• A NOTE FROM THE EDITORS | 5
• FIRST THINGS FIRST | 6
• THE ULTIMATE COLLEGE PACKING LIST | 8
• UNIVERSITY CALENDAR | 10
• PARKING 101 | 12
• NO CAR? NO PROBLEM | 13
• FIRST DAY JITTER | 14
• THE ESSENTIALS | 16
• TEXTBOOK 101 | 18
• LAPTOP 101 | 19
• OFF/ON CAMPUS LIVING | 20
• STRUGGLING IN CLASS? | 22
14*, 15 & 16
Dear incoming Cardinal,
Welcome to Ball State University! Ball State Daily and The McKinley Avenue Agency are happy to welcome you to our community and cannot wait to see all of the great things you will accomplish. This is the Cardinal Field Guide, your road map to all things Ball State. We understand that the transition from high school to college can be stressful. Making a packing list, living away from home, navigating campus, scheduling classes, buying textbooks, dodging food robots, not tripping down the Atrium stairs during a busy lunchtime—we know firsthand, it’s a lot. We made this guide to help make that transition a little easier, and to teach you all of the things you might need to know during your first year at Ball State. With this guide, you’ll make it from first day jitters to commencement— no sweat.
Nariyah Mendez
Director of Creative Services Director of Public Relations Senior Writer
Content Director
Moving out and being independent for the first time can be very overwhelming. We have all been there. You are going to be wondering what AJ (Arts and Journalism Building), LB (Letterman Building), and RB (Robert Bell Building) means. Why are they connected? What do those letters even mean? Food robots on campus… what? However, please don’t feel overwhelmed. Remember, everyone is in the same boat as you!
After settling in, things can get even more overwhelming. Once again, it will take time!
First things first. Pay attention and ask questions.
By Daniela Morales
Walking to class and all of a sudden you get lost? Just ask. People on campus are always willing to help. If you can’t find someone to ask or feel nervous Ball State has a campus map online where you can look for your class! However, if you want to avoid getting lost all together, I would recommend finding the buildings where your classes will be the day before classes start. This can help you refrain from getting lost and give you peace of mind the day before classes start.
Once you get to class, make sure you are listening. Read the syllabus, and you’ll find upcoming due dates, the grading system, necessary supplies and classroom policies like attendance and late work. Something important to keep in mind is that every professor is different. All of this can be found on Canvas, which is the main application used for classwork. Some useful apps that you will be using throughout your four years here can be found on page 16.
After settling in on the first week, buy your books! Perhaps my biggest tip is to not buy them right away. Some professors put them in the syllabus and then don’t end up using them. Before buying all of the newest book editions from the BSU Bookstore, which is located in the Arts and Journalism Building, see if you can find a cheaper second-hand or rented option. Some websites may even have them for free in a PDF version. So do your research! You can start off by reading our Textbook 101 story found on page 18.
And perhaps my second biggest tip: Get involved! College is the perfect time to get out of your comfort zone. You like Harry Potter? Join the quidditch club. You like journalism? Explore the Unified Media Lab. Enjoy jump rope? Join the jump rope club. Ball State has hundreds of clubs and student organizations, which can all be explored on the BSU Benny Link website, so regardless of your interests, there is something for everyone here!
Just make sure to join. These aren’t just your regular high school clubs. These can be career pathways that can help you land internships, and even jobs after graduation.
Last but not least, enjoy every moment. I know everyone tells you that it goes by fast, and trust me, it does. It can be super scary to grow in a new environment and get out of your comfort zone. However, when you do you won’t regret it.
Make mistakes and find yourself. After all, that is what college is all about!
Soon you’ll be packing your bags for your first year of college. Many freshmen arrive with massive boxes and suitcases only to discover they brought too much or forgot something important. With our help, you don’t have to be that person. Packing for college can be daunting. Here’s a list to get you started:
Clothes for the summer and fall. It will likely be warm the first few weeks and you won’t have room for a year’s worth of clothes.
