DO take advantage of the free food during Welcome Week. You will have time to enjoy that sandwich from Potbelly’s later in the year, and your GWorld balance and bank account will certainly thank you in December.
DON’T miss out on Fall Fest. Program Board aims to book performers students will enjoy. Make sure you get there early so you don’t miss out on the giveaways.
DO sign up for student organizations. Step out of your comfort zone and try something new just because it seems fun or unique. You can always request to be taken off the e-mail list if you decide not to participate.
DON’T wait until the first day of classes to find out where they are – you might not get to them on time. Freshmen, make sure you can recognize the entrance to 2020 K and scope out your classes in Phillips and Rome Halls – these buildings can be tricky to navigate.
DO take advantage of the good weather early in the semester. Play Frisbee on University Yard, go swimming at the outdoor pool on the Mount Vernon Campus, have lunch in Kogan Plaza or study down by the Lincoln Memorial or on the National Mall.
DON’T forget to get a punch card from your favorite spots on campus, like Cone E. Island or Pita Pit. You probably will have consumed enough skinny minnies and pitas to get free ones by the end of the semester, and it will be a lovely surprise when you do. Venues like Sweetgreen and Starbucks also offer point-based rewards cards.
DO skip a meal at J Street for a savory or sweet treat from the food trucks parked on campus. The lobster roll truck has a long line for a reason, and don’t knock kabobs from a truck until you try them. You can even follow some of them on Twitter to find out when they will be on or near campus.
DON’T be afraid of the Vern. The campus is a convenient place to escape the craziness of downtown D.C., many of the facilities are new and you will be rewarded for studying in Eckles Library with empty study rooms and 50 cent coffee from the student lounge.
DO get to know your professors personally, especially the ones in your major. Most of them are experts in their field, have great experiences to share and will most likely be good references in the future.
DON’T sleep all your Sundays away. Set your alarm on at least a few Sunday mornings and go to brunch on the Vern, or venture over to Eastern Market for some shopping.
DO visit the FRESHFARM Market by the Foggy Bottom Metro station. It’s open Wednesdays 3 to 7 p.m. from April 6 to Nov. 23. If you have class during that time, there is a market near the White House, on Vermont Avenue between H and I streets Thursday.
DON’T spend all of first semester on campus – venture into D.C. There are several festivals in the fall, like the Adams Morgan festival or the Penn Quarter Arts on Foot Festival. Check out music venues such as the 9:30 Club, make a reservation at Eatonville or grab a jumbo slice in Adams Morgan.
DO leave your door open when you are in your room. It may seem less common at GW than other universities, but it is an easy and friendly way to get to know the people on your floor.
