College is the beginning of a lot of young adult lives. When deciding which college you’re going to, don’t be afraid to ask any question that you want to know. Think about it; you’re going to be here for the next four years. You wouldn’t buy a house before you knew everything you wanted, right? There will be no surprises to you if you treat your campus visit to UNC Charlotte the same way. That in mind, I’m going to give you a list of five things to look for on your next visit.
1.) The Journey
During your campus tour, it would be a good idea to figure out the building where you will stay and how far it is from classes. You can tour the entire campus. There are some dorms that are closer to the classrooms on campus and some are a fifteen-minute walk away. It is important you know this information so that you can plan your time accordingly.
You wouldn’t want to constantly be late to class because you missed the bus and have too far of a walk. The campus tour guides are also students and can show you the quick routes and shortcuts on-campus. Be sure to ask them about shortcuts if they aren’t mentioned.
2.) Parking
Parking at UNC Charlotte isn’t the simplest task in the world. At times, there seem to bemore cars than there are parking spaces, and there are designated lots, so you never know when you may get caught and get a ticket. You can save yourself a lot of headaches on your campus visit by learning the dos and don’ts of UNCC parking. Be sure that you understand the signs that specify certain lots to certain people.
Not everyone who buys a parking pass can park anywhere on campus. There are even parking passes that only allow you to park at your dorm lot anytime on-campus. Parking services tends to change their rules so be sure to ask about days you don’t have to worry about being ticketed. I know from experience you wouldn’t usually have to worry on Thursday through Sunday nights.
3.) Niner Identification
Your Charlotte 49er ID card will be one of the most important things you have on campus. It is the only ID that you have and you keep it all of your years in attendance. The ID card has your student ID number on it and you need it to access multiple things. If you were to lose your card you couldn’t go in the gym, use meals or declining balance to buy food, print papers in the library, and there are many other things you couldn’t access.
No worries though, you’ll be fine if you are sure to find out where the ID office is and it’s hours. The ID office replaces lost cards for free or with a $10 charge if you want a new picture. You can also adjust your meal plan options there.
4.) Student Union
The Student Union is the main attraction on campus. It is very important that you know where the Union is and how to get to it. Many big events are there and you wouldn’t want to miss out. Besides seeing celebrities and shows, the Union has many places to eat and is also directly behind the main bus stop. There is also an information kiosk where you can find out anything you may need to know.
Most students visit the Union everyday of their college career for one reason or another. Whether it be for finding a quiet place to study or buying books that you need for class, the Union plays an imperative role in the life of a Charlotte 49er.
5.) Money, Money, Money
No one ever wants to miss a payment or forget a bill, but it happens. The most visited place that is hated by most of its visitors is the financial aid office and you MUST know where it is.If anything goes awrywith a payment to UNC Charlotte, they very likely will shut you down.
This means that you can’t enroll the next semester, use your card, and anything else to make sure you aren’t eligible on campus. The financial aid office is where you will have to go to make sure you can stay on campus. Enjoy your visit, be sure to see these places, and always ask questions.
David Smith graduated UNC Charlotte in 2012. The world is what you make it.