Clothes hangers
Pairs of shoes, but not too many. We know you only wear the same two or three pairs. Plus, you will need shoes to keep you comfortable when walking to class.
Insurance cards, IDs, Social Security Card. You never know what could happen, and if you want to pick up a job on campus, it’s nice to have that SS Card handy. But keep it locked up!
Bed essentials—comforter/ bedspread, pillow(s), bed linens and a blanket. Dorm beds are twin XL!
Eating essentials—coffee mug, water bottle, dishes and silverware for snacks.
Bathroom essentials—robe, shower shoes, towels, washcloths, soap, shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, razors and a small shower caddy for carrying it all to the shower.
Laundry essentials—laundry basket/bag, laundry detergent and dryer sheets.
School essentials—binders, folders, paper, writing utensils, backpack, agenda planner and laptop, though there are computers in the library and residence halls that students can access.
TV/DVD player/streaming device. There’s usually a common area TV in residence halls if you don’t bring one, but having one in your room is always a bonus. In the basement of Bracken Library, you can check out all sorts of DVDs.
Mini-fridge/microwave. Check with your roommate about possibly sharing. Two microwaves and mini-fridges aren’t necessary and will take up vital room. Dorm kitchenettes typically have fridges and microwaves for common use.
Fan
Umbrella
Batteries
Cell phone charger(s)
Extra power strip
Desk or bed lamp
Full-length mirror
Poster putty or command strips to hang up posters and pictures. Tacks and nails are not allowed in the dorms.
Headphones/earbuds so your music doesn’t bother your roommate.
Portable speaker(s) so you and your roommate can jam out.
Crates or stacking containers—they will make storing things in your room much easier.
Paper towels and glass cleaner. Cleaning wipes are also a plus to have in the dorms.
Band-Aids and a first-aid kit.
Cold medicine/aspirin. You will get sick and still have classwork to do, so be prepared for it.
Hand sanitizers for personal use. Hand sanitizing stations are also available in residence halls and campus buildings.
Snacks. But don’t overdo it—that’s the whole point of having a meal plan. But be sure to bring your favorite snacks you just can’t find in the dining halls.
Air conditioners. Most dorms will charge you and require a doctor’s note to use them.
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Extension cords. Depending on how many electronics you have, you may not need them.
Candles and/or Incense
Pets. Unless it’s been approved by the Office of Disability Services as an Emotional Support Animal (ESA).
Printer. You already pay for on-campus printing. Use it.
Halogen light bulbs and/or lamps, LED or Smart lighting strips
Excessive dorm decor
An ironing board
Winter clothes. If you are going home in the fall at any point, they’re not needed and will take up too much space in your room. If you want to stay on the safe side, pack a winter coat.
Bulky luggage
Hotplates, skillets, toasters, toaster ovens, etc. They are allowed, but only in dorm kitchenettes.
A desk chair. Dorms come with chairs.
Any personal collections. If it takes up room, you should just leave it at home.
Anything expensive or too fancy. When you can find cheaper alternatives, it’s best to keep expensive items in a safe place.
More than two sets of bowls, plates and silverware. If you have more, you will just dirty them and ignore the cleanup.
A big jar of quarters for laundry. The machines have an app for you to pay digitally.
Anything your roommate already has. Check with them before moving in, as it will save a lot of hassle when moving and organizing.
Here at Ball State there is always something to do! Finding the events that speak to you is a great way to connect with the people, places and traditions to help you be successful in your first year and beyond. Here are some important dates to help you look forward to your first year at Ball State!
By Sarah Lawrence
As a freshman, you’ll be living in the dorms, which means you’ll most likely be parking at the stadium. Stadium parking can be confusing—and every year on the first week of school, tons of freshmen end up with the dreaded ticket from Ball State Parking Services. Fear not, this article is here to help you become an expert on stadium parking.
