Your counselor has just released you for the first time since you have been introduced to your group. It’s been nonstop icebreakers, games, informational meetings and WALKING, and now the choice is yours on how to spend your allotted amount of free time.
Now, of course, you are supposed to pick from the list of smaller and more interest-specific informational meetings that have been compiled by the First Year Experience to be beneficial for you and your family members to attend and learn more about the University.
However, if you are feeling restless, can’t imagine sitting through another informational meeting or do not want to reiterate your first couple Tiger Talks to your parents, we have a better idea.
To be clear, this is in no way discouraging attendance to these meetings. I for one, without the knowledge this cool article, sat through three lengthy but very resourceful informational meetings with my parents, did the housing tour and before I knew it was right back in my group on my way to the next informational meeting. Don't be me. Instead, try these activities on for size.
1. Grab your new friends and take the stroll to Toomer’s.
While there will be an opportunity to visit Toomer’s later in the evening for ice cream, grabbing a famous lemonade and hanging out with some of the people in your group is a great way to talk in a less forced environment. Explore your new school together as you walk through some of the loveliest and most traditional parts of campus. Plus, it is summertime in Alabama so a cool beverage never hurts.
2. Go to one of the local bookstores. If your parents are feeling
3. Get Chick-fil-A while you can. If you have worked up an appetite get yourself to the Chick-fil-A in the Student Center while you still can. This will be one of the few times and a real luxury when you can get through the extensive labyrinth and get your food in under 10 minutes. Come fall, you can kiss this and at least 15 minutes goodbye.
4. Bring Momma Goldberg’s with you where you go. If you are feeling up for a little snack and in the mood for the Auburn-established deli, head down to the convenience store on the bottom floor of the Student Center and pick yourself up a bag of nacho cheese Doritos and one of their on-the-go packages with cheese. Taking these supplies across the hall to the microwave, place the cheese over the chips and heat until the cheese is melted. When it is done you will have a warm snack and mastered a dorm recipe that you can commit to memory for the rest of the year.
5. Gather a group and head toward Samford Lawn. Taking friends from high school or your hometown and your new acquaintances from your group, head over to Samford Lawn for some time to relax and hang out. Play a pick-up game or just socialize and acquaint yourselves with one another at your new school in one of the most beloved locations on campus.
6. Take a trip to the Arboretum. Just passed the President’s house stations our school’s arboretum, a quiet, natural oasis filled with trees and plants of varying origin, a
7. Read the rest of this paper. If the heat has gotten to the best of you or you are in search for a little, “me time” find a comfy, quiet spot in the student center (most likely check the third floor) and read this copy of The Auburn Plainsman. This issue has been compiled by former and present Auburn students who have reflected on their experiences and are offering their advice and expertise to the incoming students. Read this issue in its entirety and learn about the most recent happenings on campus, some of the in’s and out’s of college and hey, you are already skipping the informational meetings, so you can read this paper.
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