Student Blog: Student Life at UConn

Student life is a major factor for prospective students to consider when deciding which college to attend. It’s important to know what your college will offer for students outside of the classroom, as college is more than academics. With college commitment season in full swing, it’s the perfect time for me to discuss student life at the University of Connecticut. 

UConn is located in a very rural area. There’s a small downtown area near campus with a few places to eat and shop, but aside from that, you’ll have to travel if you want to experience more than what’s downtown. This makes student life on campus extremely important, because the main way to stay occupied is to get involved directly on campus. 

On campus, there are many ways to get involved. One of the main ways is to join one of UConn’s many clubs and organizations. Between Greek life and various clubs, there are so many options. If you can think of an activity, there is most likely a club for it. Another way to get involved is to go to sporting events. UConn has a great basketball program, so it’s always fun to go to the men’s or women’s basketball games throughout the season. The energy is always electric and exciting: we have a lot of school spirit, and it’s evident at sporting events. Another way to have fun is by going to the Student Union. Equipped with a game room, cultural centers, and even a theater, there’s a lot to do. One of my favorite events at the Student Union is Late Night. Every Friday night there’s a new theme, and there are many fun activities to do. They typically have popcorn and crafts, and a movie is typically playing in the theater as well. It’s a great way to meet new people and have fun if going out doesn’t appeal to you. 

Off campus, as previously mentioned, there’s Downtown Storrs. With a Price Chopper, CVS, Insomnia Cookies, and Subway among other places, there’s plenty of places to grab a bite to eat or get some essentials. However, there isn’t much beyond that. The only way to venture out if you don’t have a car is by using public transportation, such as buses or trains. Luckily, UConn along with other Connecticut schools offers a U-Pass, which allows students to use public transportation for free. My favorite place to venture off-campus is the nearby mall, which is accessible by bus. There are many popular shops that aren’t in Storrs, which makes the mall an exciting place to be. 

Overall, while there is a lot to do on campus, the off-campus scene can be improved. Luckily, there are some workarounds, such as using your U-Pass while waiting to have enough credits to bring your car. Nevertheless, I love my school and I highly recommend coming to UConn. There are a lot of ways to get involved on campus and the school spirit makes me super proud that I go here.