In order to park at the stadium, you will need to purchase a permit before the start of the semester. Permits can be purchased online through Ball State’s parking portal. Permits are registered to your license plate, so you don’t have to worry about getting a physical version. However, if you get a new car or license plate number, be sure to update this information in the parking portal. Your license plate is your permit, so make sure you don’t back into the parking spot or pull through. Your license plate needs to be visible from the outside.
This is the trickiest rule that trips people up the most. A lot of freshmen think that they can park anywhere in the stadium’s parking lot; however, you can only park in the sections reserved for stadium permits. Each section of the parking lot will have a sign that says which permits the section is for. For quick reference, yellow is faculty and staff, green is commuter, and purple is stadium.
You cannot park in the numbered spots near the entrance. This is for faculty and commuters only. If you drive back past that, there will be a large area which is meant for stadium parkers. Additionally, you can also park in the lot of the baseball field, which is located directly across the street from the stadium parking lot.
Scheumann Stadium is located 1 mile from campus, and is about a 20-minute walk away. Taking the bus is the easiest way to get to the stadium. The green and orange loops are the only ones that go to the stadium. The bus stop is located right between the two lots for stadium parkers, so you’ll be dropped right where you need to be.
During football season, there will be multiple times when you are required to move your car from the stadium to open up the parking lot for the game. You will either be required to move it to the Delaware County Fairgrounds, or to one of the lots on campus. When you’re required to move to the Fairgrounds, there will be a shuttle to take you between campus and the Fairgrounds.
Every time you have to move, you will receive an email detailing when you must move by, when you can return and where you’ll be moving to. Always keep an eye on your email so you know when you have to move.
In the case that you park in the wrong lot, you have one “Oops Voucher” which gets you out of paying the ticket. You can use it by downloading it from the Ball State website, filling it out, and sending it as a PDF to parking@bsu.edu. You can also take the form in person to the Parking Services office on the lower level of the Student Center, or send it by mail.
By The Ball State Daily
Traveling around Muncie can be challenging to figure lot of alternatives to driving that you can take advantage
BSU SHUTTLE
Download the TransLoc Rider app to track Ball State shuttles in real-time. This shuttle doesn’t leave campus and you’ll find that it’s a great way to get from the dorms to classes. More information on routes online.
Four MITS routes run through campus. The MITS Bus is free for students with a Ball State ID. However, the buses do not allow food and drinks, including cups with a lid. MITS routes and schedules are built into Google Maps. You can get on the bus at any intersection along the route if the intersection does not have a right-turn-only lane. The buses do not run on Sundays and has a limited schedule on Saturdays. You can track schedules in real-time with the MITS Bus app.
Don’t go walking around late at night by yourself, especially if it’s dark and you need a safe way to get home. Charlie’s Charter is a shuttle service that runs after dark to pick up and drop off students on university-owned property. It is useful during the hours after Ball State shuttles stop their routes. To get a shuttle ride, call 765-285-5005 and wait for a van driver. Charlie’s Charter runs from the hours of 6 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.
Bikes can be parked at any bike rack for free on campus. In addition, you may register a bike with the University Police Department (UPD), making it easier for police to locate the bike if it is stolen. To prevent theft, UPD recommends using quality-style locks, like a U-lock. Students can also rent a bike locker at various locations on campus. This includes the residence halls and Anthony Apartments. It only costs $50 for the academic year if the bike locker contract is submitted to the Housing and Residence Life office before the first day of classes.
When the weather is nice out and you aren’t in a rush, you can make it around the city with just your two feet! Minnetrista, a big park and shop, is just a 10-minute stroll down Neely. And downtown, with tons of shops and restaurants, is just 1.5 miles away from campus. Walking might not be the most convenient solution to getting off campus, but it is still possible to see parts of the city without a car.
only bus service running between Ball State University and the Chicagoland and Merrillville areas. Enjoy express, economical, safe and highly
By Sarah Lawrence
We’ve all been there. You’ve arrived to campus, hauled everything up to your dorm room, decorated, met your roommate, said goodbye to your family and settled into your new residence hall. Everything is going great! But then, you remember you actually have to start classes on Monday. Oh no!
