

“Right off the bat, [the leasing agent] is hitting us with all these random deals … throwing anything and everything he could at us to try and get us to sign,” Ali said. “I think he threw a total of five to six different totally random deals, one of them solely for the fact because he thought our ‘vibe’ was really cool.”

Ali said the complex he was touring even had a prize wheel that you could spin, but only if you signed that same day. Ali said it’s important to keep your options open and always be suspicious of deals that only apply if you sign that day.

“There was a TV, an Xbox, speakers [and] headphones, very ‘Price is Right’-style with all the various things you could win,” Ali said. “Go to all the tours you’re looking at, make sure you have an idea of all of them.

Just because the first one seems like a really good pitch, sometimes you need a reference for other ones.”

The example unit for the complex also gave a false impression of the true apartment con-

ditions, Ali said.

“Oh my gosh, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more bedazzled model home that’s completely not what the actual one looks like,” Ali said.

“Whenever I asked him about the surface of the counters he said, ‘No that’s not part of it, this is just to show what it could possibly look like,’ … I don’t carry granite countertops on me and I don’t have giant bookshelves or chandeliers in my backpack.”

With all the stresses of college life, the last thing you want is to be stuck in a lease you can’t get out of, Ali said.

“Ultimately, you’re going to be living there for the foreseeable future, [and] you want to make sure you genuinely like where you’re living,” Ali said. “School is already heavy enough. You don’t want to be living somewhere you’re miserable.”

Many renters like political science senior Kristen Rogers did not consider neighborhood safety when looking for apartments at first.

“Honestly, I didn’t really consider safety that much when looking at my current apartment,” Rogers said. “It was something I considered, but didn’t give a ton of thought to.”

However, safety quickly became a concern after two people were killed in the townhome across the street from where she lived, Rogers said.

“There was a drug-related double homicide in my complex three units down from where I live,” Rogers said. “It made me question the safety of where I lived, and I definitely felt uneasy for a while after the shooting.”

Rogers said she and her roommates will prioritize safety when looking for their next apartment.

“I will definitely be thinking about safety more,” Rogers said. “I won’t be so quick to sign a lease.”

Rogers’ roommate, supply chain management junior Elizabeth Garibay, said while she had always been concerned about safety, the event changed how she will look for housing in the future.

“When looking for a new place to live, the incident from last February was definitely in the back of my mind,” Garibay said. “Do research when looking for a place to live, not just the apartment or house itself, but the neighborhood and surrounding areas.”

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 8

How-to: Sign a lease

Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

College Station has many off-campus housing options such as apartments, condos, townhomes and houses conveniently located near campus or bus routes, including The Rise and Aspire on University Drive.

Tips, tricks for students signing leases for off-campus housing

By Aubrey Vogel @aubrey_vogel

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inding a home in Aggieland is an important part of getting set up as a new student, though with this comes a great deal of responsibility to find the best fit for each individual’s needs.

Before signing a lease and being locked into a place for an extended period of time, Texas A&M Student Legal Services senior attorney Rick Powell said it is important to be sure that a student is not getting into a contract that may haunt them.

Step 1: Housing search Signing a lease starts way before the pen touches the paper. A student’s search for hous-

ing begins with the research and investigation that goes into finding possibilities that interest them. When looking for a place to live, it is important for students to make a list of all the things they must have in their new home, including number of bedrooms, bathrooms and different amenities.

Additionally, it is important to keep an open mind throughout the entire process as opinions may change throughout the search.

Meeting with the staff is a great way to see how helpful the office is going to be throughout the year, so be sure to direct questions to the appropriate person and see how well they are at responding.

Step 2: Research the landlord Whether it be a company who is leasing the property or an individual, it is important to know exactly how well they have managed other tenants.

Though the leasing office may have told

you great things about the company or the management of the property, Powell said it is important to take things into your own hands with something that is right at your fingertips — Google.

“You have to check like you would when you’re going to do business with someone.

You’re going to check out their online reputation to see if they have a lot of complaints and what those complaints are,” Powell said.

“Do a Google search or [utilize other] websites [to] look at all of the complaints against them, because the way they treat their current tenants or former tenants, [they] are probably going to treat you the same way.”

Powell said Student Legal Services sees many cases in which students have issues with landlords who have not repaired properties which may affect the physical health or safety of the individuals living in the property.

Step 3: Read the lease — all of it

Leases can be long, daunting and some individuals may even call it scary, but reading the entire lease from front to back is vital to ensuring the landlord is offering a property and deal that best fits the individual tenant.

It also helps for students to know the terms of the lease. Most leases in the area are individual leases, which means that the student is only responsible for paying their end of the lease, such as for their individual bedroom, though some landlords may try to have you sign a lease where you are responsible for ensuring the entire rent is paid by the apartment, rather than individually, Powell said.

Step 4: Ask questions Are utilities included? Are pets allowed?

Are there any additional fees?

These are all important questions when it comes to finding out if this apartment will be the right fit.

