r/PennStateUniversity

If you are new to the area or coming back and have family or friends with you go out to a local place to eat. I overheard a family in the elevator debating between going to Texas Roadhouse or Olive Garden, go try something like Champs or The Tavern instead. There are so many great local restaurants to try in the area, check out the Foodies of State College group if you need suggestions.

Hi, I'm a journalist for Vice Magazine writing an article about the frat coke ring. I'm trying to speak to anyone who knew the guys involved or heard about the ring. Please dm me here.

Hey guys, I'm looking for some feedback on this freshman EE Student schedule. Thanks!

My Fall Schedule

Hi, I"m currently a senior in the south looking to return to the North for college, I've been looking at schools in VA, PA, etc. I was wondering how some current students like Penn and why they picked it over their other choices, especially any biomechanical / biology people :)) Looking for a safe school with decent food, a nice community, and good opportunities

Ok so I’m COMMUTING to berks this year and the welcome weekend stuff seems kinda dumb. On Friday we are doing team building stuff and just learning abt stuff that we don’t rlly need to learn abt and also idk if I should go bc of the seminar lunch thing. And I don’t care for meeting new people if that’s helps. On Saturday it’s really just breakfast and a couple of dumb sessions and then lunch and stuff like kahoot. The into thing I would go to is on Sunday when they do the class walk throughs to know where my classs are at.

So my question is do I NEED to go on Friday or Saturday or do they just encourage it. Bc I don’t care for the meeting people or wtv or games and all that

Hey everyone, looking for some help. My buddy and I are from MA and want to experience a Penn St whiteout game and we’re trying to buy tickets and book stuff now. It obviously hasn’t been announced yet, and I’m wondering if anyone has an idea of when it’ll be? I’d assume October 10th against USC. Any help would be appreciated. TIA

Hi I’m a transfer student and I juts realized that parking passes were available. I’m living in South halls and lots 81 and 83 are already full. I wanted to bring my car for the fall and spring and now I don’t think this we’re anyplace to park on campus. I reached out to transportation services but anyone have advice or competitive private parking lots listings near South ? Worst case scenario I guess I could try the parking garages but those are like $1,200. Any advice helps thanks !

Hi new or returning Penn Staters! I will be returning to Penn State UP as a masters student, and wanted to give realistic advice thats a bit more specific than what you receive at NSO, and would’ve helped me get started. I love Penn State and hope you will too! I‘ll add more as I think of them, and if you have anything to add, please do!

Transportation:

1. White Loop, Blue Loop, and Red Link busses are all free, Hop-On/Off busses. Google Maps will be somewhat accurate, but MYSTOP will give you actual times for your busses, and show you where they are. Give yourself 15-30 minutes of Leeway on the bus, because if you’re getting on at East, chances are the bus will fill up quickly and you’ll need to get on a different one
2. Some busses will take you off campus but need tokens. Grab these from the info desks for 25¢ per. [EDIT: apparently Cata busses are now digitized to allow for Apple Pay]
3. Eisenhower does not have a ticketing system. You can risk parking there for a bit of time without having to pay (I’ve done it for up to 30 min when grabbing something from UHS). [EDIT: they may have added gates recently to Eisenhower]
4. Sidewalks are slippery and slushy during winter. Bring shoes with good tread and invest in waterproofing spray (I bought for $5 and have been using it every year)
5. Speaking of cold, bring your winter coat as SOON as possible and DONT bring it home until school is over. Not even over spring break. I promise.

Partying:

1. Most/All bars will not accept fake IDs. AND they will be more vigilant about finding fakes during the first few weeks after classes start.
2. (Girls) You will need texts to get into frats. Easiest way to do this is to make friends with guys and get their snapchats. (Guys) You will need wristbands to get into frats. Easiest way is for you to already be in a frat, or have good friends in frats.
3. A flattened plastic water bottle stuffed in your shirt/pants is the easiest way to sneak alcohol into frat parties, other than those mini bottles
4. Do sorority stuff as EARLY as possible. It only gets harder to find time, and it’s easier to do it when everyone is your age/year

Extracurriculars:

1. There are 3 gyms available to students: IM will get packed early in the semester, and pretty much stay that way. White building has a pool, and is less packed but also smaller. Westgate is empty, but doesn’t have as much equipment.
2. Download CREC to apply for, and get access to, fitness classes (group lessons). You can sign up starting at midnight, and some can fill up quickly.
3. At midnight, you can schedule order at campus eateries like Starbucks at the HUB. There will always be a long line during class breaks and at noon.
4. Get YikYak for student news, codes for classes, etc.

Money Stuff:

1. Look up “volunteer for penn state studies.” This is an easy way to make cash, and you can sign up for as many as you’d like.
2. If you run out of Meal Plan dollars, add it to your lion cash. Tell the cashier to still pull out of your campus meal plan.
3. Penn state has on campus jobs you can find. The best time to find an off campus job is during breaks, and before school starts. Try looking this week, because they’ll want people for Sylly week.

School:

1. As SOON as you start getting emails, make a “rule” in your inbox, and make folders for specific emails; run the rule and have the emails sent to those folders. I have some for work, newsletters, classes, etc. instead of needing to read every email and deleting them, it’s an easier way to keep your email clean.
2. Go into LionPath, Email schedule to calendar. Puts all the classes in with breaks, teachers, zoom links, etc.
3. During the first or second week (if you can) go to office hours just so the teacher knows you. Then, emailing and getting what you need becomes a LOT easier.
4. Gpa Calculator on LionPath will give you your GPA and needed grades for a certain GPA
5. Academic requirements in LionPath will tell you what courses you need to graduate 
6. Honors courses are not always blocked for Schreyer. These courses end up being similar in difficulty, if not slightly easier, than the regular classes. They are also smaller and it’s easier to get help from teachers. Consider these for your harder classes.

So I’m staying at Alight State College for the upcoming school year, but I’m not really a fan of it, but it’s extremely cheap compared to everywhere else ($600). I’m thinking I’ll stay there this year then move somewhere else next year. Is it possible to get a more decent apartment for no more than $800, with my own bedroom and bathroom if I want to sign before February?

Seems crazy that Sheetz owns this entire region. I'm from western PA and I'm kinda sick of Sheetz and need something new. I love Wawa's pretzels and iced coffee. The cookies & cream milk is sooo delicious. Even the little snack cup full of cheese and pepperoni seems to taste better than whatever Sheetz sells. Please hurry, Wawa!

Please do if you smell. Also tell your friends if they smell. Thanks a lot.