The transition from high school to college classes can be extremely intimidating. You used to have all of your classes in one building, and now you have them scattered all around a sprawling college campus. You’re probably thinking: How will I find the right room, or even the right building? What do I need to bring? What if I get lost? Will I know anybody in my classes? It’s only natural that you feel nervous when adjusting to a brand-new environment. But don’t worry, thousands of Cardinals have gotten through their first day of classes, and you will too.
First, keep in mind that everyone else is just as nervous as you. As a freshman, you’ll most likely be in classes with a lot of other first-year students. You’re all learning together, so don’t feel like you’re being judged.
Before your first day:
• Go out and familiarize yourself with campus.
• Find the location of all of your classes on your schedule.
• Walk through campus and identify all of the buildings you’ll be spending time in.
• Go inside buildings and find your rooms.
• Log into Canvas, read notes from professors and read your syllabus.
The Ball State campus might seem scary when you’re unfamiliar with it, but once you get to know it, you’ll find that it’s pretty easy to navigate!
You also might be worried about how the first day will be socially. Going into classes with people you’ve never met can feel awkward at first, but see it as a new opportunity. This is a chance to start with a clean slate and get to know new people. Most likely, your professor will have you do icebreakers on the first day, which is where you go around the room and tell the class about yourself, what your major is, and sometimes a fun fact about yourself. You’ll probably have to do this same thing in most of your classes, so come up with an interesting fact about yourself in advance so you don’t feel stressed out on the spot. Maybe you’ve never tried mac n’ cheese or maybe you’ve seen every single Shrek movie five times. Whatever it is, try to find something that’s a good conversation starter.
Typically, the first day of class is pretty chill. Your professor will most likely go over the syllabus, what to expect for the semester, what textbooks are required and allow you to ask any questions you might have. This is a good time to settle in and familiarize yourself with the new environment. Make sure to bring your computer so you can access class materials and take notes if necessary.
All in all, the first day sounds a lot scarier than it actually is. However, once you get past it, you’ll realize that it’s a lot simpler than you imagined.
Good luck on your first semester; we know you’ll do great!
By Sarah Lawrence
There a lot of apps you’ll hear about and end up using during your time at Ball State. Here is a list of the most important applications and websites you’ll need. All of the apps below can be found in the app store.
MY Ball State
Provides personalized resources, tools, information, communication and widgets. Having this app ensures that you stay engaged, informed and prepared to make the most out of your time at Ball State.
Canvas
See grades and access course materials.
Cardinal Central
Update your class schedule, request transcripts, manage your eBill, access financial aid information and access services for commuter students and 21st Century Scholars.
DuoMobile
Used to log into your Ball State account. You will have to download Duo to your mobile phone or tablet to set up twofactor authentication and access your account. Every time you log into your My BSU account, a notification will pop up on your phone, and you’ll be prompted to enter the number on your screen.
GET Mobile
Check your meal plan and Cardinal Cash, Dining Plus and Dining Cash balances.
GroupMe
Communicate with your resident assistant and other dorm residents. Your dorm floor will most likely have a group chat using the messaging app GroupMe. This app is also used by many clubs and student organizations.
Follow MITS Bus locations and ETAs for bus stops around Muncie. Remember, MITS busses are free for students with a Ball State ID.
Navigate Student
Schedule academic advising appointments, see class schedules and connect with fellow students in your classes.
Outlook
Access your student email and personal calendar. This is Ball State’s primary form of communication.
SpeedQueen
Allows students to pay for laundry machines and monitor cycle times. The cost per wash is $1.75 and $1.50 for a onehour dry cycle.
