Advice for New Students at Indiana University

Indiana University Bloomington is a great college located in a great college town. If you're new to the school, here are some tips to make your transition into the university and the town easier.

Good Food

Take advantage of the wide variety of eateries that Bloomington has to offer. Laughing Planet Cafe, located at 322 E. Kirkwood, is a great place to eat and hang out. Their food is good and reasonably priced at five bucks or less. For the best pizza delivery, go with Mad Mushroom on North Walnut Street. They have a tasty pizza, they're cheap and they're open until 2am most days and 4am on the weekend. Bloomington has become a hub of multiculturalism, so be sure to enjoy the ethnic cuisine downtown. Amol India and Dats Cajun Creole are just a couple of great restaurants that help celebrate the diversity of B-Town.

Good Times

Head over to Bear's Place for great music, comedy and good food. Located at 1316 E. 3rd Street right in the center of campus, its fun, laid-back atmosphere makes it a prime place to meet up with friends and relax. Check out the Buskirk Chumley Theater on Kirkwood for more entertainment. This historic building offers great concerts, films and guest appearances by well-known musicians. For questions or concert information, call 812-323-3020.

Good Grades

The Indiana Memorial Union (IMU) on campus offers multiple lounges and comfortable seating for studying. Wifi is available throughout the building and the Student Information Technology Center has computers where you can check email and get on-line. Coffee shops, the IMU Bookstore, and ATMs are just a few other perks of the Union. Some areas of the building are even open 24 hours. Soma Coffeehouse and Juicebar is another great place to study. Located at 322 E. Kirkwood (below Laughing Planet Cafe), it's known for its coffee and vegan baked goods. The atmosphere is comfortable and they also offer free wifi.

Good to Know
Parking on campus is limited and a pain. Be prepared to pay a hefty parking ticket if you park in an unauthorized spot. My advice: ditch your car. Walk, ride a bike, or invest in a bus pass to get you to and from class and around town. It's a large campus but fairly accessible and easy to maneuver. Still, if you plan on hoofing it, take care not to schedule classes close together on opposite ends of the campus.

These are just a few things that Indiana University and the town of Bloomington have to offer. Take advantage of both the university and the community to get the most out of your college experience.