Before you sign the contract, ask any ques

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 9

tion that comes to mind. Don’t begin a contract without knowing everything the agreement entails and what the apartment requires of the person leasing.

Step 5: Secure a guarantor Many apartments require a guarantor, or someone who is willing to agree to pay the funds if the person on the lease does not, to protect themselves from people who may try to take advantage of them. Typically, this person is a parent or other close relative, but there are stipulations to who can be considered — this person must have proof of income greater than the apartment rent amount and should have a good credit history, according to myfirstapartment.com.

Before entering into the lease, Powell said it is important to know that your guarantor is going to be approved. Without approval, the landlord may not allow an individual to move in, but may require them to pay rent if they have already signed the contract.

Sometimes, there are instances when students may not know someone who can act as a guarantor or who will qualify, so there are other options for securing an apartment including lease guarantee insurance or paying up front if the apartment allows.

Lease guarantee insurance allows an individual to pay a fee to a company for them to serve as the guarantor, though this often involves strict credit checks and approval of salary which is at least 27.5 times more than the cost of the lease. Some apartments will allow students to pay up front if they have the means to do so, though this is on a case-by-case basis and often is not an option for many students.

When heading to sign a lease, it is vital to bring all required documentation, including: Completed application or lease Government identification Approved payment method for fees

Proof of renter’s insurance, if required Proof of income or guarantor information

Step 6: Look at your property Looking at the specific unit an individual will be living in is vital to discovering any problems with the unit ahead of signing the paperwork, Powell said. Looking at models may be helpful when it comes to finding out a floor plan or if it’s worth further investigating, but before signing a lease, Powell said students should be adamant about looking at the unit which they will be living in upon the beginning of the lease.

“Landlords don’t want you to look at your apartment. They don’t want you to see it, they want you to trust them,” Powell said.

In many situations, Powell said some landlords don’t let students know what building they will be living in until it is time to move in, which can cause many problems including possible roommate compatibility issues.

Step 7: Sign the lease When an individual is absolutely sure the property is the right one for them and they have completed all the research and steps to get ready to sign the lease, it is important to be ready with all the right information to put the pen to paper.

Cameron Johnson — THE BATTALION

Students sign leases to lock in off-campus housing units and decrease liability to both the property owner and the leaser.

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 10

Life in letters

Pilar Ibarra — THE BATTALION

There are 12 houses on sorority row located near campus, including Zeta Tau Alpha and Gamma Phi Beta.

Sorority, fraternity row offer housing, study spaces for Greek life students

By Julia Potts @juliaapotts

A

s the end of the semester nears, many students may be looking for a new living space. For at least one in every 10 undergraduate students, Greek housing may be the answer.

There are thousands of students involved with Greek life at Texas A&M across 58 affiliated or Greek organizations, according to Student Activities, with 14 sorority and 19 fraternity chapters.

Anyone driving down Dominik Drive cannot fail to see the large, white houses with massive Greek letters hanging above the doors. Sorority Row, with houses on Olympia Way, Athens Drive and University Oaks Boulevard, is home to 12 houses, out of the 14 sorority chapters at A&M. Industrial system engineering junior Jessica Frederick said she joined her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, to help her build a community in college. After her freshman year, she was asked if she wanted to live in the house for her sophomore year. Frederick said when living in the house, there was always someone to talk to.

“I loved it,” Frederick said. “I had a great experience. It helped me get a lot closer to the girls because coming into it, I wasn’t super close with everyone, some people I hadn’t really talked to. But, after a year of living with them next door, it was a great experience, and I recommend it to anyone.”

Sharing Frederick’s social experience, allied health sophomore Kathryn Worth said after growing up with only brothers, the sisterhood she feels when living in the Delta Zeta house is a great experience.

“Getting this experience, I couldn’t pass it up, because first when you meet your friends in Greek life you have a small little group, but then you’re always wanting to reach out and meet more people and make deeper connections with people outside of your bubble,” Worth said.

On the other side of Greek life, A&M fraternities have more than just houses open to their members. Accounting junior Kyle Burton said he joined Greek life on the recommendation of his cousin, and ultimately joined Pi Kappa Alpha. His fraternity has a house and a barn, but both are only used for events, not living. However, they still provide ample social and event space for the members to get to know each other, even if they can’t live together.

“It’s definitely something special that not a

lot of other organizations have,” Burton said.

“But, just having the space doesn’t necessarily equate to having a good experience. At the end of the day, the people that you’re around [are what] make it special.”

For those able to live in the Greek houses, Worth said there are some unexpected benefits, such as the occasional house-cleaning personnel and a house mom to help deal with any issues that arise. On top of that, Worth said there is always someone to do anything with.

“We have a chef, so you don’t have to cook any meals, so that’s amazing,” Worth said. “You have so many girls around you at all times, so if you don’t like to be alone or you always like to be doing stuff with other girls, you’re always going to have that.”

In addition to the social aspect of living with her sorority sisters, Frederick said the house itself made her stay that much more enjoyable.

