The Top 10 Resources to Utilize at Rutgers University

Rutgers is, to say the least, a big school. I mean, it has 25,000+ undergrads, is spread out into 5 separate campuses and requires a bus system to get around. However, what is often overlooked is how many valuable resources has to offer and because the university is so big, most students are lucky to explore half of them by the time they graduate. However, in this blog post you will see that I have made a list of the top ten resources on the Rutgers Campus. Some of the picks will leave you saying "well duh, that's so obvious" while others may make you think a little. So without further ado, here is the Top 10 Resources to Utilize at Rutgers University.

10. Computer Labs

The computer labs are very important to a student's life at Rutgers. They provide scores of Macs and PCs so that each student can choose the computer in which they prefer. The computer labs are perfect for writing papers, doing group projects, or just to kill time in between classes. But when it is 11pm and you have a paper due the next day and you need a quiet, studious environment to study in, the computer labs are always a good choice

9. Student Centers/Campus Center

The students centers/campus centers are a great resource to utilize. Many clubs and organizations hold their meetings in these buildings and these student/campus centers also provide students with furnished lounges, perfect for studying or just relaxing, and various different restaurants (that accept RU Express) which come in handy when the dining hall food starts to get a little old. There are also a number of events that go on in the student/campus center such as blood drives, guest speakers, concerts, etc. 

8. Health Centers

The health centers are life savers on campuses. When you go to a school with 25,000+ other students, odds are you are going to get sick. It is a sheer miracle if you make it through an entire year of school without catching a virus or just a cold. Fear not, though. There are various health centers set up around the campus that can help you with any medical need, from prescribing antibiotics for Strep Throat to delivering a simple flu shot. Each health center also has its own pharmacy that carries cough drops, nasal spray and just about anything else you need to combat that pesky cold or those irritating allergies. 

7. Gyms

Believe it or not, the food at Rutgers really isn't bad; actually it is quite good! And it can be very easy to lose sight of all of those calories being consumed at the Grease Trucks, Stir Fry night at Brower and the Pasta Stations and Fat Sandwhich Takeout on Busch. To stay in shape and avoid the dreaded Freshman 15, Rutgers has a gym on every campus equipped with treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, basketball courts, free weights and in some of the gyms, Olympic size pools and racquetball courts. Each one is a state of the art facility and is free for all students!

6. Bus System

The fuel that keeps the Rutgers engine running. The bus system at Rutgers provide clean, comfortable buses  for students to utilize when traveling for campus to campus. Each bus is equipped with plenty of comfortable seat, ample standing room and some of the nicest and most experienced bus drivers in the state. You may even run into Stan, the preaching LX Bus Driver who has become a local celebrity at Rutgers. On every bus trip he encourages his students to never give up and to be "hungry for knowledge." He loves and believes in all of the students here at Rutgers and when you get on his bus, you can't help but smile and be in a good mood.

5. Residence Halls

Nothing feels better than coming back to the residence halls after a long day of class. You shed your backpack in your room and have the option to take a nap, converse with other students in the residence halls in the lounges or sit at you spacious desk (which Rutgers provides) and start your work (if you're feeling ambitious that is). The residence halls is not simply just a place to sleep, rather it is a place to live. Each residence hall has a number of qualified, fun and helpful resident assistants (RAs) that provide his/her residents with fun and informative programs and serve as a resource and a friend, who is there to help with any conflict you may have, whether it be school related or resident hall related. In the residences halls, you have to opportunity to bond with others and establish friendships and relationships with others. There are even special interest housing where you can live with others who are studying the same major as you, automatically giving each resident something in common with every other resident.

4. Learning Centers

College classes are a lot different and a lot harder than high school classes. Not everyone adjusts so quickly to college style academics, which is fine because there is plenty of help to be offered at the learning centers. Each learning centers have many tutors who are more than willing to help out students who are feeling a bit overwhelmed with their studies. Each tutor is qualified and many students who seek services from the learning centers see improved results in their classes. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP. At Rutgers, everyone is here to help each other which is why the learning centers are such a key resource on campus. 

3. Athletic Facilities - "The RAC"

Some people may say that this is way too high on the list but I disagree. No one feels the pride and passion of Rutgers until they go to an athletic event. There are many athletic events open to students throughout the year including football games at High Point Solutions Stadium and men and women's basketball games at the Louis Brown Athletic Center aka The RAC. Each sporting event is free for students which makes going to these events even better. Nothing makes you feel more passionate about Rutgers and nothing makes you feel more like a true Scarlet Knight than when you are surrounded by thousands of other students and alumni cheering and screaming for our Scarlet Knights. RU RAH.

2. Career Services

CAREER SERVICES! CAREER SERVICES! CAREER SERVICES! This is such an important resource for students on campus. Think about it. Why do you go to college? Simple. To get the education needed for a good job in an area that interests you. The classrooms will provide you with the information but where do you from there? Career services assist you in many aspects of the job/internship search. They help you with your resume, offer programs to make students aware of how to conduct themselves in business environments and host many career fairs that allow students to make the connections with potential employers. Career services cares about what the students do with the education they receive at Rutgers. Go early! It is never too early to go to career services and just start thinking about your future after your time at Rutgers.

AND THE NUMBER ONE RESOURCE AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY IS............

1. Classroom

This is a no brainer: you come to college to get a good education and where does one obtain that education? Ding! Ding! Ding! You you got it: The classroom. At Rutgers, each student receives a wonderful education from some of the most qualified and notable professors in the world. Each professor offers office hours where students can get one on one help with their professors. Not to mention, each class has one or more teaching assistants who also serve to help the students with the coursework (they have their own office hours too). Rutgers is a very prestigious institution for a reason and in the classroom, each student will experience first hand why that is.