The Technograph

Freshman Hangouts

A Real Firehouse
-Still 18? Can't get into Firehaus? We suggest freshmen check out all the local fire stations. There's one very convenient for everyone living at Allen. Firefighters save us from fires; it's probably a good idea to befriend them and make sure they know we're worth saving. Go there for a late night game of backgammon or just to chew the breeze with Champaign-Urbana's finest. Tell them Technograph sent you.

Late Night
-Whether you have cafe credits on your I-card or you just want to hang out with some of your friends, Late Night is a popular place to hang out. Did you know that the Busey-Evans Late Night has chocolate covered strawberries?

The Canopy Club
-This venue hosts many great bands, and you only have to be eighteen to get in. The Canopy has everything from movie nights to Piano Man and cover is either cheap or free.

Japanese Tea Garden

Sometimes you will want to get away from the hustle and bustle of campus. The Japanese Tea Garden is close enough for car-less freshmen, and it offers a cool lake and lots of plants. It may smell like old cow farts if the wind blows the wrong direction, but that is a small price to pay for nature and peace.

The Union

Cliché, but it has a lot going for it.  Restaurants, a computer lab, couches to sleep on, and there's usually some performance going on in the Courtyard Cafe in the afternoon.  Occasionally someone will play the piano in the south lounge, and if you're lucky, they'll be good.


Free Stuff

-Engineers get 300 pages a year of printing for free.
-Free condoms from McKinley Health
-Free medicines from McKinley Health
-Free band aids from McKinley Health
-Free t-shirt from the Chancellor at Convocation
-Free engineering t-shirt from the College
-Free stuff in virtually every form on Quad Day
-Look for signs for free food for attending meetings
-Taste of Nevada free food from multicultural houses
-Free t-shirts and frisbees from the Campus Rec Block Party


Studying in Style

Funk Library (ACES Library, South Quad)
-If you're living in FAR, PAR, Allen or just want a library with class, go to the Funk Library. There's no better a name nor better a library than the Funk. Built in 2002, the Funk Library offers the hospitality of the Engineering Library with less crowds. There's a picture of Issac Funk on the second floor: be sure to pay vigil to it.

Grainger Library (Engineering Library, North side of Bardeen Engineering Quad)
- Grainger is the largest engineering library in the country, housing over 300,000 volumes of engineering materials in the 92,000 square feet building. It hosts two computer labs and an EWS Lab in the basement and on the fourth floor. The basement is reserved for silent study, with many books occupying the space. The second floor hosts an open courtyard area with a number of tables for studying. The third floor holds a majority of books with some hidden study areas. The fourth floor has group study rooms and a large open study area. Noise is allowed and usually warranted on this floor. You will definitely get some work done on the fourth floor, along with having a great time. Overall, this library is the best on campus. Its popularity can be a problem, however, when everyone on campus comes to study for exams. There is simply not enough space. If you must use Grainger during exam week, take advantage of the 24 hours and go in the middle of the night when there aren't as many students. 

Undergrad Library (Undergraduate Library, Middle of Campus just south of Foellinger underground) - This library doesn't look like much from the outside. I mean, all you can see is a hole in the ground. Yes, this library is underground. It is a two-story masterpiece, all under your feet. The undergrad is the place to be. I don't know of much learning that goes on here, but it certainly is the place to party if you are one that parties in a library. The first floor, or the floor closest to ground level, houses a majority of the books and resources needed. It also has a coffee shop and tunnel to the Main Library. The lowest level of the undergrad houses more books and a large collection of movies. They also have video games that you can check out and video game consoles that you can use in the library. The low level does allow for a nice place to nap between classes, and you can even use the patio to get some fresh air while underground.

Espresso Royale
-With seven locations in Champaign-Urbana, you don't have to go far to find an Espresso. All locations have wireless internet, so if you install the university's free VPN software you can get all your homework done in a relaxing environment. Espresso also has a buy-ten-get-one-free card for beverages, so you can save a little cash while you enjoy all the food and drink they won't let you take into the library.

Law Library -  If you need complete silence when you study, the law library is the perfect place for you.  Located on the south side of campus (near the ARC), the library has two floors full of cubicles and open study tables.  Just don't plan on making any noise while you're there - the law students will attack you.

Siebel Center - If you get distracted just by the presence of other people, try Siebel Center.  It's a cool building with a balcony and tables scattered on different floors.  In the evening, the upper levels are completely deserted. If you're with a group, you can nicely ask a grad student to let you into one of their conference rooms. 

County Market - Open 24 hours, a recently built grocery store on Fourth and Springfield has free wifi on the top floor but with limited seating. However, if you get the munchies while you are studying, just hop on down the stairs and buy whatever you want. Very convenient, no?


Dorm Food

PAR
-Newly renovated for last year, PAR outdoes itself. While eating there, there's not a second you think you're eating in a dorm. Set up like a food court, PAR offers stir-fry, freshly made pizza and pasta, Mexican food and a variety of desserts for every lunch and dinner. Go here if you want to pretend you're not in college but some big-shot executive at a large corporation taking his/her lunch at the company's food court (metaphor).