“It’s a really pretty house,” Frederick said.

“They did renovations right before I rushed, and the rooms were nice. They were probably about the same size as the dorm rooms. I don’t have any complaints; it wasn’t anything crazy, [but] it was really nice.”

Frederick said the academic environment was not something she expected to experience living in the house. However, there were almost always women studying in the common areas, she said.

“What honestly surprised me, I came into it thinking, ‘Oh, I’m never going to be doing school work, everyone’s always just going to be hanging out,’” Frederick said. “But, pretty much all hours of the day downstairs, there would be people studying. You can just go down there and join them, and there were lots of places to study, so that actually helped.”

Likewise, Worth said the house serves as a close-to-home study spot for all of the residents.

“School-wise, we have a big room that you can study in,” Worth said. “So, if you’re not comfortable going to the library late at night or something like that, you’ll always have somewhere here to get stuff done.”

Overall, Worth said living in the house has been one of the best experiences of her life, providing her more opportunities to bond with the other women in her sorority.

“I didn’t know half the people I moved in with, and the first week before work week starts when we move in, you have so much free time and so much time just to stay up late at night, get to know everybody, do fun stuff around the house,” Worth said. “If you’re looking for a close sisterhood and to build true, deep connections, living in the house is probably the best option.”

Residence Life DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

“As a chemical engineering student, we have the Jack E. Brown Engineering building.

I can see that outside my window. There’s very few places that offer that proximity.

It’s been my happy place.”

- Mo Adesanmi

the GARDENS Apartments fully-furnished apartments conveniently located on campus

near the Engineering complex and the new Polo Road Rec Center next to the shops and restaurants of Century Square

reslife.tamu.edu/gardens

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 12

Doomsday preppers: College edition Suggested steps to prepare for unexpected disasters, emergencies

Toolkit Between things getting broken or buying new furniture which may need to be assembled, students should invest in a small toolkit encompassing the basics, including a hammer and screwdrivers. Some students may not consider themselves handy, but a toolkit can serve a huge purpose for even the simplest repairs.

By Aubrey Vogel @aubrey_vogel

B

eing away from home for the first time can catch many students off-guard, leaving them unprepared for dealing with serious situations, whether it be power outages, sickness or an unplanned weather predicament. With the unpredictability of natural disasters, it is important to plan ahead and be prepared with the needed, and possibly life-changing, supplies.

Here is a list of essential supplies students should have ready in case disaster strikes, which may just make their lives easier:

First aid kit Whether students need bandages or some medication to help with an unexpected illness, it is important to have a fully-stocked first aid kit. Ensure the kit is filled correctly with various bandages, sterile gauze and wipes as well as supplies to stop bleeding in case of minor injury. Additionally, students should be sure to include common over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or Tylenol, stomach relief and allergy medicines.

Fireproof safe After seeing houses and dorms flooded during the February 2021 winter storm, many students have invested in fireproof safes to protect their valuables from both fires and floods; plus, it is another level of protection from intruders. Safes can help store prescription medications as well as documents like birth certificates and social security cards.

On-campus safety With as often as students are on campus, they may also run into safety concerns while conducting day-today business. Across campus there are a 115 of 12-foot blue poles all bearing a phone which connects students to campus police with the exact location of their emergency. Students can also communicate with dispatch as they wait for emergency services to arrive. Additionally, to keep students safe while navigating campus at night, the Corp of Cadets offers escort services available from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays and 24 hours a day on weekends. A Corps member will walk with the student to any place on campus and will provide them with a receipt upon arrival.

Charged power banks From winter storms to general power outages, having a phone die is the biggest inconvenience when the electricity is down, though keeping a power bank on hand can be a lifesaver for phone batteries, literally. Power banks can be found anywhere from Walmart to Amazon and come in various power-holding capabilities, so students should order one if they have not already. Getting the power supply is only one step of the process — it is completely useless without being charged, so be sure the power is always full for use anytime or as a back-up just in case.

Extra security door lock When moving into a new location, students may feel uneasy, especially if they are living alone. To combat these anxieties, individuals should invest in a trusted door lock or deadbolt to ensure they feel safe in their homes.

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 13

Carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarms Required for the health and safety of all individuals in a household, carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarms protect from potentially dangerous situations. Individuals should check both on a regular basis to make sure both devices are working properly, as they can truly save lives.

Extra batteries From television remotes to gaming controllers, many things in everyday life take batteries, which individuals may not always have on hand. Especially in storm situations, it is important to have batteries to refill essential supplies such as flashlights and radios to monitor weather conditions.

Fire extinguishers Kitchen or electrical fires can break out with zero warning, but having a fire extinguisher on hand can help prevent a large amount of damage to an individual’s home. Be sure to check the device is up to code and in good use before it is needed.

Winter storm preparedness With the long winter storm week in 2021 and more snow in early 2022, it is important for students to be prepared during the colder months, even in Aggieland.