TransLoc
Tracks Ball State shuttle busses, displays wait times and tells you the closest bus stop to you.
WEBSITES
There are also many useful websites that will be helpful to you as a Ball State student.
Benny Link
Search all of the student organizations at Ball State. Benny Link is a database for groups you can get involved in, including sports, academic, and special interest clubs. You can also find a calendar of all the events that are being put on by student organizations.
Find on campus and off campus jobs, set up a mock interview, find professional events and learn more about potential careers. This website gives you the opportunity to search for on-campus jobs and potential internships.
See your degree plan, track your progress, and test different academic paths. You can access DegreeWorks by going to your Self-Service banner on my.bsu.edu. Here, you can see all of the classes you’ll need to complete your degree, a semester-by-semester schedule of your classes, as well as what you’ve finished and what you still need. You can also plug in a different major or minor and see what the degree plan would look like if you pursued it.
By Oakley Myers
It’s not new information that college can be expensive. Part of what makes college expensive is the textbooks. Textbooks can range from $10 to over $100! But no matter how expensive your textbooks are, there are ways to save money.
When it comes to textbooks, one of the most important things to do is to wait to buy textbooks until after the first week of classes. Professors may have a PDF for you or say that you don’t need the textbook. Just because it’s in the syllabus doesn’t always mean you’ll need it.
Professors may also allow older editions; old editions of textbooks are often cheaper.
If you don’t know what textbooks you need you can find out by checking the Ball State University Official Bookstore website. Through this website, you can input your class information and it will form a list of the books you need. The bookstore also offers price matching. For example, if Amazon offers the text book for cheaper than the bookstore, you can show a bookstore employee and you will pay the price from Amazon.
If you do need to buy textbooks, the most common way to save money on textbooks is by renting them. The Ball State Bookstore located in the Arts and Journalism Building offers renting for both physical and digital, but some publishers offer digital renting for less than the bookstore.
Buying used books can also be the way to go. Websites like Chegg, Half Price Books, ThriftBooks and CampusBooks are great websites for buying used books. If you would like a PDF of your textbooks, you can also look up your books on websites like Z-library and Academia. com. These websites offer free PDFs of textbooks; however, this is not always reliable.
When looking at textbooks it can be helpful to save money by doing research and looking for the best deal.
Good luck!
By Daniela Morales
*Disclaimer: your major may require a specific laptop!
The cost of tuition, books, housing and other college expenses can be very overwhelming. On top of it all, purchasing a laptop will be necessary in order to keep up with lectures, Canvas assignments and other college-related things.
As an incoming freshman, you might be wondering what laptop might be the best for you—and the expense of it all. This article will break it all down for you, from the different types of laptops to their durability and cost.
The laptop world is a big one with many options, and it can be very confusing to figure out what laptop brand is the best; however, this can be different for everyone. This article will only be focusing on four main laptop brands: Dell, Lenovo, HP and Apple products.
Dell has a ton of different versions for laptops, which is why they specifically recommend XPS and Inspiron laptops for college students.
When it comes to XPS laptops, the Dell XPS 13 laptop is great for those busy long days of studying. Aside from having up to 12 hours of battery life and plenty of storage, it is also pretty thin, which makes it easily transportable.
The running price for this laptop is roughly $800. However, Dell does offer a 5% student discount with a verified email.
Dell Inspiron laptops offer 2-in-1 touchscreen options that can easily transform between a laptop, tablet, or stand modes. Overall, these types of laptops are pretty lightweight with plenty of memory and storage. The prices for this version of Dell laptops vary but they can range from anywhere between $599-$999.
Like Dell, Lenovo offers a ton of different versions for your needs; however, the two versions I will be focusing on are their Yoga and ThinkPad series. I would recommend browsing their other versions, as all of them have different features that might suit your needs better.