Six Pack

-Go Wednesdays to Fat Don's for some big juicy meals.

ISR
-La Cocina Mexicana on Fridays has generic Mexican food that you'll eventually get sick of if you live there. However, check out their desserts; flan, cinnamon ice cream, churros...yum.

Secret Channels

The following channels are never listed in Internet TV schedules:
BBC America
NASA TV

Or, you should cancel your cable and go to Sidereel.com.  It links to both legal and shady sites so you can power through The Wire seasons with abandon.

Or, you can watch any British TV channel live on tvcatchup.com, only if you're in the UK. (or on a proxy server like rapidcloak.com)

Dealing with the Random Roommate

-Chances are you're both from Chicagoland; talk about that. A joke about Rod Blagojevich might break the ice, for example:
You: Man that governor sucked, he withheld funds from a children's hospital if they didn't give him a political donation.
Roommate: I know, right. I'm your roommate this year.
You: Pleasure to meet you.
Roommate: It's good to know you're from Illinois; that lets me know I can relate to you.
You: Gee, this sure is swell. Damn that governor.
-Be open-minded. Just because someone may not think exactly the way you do doesn't mean you can't learn something from them.
-Discuss potential concerns upon moving in rather than waiting until a problem arises.
-Use headphones.  While you may think Lithuanian polka music is awesome, don't assume your roommate does too.

-Talk to your roommate. Ask questions. Openness leads to good relationships. It's better to be honest and upfront than not to say anything. If your roommate doesn't appreciate your honesty, at least you got everything out there.
-Don't do anything to your roommate that you wouldn't want done to you. Otherwise, you're asking for it.
-If you and your roommate are having a rough time finding something in common, go out together! There are hundreds of things to do and see on campus, and chances are you'll both enjoy at least some of them. Plus, it might give you a chance to ask your roommate where all the food your mom brought went...

Facebook Tips

With parents increasingly joining the network, Facebook etiquette becomes more important than in high school. You will increasingly be in situations that have a proliferation of alcohol, drugs and cameras.

-Privacy settings are key. It's important to monitor what people can see if they're looking at your profile. Keep in mind that future employers or even professors may have access to your profile. Either edit your information accordingly, or adjust your privacy settings to avoid trouble.
-If you find any compromising pictures of yourself, make sure it untag it right away, or you may forget about it.

Cheapest Places to Eat

Unfortunately, the Burger King on Green Street closed immediately before freshman year for the seniors in 2006. The McDonald's in the Union closed in 2007. The major fast food is now far off by the mall or a Taco Bell on University Avenue in Urbana. Now, all we have is pricier/healthier offerings. Here's how to pick through them.

Dunkin Donuts
-Pretty cheap, great in the morning.
Subway

-5 dollar foot-longs people! ($5.41 with tax…)
Sbarro

-$.25 pizza slices at Illinites!
-Free pizza at any company info session during the fall - use your Career Center as a menu!
Zorba's

-If you like gyros, this is a great place. Prices range depending on what size gyro you order, but it's great if you're not looking for a huge meal since small sizes are available!

Za's

-Great variety, good prices, delicious food.

Don't forget to save a dollar by asking for free water instead of a fountain drink. Also, lemon wedges + sugar packets = lemonade.  It adds up! 

Where to Work Out

Arc

With all of the new varieties of food one has access to in the dining halls, its always smart to stay in shape. The newly renovated ARC gym not only has the most space, but the best workout equipment on campus. You will never get bored with your workout when you are watching TV on the treadmill or elliptical. There are always basketball and volleyball games happening on the courts, and anyone is allowed to join in! It is a great place to meet people and stay fit during your time away at school.

CRCE
While it may be the ARC's little brother in size, CRCE is close to the Quad and has plenty of exercise machines to keep you happy.  You can join in on some indoor soccer or inline hockey, or maybe get some friends together and reserve the raquetball and squash courts for an hour.  Don't miss the aquatic center, with a mini waterslide and a hot tub that's perfect after a long day of class.

Your room

Too lazy to walk to a gym?  While your room may be cramped, just clean your floor up and try some push-ups, crunches, and lunges.  Even a short workout is better than nothing.  Getting a thorough aerobic exercise would be harder, but not impossible. Maybe try some jumping jacks. However, the people that live below you may eventually complain about the noise.



Best Time-wasting Websites

fmylife.com
thequadblog.com
facebook.com
twitter.com (try twitter.com/Illinois_Alma)
postsecret.blogspot.com
sporcle.com

Finally, when you find yourself spending too much time on the above sites, download the Firefox extension LeechBlock.  Enter in the addresses of websites you're addicted to, specify what time of day you want them blocked, and presto!  It's easier than self-control, but if you find yourself just going to lesser sites, add those to the block list too.

Tagged with: freshman, freshmen, 2013, guide, young, herman, chancellor, hangout, fun