Around December, students should prepare by having the following supplies on hand for mother nature’s unpredictable weather: • Candles and/or flashlights • Charged power banks to charge phones • Nonperishable food that can be prepared without using electricity • Bottled water • Extra blankets Additionally, students should be sure to leave their sinks dripping and cabinet doors open for all exposed outdoor walls when temperatures dip below freezing.

Students who live in townhomes or houses should protect outside faucets with cloth or towels ahead of winter weather.

Drug and alcohol safety During college, many students are put in situations where they may encounter drugs or alcohol for the first time.

Whether underage or of age, students should be aware of the dangerous effects of drugs and alcohol on their bodies.

During the first few weeks at college, freshmen are often tempted by the access to alcohol. This is the time in which 33% of freshmen engage in binge drinking, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Binge drinking can cause alcohol overdose and subsequent life-threatening symptoms as it begins to interfere with the ability to breathe and the function of major organs. Students should seek help immediately if they believe themselves or someone they know is exhibiting symptoms of overdose or alcohol poisoning.

Additionally, students should be aware of the prominence and availability of drugs, especially in a college setting. Drugs also present dangers and should be avoided unless prescribed by a doctor and should only be used as directed.

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 14

Frying solo: Meals for one

Hannah Shaffer — THE BATTALION

Quick meals like stir fry are an easy and healthy way for students to get the nutrients they need while maintaining busy schedules.

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 15

Lauren Discher — THE BATTALION

Save money, time with cooking advice for living away from home

By Lauren Discher @laurendischer

T

he transition from high school to college is already daunting; not only are there new academic and social challenges, but there is a significant increase in responsibility as far as taking care of oneself.

No longer is mom or dad on hand if you need a home-cooked meal. While College Station has a seemingly endless supply of fast food and restaurants, these are oftentime not the most nutritious or cost-effective options.

And as most college students are already on a tight budget, this simply won’t do. Whether you consider yourself a culinary master or have never stepped foot in a kitchen — that would be impressive — here are a few tips on how to make the most of your time and money when it comes to taking on the task of cooking for one:

Meal prep and meal plan I’m sure this is something you’ve been told before, but there’s a reason. Meal prepping, or preparing meals in advance, will save you from overspending on eating out or skipping meals altogether. Just set aside a block of time each week to make an easy, healthy recipe that has multiple portions, then use containers to store a portion-size in the fridge for you to grab and reheat.

Meal planning at least one meal per day will save you from ransacking your fridge in order to scrounge up that final, crucial ingredient for a recipe you spent way too much time looking up. The most important factor when it comes to meal planning is being strategic about meat and produce usage, as these items will expire the fastest. My suggestion is to cook meals that require fresh ingredients closer to the beginning of the week, and then use the canned or frozen goods at the end.

Be smart at the store Eat before you go. If you walk into a store starving, you’re more likely to get food that

you didn’t plan on purchasing. I’d also recommend making a detailed list based on your meal prep and planning needs. Apps like Anylist or Our Grocery Shopping List can be useful, since they separate your grocery list into categories based on what section of the store they are located in.

Furthermore, the bulk bins and deli counter make shopping for one much more convenient. You can buy in bulk or exactly the amount that you need, and the pricing is often less expensive than pre-packaged goods. As for the deli counter, you can buy, for example, one chicken breast instead of a package of four that might end up expired or altogether unused. The employees working behind the counter are a resource as well, especially if you are new to shopping for yourself. They have knowledge about the various types and cuts of meats and cheeses and may even give you advice on how to cook with them.

Never underestimate the power of leftovers Waste not, want not. You may be tempted to throw out the uneaten portion of your meal

either from a restaurant or your own kitchen, but leftovers can come in handy. They can be repurposed for other recipes or even eaten as a snack. Look up how long the food in question will keep in the freezer, then attach a sticky-note to the tupperware or write on the baggie what day it will no longer be good.

Moreover, unused meal prep portions can be saved in the freezer and reheated later in the microwave or oven.

Save your favorite recipes The internet makes finding recipes incredibly simple. You can search by category or even by what ingredients you have on hand.

But with so many recipes out there, it’s easy to lose track of which ones you tried and enjoyed, so bookmarking them on your laptop or even printing them out and storing them in a binder or folder will make finding them again much easier. Once you’ve compiled a few of your favorites, you can refer back to these recipes and look for ways to perfect them or make them healthier, using different ingredients or methods.

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 16

Sharing your space: How to live with roommates Roommates bring joy, challenges, compromises to new living spaces

By Kathryn Miller @KathrynMiller0

W

Cameron Johnson — THE BATTALION

Several dorms like Hart Hall feature double rooms where two roommates share the same living space.

ith the new and exciting experiences of college, one of the most intimidating is moving out of your home to a place near or on campus, and more dauntingly, living with strangers.

On-campus dorms and apartments and off-campus houses, apartments and townhomes are the most popular living accommodations for Texas A&M students. With this, one is almost guaranteed to be sharing their space with another person. 87% of first-year college students have one or more roommates, according to a study by Skyfactor Benchworks. With each new living accommodation, appropriate boundaries are beneficial to maintain civility in a household with new roommates.

