The prototypical college experience combines a general mélange of studying, partying, networking, and being poor and jaded; but there is also a local element at play. Each campus has a unique culture of people, places, and things that separates it from the prototype. As an undergrad, I had my share of nondescript encounters. But the State University of New York at Albany made more specific contributions to my college experience. I’m fairly sure I learned something. To that end, SUNY students may be compelled to action by this list. To say you must do these things may be an overstatement, but they do come highly recommended.
1.) Go to the Fountain
Attending Fountain Day is a must-do that can’t be done. What used to be the University’s flagship event drew thousands of students, faculty, and alumni each year to celebrate the start of spring. Fountain Day was a festive campus tradition, so festive in fact that in 2011 school president George M. Philip suspended the annual ceremony due to safety concerns. Some students may have mistakenly associated a gathering of beach balls, bikinis, and wet young people with UAlbany’s reputation as a party school. And that’s unfortunate, because while Fountain Day sometimes felt like a cross between Woodstock and The Jersey Shore, it nonetheless promoted an upbeat, social campus environment and brought people together. However, all hope isn’t lost: the Fountain (newly renovated) still gets turned on toward the end of April and students are always welcome to dip their feet.
2.) Take this advisor else
You’re not psychic. You probably don’t even know what will happen tonight. Rather than calling Miss Cleo about your education, you’re encouraged instead to meet with an academic advisor and discuss certain choices that may affect your post graduation options. Academic advisors work with you to determine the most appropriate path in life, taking into account your sensibilities, skills, grades, and other factors. UAlbany offers 50 undergraduate majors and a variety of student services and opportunities career planning and study abroad, to name two so there are many possibilities to consider when making a decision. It’s worth 15 of your most valuable minutes to consult an academic advisor about your future. You might even become friends.
3.) Plan your payback
Even though Albany is a state university, someone is still shelling out $20,000 a year to make sure you learn there. Chances are, that someone is named Sallie Mae or Freddie Mac, or something comparably farmer esque. Unpleasant as the thought may be, it’s good to keep this fact bookmarked in the back of your mind; for one day soon, you’ll owe these people a lot of money. Upon graduation, there is a six-month grace period for most student loans. Then your options lessen. You don’t want to be harassed by daily calls from creditors or have a foot tall stack of bills on your coffee table. Reach out to the Student Financial Center or the bursar’s office for information and advice pertaining to your loans. It’s a dreary, sometimes repulsive task but the alternative will be far worse.
If you’re interested in State University of New York at Albany, check out our article on 5 Things I wish I Knew Before Attending SUNY at Albany.
4.) Hang at Collins Circle
It’s a big, green spheroid you can’t miss it. Located at the campus’s main entrance off Washington Avenue, Collins Circle provides a park-like atmosphere in the midst of the nation’s second largest concrete structure. Particularly appealing in fair weather, the Circle is where young people congregate to throw Frisbees and relax in the sun. As a CDTA bus stop, Collins Circle is a landmark for directing friends and visitors, but it’s also large enough to offer privacy if you just want to read a book outside. A landscaping crew keeps the grounds well manicured, because they know few things are more appealing to college students than grass.
5.) Learn to recycle
You should already know that cans and bottles are worth $.05 each. Kudos if you already return pre-drunk beverages; but for those unfamiliar with recycling, UAlbany makes it easy to get acquainted. The University’s Office of Environmental Sustainability supports its participation in Recycle-mania, an interscholastic competition promoting green practices. Students can earn credits working for the OES, which also sponsors an on-campus clothing drive and composting operation. And there are bins in every dorm building, so you can finally scale back that desktop collection of empty Red Bulls.
Jared Levine graduated from SUNY at Albany student in 2010 and still has a flip phone.