While it is useful to know the best things to do in college, sometimes it is just as important to know what to avoid. Below are 5 things that I recommend you avoid at Carnegie Mellon University. Following this guidance will help you stay safe, save money, and remain focused.
1.) Parking on campus
Although the parking garage may be more expensive if you are only going to be on campus for a short period of time, you avoid the risk of returning to your vehicle to find a parking ticket. Streets on campus are monitored by the Pittsburgh Parking Authority, and they do not hesitate to issue tickets to students who forget to pay the hourly rate! Parking is free after 6 pm, but by that time it is usually challenging to find an open spot.
2.) Leaving your dormitory door open or unlocked
Even if you are comfortable with the other students living on your floor, it is impossible to account for everyone. Students frequently visit housing areas where they do not live, so you never know who is in your building. If you do not lock your door, or even forget to close it, you are a prime target for theft. This occurs more often than you think and is very easy to avoid. Just be sure to remember your key when you leave the room!
3.) Walking anywhere off campus alone
Carnegie Mellon’s campus is relatively safe, but the Pittsburgh area is not. In today’s day and age, you can never be too careful. Oakland is a busy area and it is easy to get lost in the crowd. If you absolutely need to be somewhere off campus, ask a friend to accompany you or call SafeWalk. This program is organized through student life and is designed to ensure safety by escorting students to their desired destination during late hours. Utilizing this program helps you avoid potentially dangerous situations. Campus is obviously not completely safe, but I felt far more comfortable on campus than I did in other areas of the city. Also, I always made sure I was with a friend.
4.) Skipping class & not studying
Most, if not all, students at Carnegie Mellon performed exceptionally well in high school. Advanced placement classes were a breeze and the workload was minimal. However, Carnegie Mellon is nothing like high school. While you may have graduated valedictorian with a grade point average well over 4.0, do not expect to continue overachieving if you do not attend class or study. I had to learn this the hard way as a freshman. Accustomed to doing the bare minimum and still excelling, I did not take the first half of my fall semester seriously and my grades suffered. It took a lot of work to make up for this lack of effort in the first half. Stay focused!
5.) Buying anything at Entropy
Unless you absolutely need something and it is too late to head to Giant Eagle or another nearby grocery store, do not make any purchases at Entropy. It is conveniently located in the University Center, but the prices are higher than your alternative locations. The only students who should buy food or supplies at Entropy are those with extra flex money on their meal plan. Otherwise, I would avoid wasting your money here when you can take a short walk and save enough money for it to be worthwhile.
Realistically, all of these things are easy to avoid. Keep your door locked and refrain from walking alone when possible. Park your car in the garage or walk to your classes and shop at a local grocery store. Most importantly, go to class and study!
Matthew Remaley is a 2014 honors graduate from Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance as well as a minor in Biomedical Engineering.