Psychology senior Isabela McGough lived in an apartment and then in a townhouse at The Barracks, and said she enjoyed the roommate experience of an apartment more.

“Freshman year, I lived with one other person and it was great. We got along super well and we both had similar living habits, so we meshed really well,” McGough said. “My sophomore year, I lived with three other girls and three dogs. It was a bit overwhelming at times. My junior year, I also lived with three other girls and a boy and four dogs … it was very hectic. I think living with that amount of people became overwhelming and very difficult, especially in terms of keeping things clean and trying to study for exams.”

McGough said the most important aspect of living with roommates is maintaining communication, since everyone is raised differently and comes from different home lives.

“Making compromises is very important,” McGough said. “Some pros of living with roommates is you can get social interaction whenever you want. Another pro is sometimes you can borrow things from them, like living with three girls … if someone’s got a tampon or you need oat milk creamer, someone always has it. If you have a roommate that can cook, they usually cook for you, and that’s really nice.”

The biggest cons are having to compromise living with pets, but it’s important to work your way through miscommunications, McGough said.

“Sometimes it would be hard when you have to take a test remotely or when you have to study for something because everyone is

running on different schedules,” McGough said. “I think talking in the beginning and setting ground rules is very important, and it’s an easy way to figure out everyone’s habits.”

McGough said having roommate meetings is essential to avoid fights or hostility. “[Ask questions] like, ‘Do they party? Do they go out? Do they have a lot of people over?’” McGough said. “The one that comes up a lot is people who have significant others, so it’s always smart to talk about that and set boundaries.”

University studies junior Courtney Loehr said there are challenges to living in an apartment and townhouse with roommates.

“Living in an apartment was nice, but also it was my freshman year, and I think it would have been cool to live with more girls because I think it’d be easier to make more friends,” Loehr said. “Living at a townhouse at The Retreat was almost too big. We had an awful experience because we had one random roommate, and so we felt like it was such a big place, but we felt isolated in our rooms all the time.”

Living in a house with people she is close to has been her favorite living experience so far, Loehr said.

“The house we got is the perfect size. It’s with roommates that I like, and we make it work,” Loehr said. “I definitely like living in a house because there’s more privacy, and we have a backyard and you don’t have to worry about towing.”

One of the best things about living with roommates is spending time with them despite busy schedules, and creating household traditions with the people you live with, Loehr said.

“It’s always sweet because you can just crawl into bed with them and hang out. It’s so great to live with some of your best friends,” Loehr said. “They become family. You get a deeper, more personal relationship with them, and you can lean on each other and just care for each other as well. It’s the spontaneous things, too, like doing a PowerPoint night or decorating for the holidays.”

Having vastly different personalities or personal values is what Loehr said makes living with roommates who you’re not friends with much more difficult. However, she said setting boundaries and communicating often is what can help make a better living environment.

“Each person kind of has more of a set responsibility, and we have a group chat and things are good now between my roommates,” Loehr said. “We have one roommate that’s a little bit different than us, but you just have to accept that. You have to make the most of every situation.”

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 17

FILE

Whether living with your best friends or new people assigned to your unit, it is important to make compromises and communicate often with your roommates in order to avoid conflict.

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THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 18

Secret life of college pets Students speak about challenges, benefits of owning pets in college

By Lauren Discher @laurendischer

P

Photos by Lauren Discher (top) and McKenna Fridye (bottom)

Students choose to adopt pets from dogs to lizards while weighing out the costs of pet ownership as full-time college students.

et ownership is a commitment not every college student has the time or money to take on. Before committing to a pet, students may want to ask themselves the following questions: • Am I allowed to have a pet? Dorms typically have a strict no-pet policy, unless it is a small fish tank or a service animal, and many off-campus apartments have strict pet policies.

• Can I afford a pet? The bare minimum expenses include food, a cage or kennel, a bed, toys and vet visits, which reach up to thousands of dollars in certain cases.

• What animal makes the most sense for me? Factors to consider are allergies, space requirements and the amount of time for care and play the animal will require.

• Am I prepared for the years of commitment? Each pet has a different lifespan, which can range from a few months to many years. Consider that upon adopting a pet, you are making a promise to care for them for the entire span of their life.

Having a pet is a huge responsibility that must be approached with care and planning, but it also has the potential to be a mutually beneficial relationship for both human and animal.

Sociology senior Nita Stewart, owner of multiple dogs, cats and a ferret, said owning a pet isn’t easy; it requires time, attention and patience.

“There will be bad days with your pet, and you’ll get frustrated, but if you constantly work with them and train for behaviors you want, it’ll get better,” Stewart said. “If you put time into them, they’ll surprise you.”

Stewart said the most common challenge of owning a pet in college is making time for them, because most students already try to balance adult responsibilities such as work, classes and homework.

“It’s difficult to attend school and work full time while also having a pet,” Stewart said. “Making time for them is imperative and really is beneficial for both you and the pet.”

