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This is a cross-post from my blog on Spartan Connect. Check out the original post here.

When you live on campus, you have a variety of services that offered to you for help and fun. Many of these services are free! (Or, as my father would say, “included in tuition”)

Feeling sick? Olin Health Center is located on the most northern part of campus, right on East Circle Drive. You can take the 33, 31, or the 1 bus in order to get there. In addition, if you’re extremely ill, they do have courtesy shuttles that take students back and forth. You get 6 free visits a year, and they have a pharmacy right inside to take care of any prescriptions. Honestly, it gets a bad rep. People tell you to steer clear. The one experience I’ve had, I had been losing feeling in my left hand. Turns out I had carpal tunnel syndrome. From setting up my appointment through the pharmacy, it was a highly professional environment. In addition, Olin has a satellite in Hubbard Hall and the Brody Complex.

Feeling blue? The Counseling Center is another fantastic resource. With 8 free visits a semester (and a small fee for extended counseling) and a versatile staff, there is a counselor for anyone. They do take walk-ins, and you can also schedule appointments in advance. This is a resource that I’ve taken advantage of as well. At the end of my sophomore year, I was feeling anxious. It felt difficult to reach out to friends, and I started having panic attacks.

I signed up at the Counseling Center to meet with a counselor. I met with him every week through the end of the semester. It really helped me get my life back on track, and I tried not to worry about the overwhelming feeling.

It is naturally to be scared when you go to college. It’s natural to miss home, your friends, your pets, and feel lonely. It happens to almost everyone. That doesn’t mean that you have to go through it alone. Talk to your mentor if you’re feeling blue or make an appointment with the Counseling Center.

Are you thinking about internships and your future career? Do you have no idea what you want to do? Head to the Career Services Center, and you can take a career test based on your skills and interests to give you some ideas. They have several services here, including looking at your resumes, mock interviews, and a host of career fairs. This is an often neglected area until students are close to graduating. Start taking advantage of it now to get a leg up on your college career.

There are several facilities for sports and athletics available on campus. IM Sports has three buildings that feature everything from basketball and tennis courts to gyms with treadmills, and even a pool (at IM West). You can register for a membership, pay individually for days, or sign up for athletic classes. In addition, Munn Ice Arena has ice skating. There are a variety of athletic opportunities.

Take advantage of the plethora of resources you have while living on campus. If you decide to move off in your future, I promise you will miss them.

Feel free to tweet me at @heyawhite with any follow up questions or conversation!