Especially if the animal is young, Stewart said there are certain crucial responsibilities that can often be overlooked due to a student’s busy schedule.

“I’ve experienced challenges with time when it comes to socialization and training,” Stewart said.

“Socialization and training are imperative for any pet, but dogs in particular.”

Stewart said it is important to prioritize your pet by making time for them, as it will make balancing other aspects of your life easier in the long run.

“It’s good to set aside 30-minute time increments where you expose them to different people, places, animals, food and constantly change where they eat their food,” Stewart said. “If you do that, your pet’s more likely to be better behaved. It’ll make it easier for you to leave your pet home alone and go to class and work.”

Another way to make time away from your pet easier for them, Stewart said, is to provide enrichment like treat-dispensing toys and puzzles or activities like snuffle mats.

“No matter what stage of life your pet is in, make sure to give them mental stimulation, whether it’s with games or challenging toys they have to figure out. It’ll keep them occupied while you’re away,” Stewart said.

Like Stewart, English senior McKenna Fridye said making time for her pets is often her biggest challenge, but planning her schedule accordingly and doing homework in pet-friendly locations helps mitigate this.

“Some pets don’t require much attention, but mine always have,” Fridye said. “I have one cat and two dogs, and they’re very needy. I need to make sure I’m home enough times to feed them, take them out to the bathroom and give them the nourishment and care they need from me. Sometimes that’s not possible for me, and I’ll ask my amazing roommates to help me out with them.”

Another obstacle is the financial aspect, Fridye said; however, there are options for those who cannot afford to shell out thousands of dollars in adoption fees.

“If you can’t financially support a pet, don’t get one,” Fridye said. “I’m lucky enough that my dad helps support my pets financially because he knows how much they mean to me. If finances are an issue, I advise getting a shelter animal that’s already been spayed or neutered and has gotten most or all of their shots. That way, the student will only need to provide food and other necessities for a while until new care is needed.”

Despite the struggles that come with having pets in college, Fridye said they make it well worth the work it takes.

“My pets are my children to me,” Fridye said.

“I love them with all my heart, and I love spending time with them. Especially being an individual with mental health issues, my pets can really help when I’m feeling low. My pets are silly and weird, so they can always make me laugh. Pets also give you a reason to get up and out of bed everyday because they need you to care for them.”

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 20

Self expression through home décor

Courtesy of Gwen Howerton

Sociology senior Gwen Howerton decorated her college room with a variety of posters, polaroids, maps and artwork to her personal taste.

What we fill our homes with is more than just decoration, it’s declaration

By Ruben Hernandez @battandmuse

V

acancy, in any setting, leaves room for creativity.

Thus, many students become tired of the blank slates on the walls of their rooms and homes, and find a need to take up the negative space. Such decorations can consist of anything, including paintings, pictures, magazine pages, newspaper clippings, collectible posters, a shelf adorned with books or figurines — something that will assure the environment of the person settled within the space. It can take place within a multitude of settings, such as offices, classrooms, a mansion or prison cell.

The possibilities are endless, yet a certain standard of images and ideas must be met to fit the conditions of the decorator. The decorator will choose ornaments out of their own judgment, never choosing decorations that do not represent their views. It’s these pieces of judgment that imbue the items of decoration with the “spirit” of the decorator, a collage of their characteristics in tangible form, a reassurance of the individual.

To quote John Berger in his book “Ways of Seeing,” “Adults and children sometimes have boards in their bedrooms or living rooms in which they pin pieces of paper … on each board all the images belong to the same language and all the more or less equal within it, because they have been chosen in a highly personal way to match and express the experience of the room’s inhabitants.”

Berger’s argument focuses on the importance of the person, not just the items that

form the décor. Without the ruling of the decorator, the images are nothing more than images present within our world. When such images are chosen, the decorations enter the world of the person. Such images may consist of who we are, who we want to be, what we worship and what we desire to possess.

This form of expression is nothing new, as the earliest form of these collectibles were the oil paintings commissioned by the wealthy to have artists depict their possessions, or mythological scenes representing their ideals in the practice of flaunting their wealth. In our modern era, this practice is just as easy as it is accessible, granting such practice a greater uniqueness now that it is no longer restricted to a certain demographic. In this scenario, it’s the college student.

While classic forms of expression required a certain standard of nobility, expression through art décor can take any form nowadays, no set

boundaries or limitations required. Biomedical sciences junior Danya Garza said her assortment of decorations enriches the way she lives within her home.

“It’s pretty simple, but at the same time it’s colorful and kind of funky,” Garza said about her décor. “I have my plants by the window with my dinosaur beanie babies on my desk.

It’s a mix of all the little things I find interesting with my life.”

Garza said moving into her new apartment, she visualized the empty room as a blank slate ready to be filled with life.

“Most of my collection is new. Moving out of the house, I didn’t really bring anything with me but my clothes and some other essentials,” Garza said. “My apartment is a space that I could create from scratch, so I ordered everything I needed from Amazon and other websites. I do have some things from my old room, like my stuffed dinosaurs, plants and polaroid pictures.”

In a seemingly opposite side of the spectrum of art décor, sociology senior Gwen Howerton said her practice of décor selection involved more.

“For me, I’ve been really into kitsch lately and I just generally hate blank walls, so I must have as much stuff on the walls in my bedroom or, in general, everywhere,” Howerton said. “I like the chaos of it all, all the conflicting things that I am into placed on my wall, and as soon as you walk into my room, you’re immediately like, ‘Yeah, this is what she likes.’

[I like] decorating a space that is overwhelming, just an assault on the eyes.”

Garza said she finds her home in the emulation of life in a thematic format of plants and the outside.

“I think that my decorations are less about expression and more about emulating what I really enjoy in my life,” Garza said. “It’s about surrounding myself with pieces that make me happy and make my college apartment more than a place to stay and more like a home.”

However, Howerton said she finds her sense of home in the filling of space that should be used to its potential.

“I like the personality of a maximalist … [trying] to incorporate a homey and cozy vibe, since to me, a room with barren walls or lots of empty space personally doesn’t feel like home to me as it’s synonymous with moving, which stresses me out,” Howerton said. “People say I’m cluttered, but I’m comfortable with clutter. This is my one place where I’m allowed to take up space, so I take advantage of that.”

Both Howerton and Garza said they never followed a set of instructions, but a flow of comfort which came pouring into their walls and shelves.

“I’m pretty satisfied with it, but I never try to be too satisfied,” Howerton said. “I never like to get too comfortable with one style

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 21

of things. I’m always changing and my space should reflect that, but right now, I’m pretty satisfied for the most part.”

Artistic decorations can be easily collected, bought and created. Decorators can be divided into the collectors, who simply purchase and collect art that fit their experiences, and the creators, who go one step further and conceive the images of the suited setting. While the collector can be seen as someone who obtains visual media from the outside world, the creator is one who creates imitations of objects and ideas of the outside world.

Additionally, the creator may even sell their work to others who seek to collect décor from local artists and creators. A collector may hang a picture of an art master, finding a connection with the produced image made by the artist, while the creator produces an imitation of the image birthed from their cumulative experience of artistic input and expression.

Education junior and local artist Stacia Angela said her artistic style is best described as brazen iconography of a woman’s identity, centering around a surrealist artistic perspective.

“Each one of [my pieces] have vibrant color,” Angela said. “Even though there’s a lot of different colors and textures, they are somehow all blended together.”

It’s a combination of creation and collection which Angela said fills her home.

“What I’ve made and what I have are fairly similar,” Angela said. “I paint things that make me happy, primarily with the concepts of colors. I also make décor like my cake mirrors that I think go well with my current style.”

Angela doesn’t just make decorations for herself, but for others who find that same passion in her creations, having her own Instagram page where she shows and sells said art, @femme.artura. Students who purchase from a local artist can find understanding in an art piece from a person within their community who shares a similar experience, possibly even a different one. The decorator doesn’t just bring the outside world into their room, but a local entity that can evoke contemporary commentary of the decorator’s proximal outside world.

While décor like posters become evocative of a distant fantasy, local art becomes the weaver of a local reality that can be directly interacted with, creating a perfect connection between individual, art and community.

“As an artist, seeing other people appreciate my art and styling makes me happy,” Angela said. “I’m glad that I’m able to help people fill up their empty spaces with things they love, and it makes me happier to see that my own art is one of the things they love.”

Ruben Hernandez — THE BATTALION

Education junior Stacia Angela creates and sells décor locally like the paintings pictured above, focusing on a surrealist perspective of a woman’s identity and using vibrant colors.

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 22

‘Oh, the places you’ll go’

Cameron Johnson — THE BATTALION

Students bus, bike, drive or walk on foot to get around campus for their daily activities and classes.

A&M provides multiple ways for students to travel around campus

By Michaela Rush @Michaela4Batt

T

he total size of Texas A&M’s College Station campus is 5,200 acres, which seems vast and intimidating.

Thankfully, most students don’t have to cover this full area during their education in Aggieland, but it highlights the importance of having reliable transportation.

From wherever you call home, to class, to nights on the town, here’s how to get around campus and Bryan-College Station: On foot Price: Free Not only is walking around campus free and eco-friendly, but this option is also an easy way to maintain your physical health without having to make a trip to the Student Recreation Center.

According to the Mayo Clinic, walking can improve cardiovascular fitness, strengthen your bones and muscles and even increase energy levels.

While campus is designed for students to walk, students who come from off-campus housing can use a questionnaire at www. nhtsa.gov/pedestrian-safety/how-walkable-your-community to determine how walkable their neighborhood is and determine if it’s safe and efficient to get to campus in this manner.

Biking Price: $10 for registration, or 50 cents per 30 minutes on VeoRide

Students who choose to bring a bike to campus must register it with the university through Transportation Services, with a onetime fee of $10.

Bringing a bike lock is recommended to ensure bikes stay secure, and various stations can be found around campus, free of charge, for students to fix minor problems with their bikes.

Students who choose to use VeoRide can download the free app, load money and then scan the QR code on any of the teal bicycles around campus, with a fee of 50 cents for every 30 minutes of use. Be sure to re-rack the bikes to avoid any fines.

Scootering Price: Personal starting at $300; or $1 to unlock, then 25 cents per minute on VeoRide Some students have found they need a faster and less sweaty way to get around town.

Electrical engineering senior Dakota Mouton said he decided to invest in a personal electric scooter, which avoids the restrictions of campus scooters.

“The electric scooter was the best investment for me,” Mouton said. “Any student, especially the people who live on the outskirts of campus, can get around very easily.

I think they’re super worth the investment.

The VeoRide moped can add up very quickly, and there’s limitations on where you can use them.”

Mouton said the decision to buy the scooter came from his previous experience biking to campus and his desire to not feel exhausted upon arrival to class.

“When I’m biking to class, my route has a lot of ups and downs. The ups on the bike are exhausting, you’re sweating when you get to the top and by the time you get to class

you’re drenched,” Mouton said. “It’s probably a 20- to 30-minute walk from my house to class. With the time I spent getting to and from class, it was worth it [to buy a scooter].”

Buses Price: Free The premiere service provided by A&M’s Transportation Services are the buses, which boast routes on and off campus, all of which are covered by students’ tuition and fees.

The Aggie Spirit buses offer live updates for buses, so all students can keep track of their route, which is available online or in the Texas A&M app.

Biomedical sciences sophomore Elizabeth Bono said the buses are the way she most frequently gets around campus, especially as a student who lives on campus.

“Most of my classes this semester are on main campus, on north campus,” Bono said.

“There’s a bus that stops at White Creek [Apartments], and it takes me from White Creek to the [Memorial Student Center], and it goes one stop further to Beutel, which is as far into campus as it goes. It’s close enough to Northside that I just get off there and walk.”

Bono said her favorite part of the bus is saving money on daily parking and knowing she can still get to her commitments throughout the day. “[The bus] makes it so I don’t have to pay for parking everyday. I’ve had pretty good experiences with the buses,” Bono said. “I’ve been able to find a bus that can take me anywhere I need to go, at least on campus. Sometimes, it’s a little difficult jumping between buses, but I make it work.”

For students wanting to use the bus services, Bono said she recommends that students know the routes near them and what

trips may require more than one route.

“The White Creek stop only has one bus that goes down there, so I don’t have any difficulty going where I need to go because the bus takes me to main campus,” Bono said. “If I were to want to go over to Reed Arena, I don’t have a bus I can take.

I would have to get onto main campus and then jump on another bus to take me off of main campus.”

Parking on/near campus Price: From $1-$3 an hour, or up to $550 for a full-year permit For students living on campus or traveling from housing further from campus, parking on campus is a great option to get you into and out of campus borders, and is available in multiple formats for students.

For hourly parking, students can park in public garages: Central Campus, University Center, Polo Road, Gene Stallings, West Campus or Northside garages. Parking ranges from $1-$3 hourly, with live updates on space availability on the parking website.

For more consistent parking, students can purchase a parking pass for a variety of garages and lots across campus. Parking pass registration typically occurs during the summer months, allowing all classifications to purchase passes.

Even for those who are unable to secure a pass, spots open throughout the year and passes can be bought at a prorated rate based on the number of weeks remaining in the pass’s validity.

Advice from current students Bono said, for her, knowing available campus resources, like accessing campus transit through the Texas A&M app, has made the day-to-day much less stressful.

“There’s an app, and I don’t think a lot of people know about the app,” Bono said.

“It tells you exactly where the buses are, so I use it a lot when I’m about to head out of my apartment, so I’m not just standing there for ten minutes with the bus nowhere near.”

Mouton said the best advice he would give for getting to class, regardless of where you live, is to plan ahead, and pay attention to trends on your route.

“When you’re figuring out where your classes are before the semester, I would recommend taking a walk around campus and see how long it takes you to walk everywhere, and you can do the same thing with biking,” Mouton said. “Compare [walking to] biking or VeoRide or taking a scooter, and then you can determine the optimal time and notice traffic to keep that in mind for the future.”

Your Aggieland off-campus housing search starts here.

Find housing, roommates and resources.

AGGIESEARCH.TAMU.EDU AggieSearch is Texas A&M University’s only official off-campus housing search website.

It’s more than an old ring.

All its polish and ornate details may be gone, leaving only an amorphous wad of gold, but its owner sees it differently.

For him, this old ring represents a special place and time where he learned who he was and what he could become.

Neither he nor this ring looks the same as they did then, but they both still shine, nevertheless.

Since 1953, donors to the Texas A&M Foundation have helped provide life-changing scholarships and support for Texas A&M University students earning their Aggie rings. Learn how you can help build a brighter future for Aggies today and tomorrow at txamfoundation.com.

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