Starting with their Yoga series, this laptop offers a 2-in-1 design that allows for it to become a tablet with a pen that supports both notetaking and drawing. The series also allows for more security features like fingerprint readers. This laptop can range anywhere in price between $550-$1,350.
The ThinkPad series is great for students who are worried about durability. This laptop, which is mainly used by business professionals, is made to last long. With long-lasting battery and fast performance, this could be a laptop to look into. These versions can range anywhere between $599-$1,300.
Lenovo does offer some back-to-school sales where you can purchase their products both in-store and online.
There are two MacBooks that would be worth looking into, especially if you like having an ecosystem of Apple products.
The first one is the MacBook Air 13” with an M2 Chip. The M2 chip is naturally faster than the M1 chip and supports Wi-Fi 6. MacBooks are also something to consider for Adobe products like InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, as they tend to work a lot smoother on Macs.
If you are looking for something more affordable, I would recommend the MacBook 13” with the M1 chip. While this is an older version, it delivers almost the same number of features with a smaller price.
HP is another top tech brand that offers student discounts for college students. Also known as the HP Education Store Program, you can get up to 40% discounts on their latest technology.
HP recommends two versions of their laptops, the HP ENVY and the HP Pavilion.
HP ENVY versions are great for video calling because of their upgraded webcam as well as long-lasting battery for those extended study sessions. Apart from being a touchscreen laptop, it is also a 2-in-1. But perhaps their most interesting feature is their presence sensor. This allows you to darken your laptop by walking away but turning it back on when you come back to your laptop. These versions cost about $1,200.
If you are looking for something a little less pricy, the HP Pavilion would be the way to go. Do keep in mind that for editing pictures it might not be the best, but for everyday use such as homework assignments and researching, it could be a great laptop to start off with. The price for this version varies from anywhere between $429-$800.
Getting a new electronic device doesn’t come without a fair share of technological struggles. The Tech Center, located in room 101 of Bracken Library, is the central spot for all of your tech-related issues. The Tech Center can help you with a variety of problems, from resetting your Ball State password to hardware repair. The Tech Center is open Monday through Friday. Simply walk in and stop at the concierge desk, which can help you with basic technical support, or refer you to the support service or expert that best suits your needs.
In addition to the physical location, there is also the online Technology Help Desk, which offers support over chat and phone (765-285-1517). The Help Desk is open Monday through Friday; however, for issues such as resetting your Duo Mobile or Ball State password, there is 24/7 assistance available.
Right next door to the Tech Center, in room 103 of Bracken, is the Technology Store. Here, you can shop a variety of items, such as laptops (Apple, Lenovo, Dell), iPads, Fitbits, cables, adapters and more. The best part about this store is that many products come with a reduced, educational price! If you find a great laptop off this list, head over to the Technology Store to see if they have any.
You haven’t even moved in yet, but it’s time to think about housing!
By Sam Allen; Sarah Lawrence; Daniela Morales
DORM AMENITIES
Ball State is home to 11 residence halls, but not all of them have the same amenities. Here is a quick rundown of some things you might be looking for in a dorm, and which dorms have them!
In addition to these major features, all of the dorms have a laundry room, a fitness center, and lounges. Many dorms also include amenities such as kitchenettes, game rooms, media rooms, and music rooms.
Living-Learning Communities, or LLCs, are popular for freshmen to get to know people, usually in their major, by living in a dorm with people that share similar interests. Different Living-Learning Communities are assigned to different dorms, though you do not have to be in a Living-Learning Community to be in a certain dorm in most cases. More information can be found on Ball State’s website on which dorm corresponds to which LLC.
DORM RULES AND RESOURCES
As expected, there are a decent number of rules and policies for students living in on-campus residence halls. We won’t cover them all here, but an exhaustive list of dorm policies is available on Ball State’s website. Here are some important things to know:
• Quiet hours in the dorms are from 11:00 p.m. to 9 a.m. from Sunday to Thursday, and 1 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. During finals week, quiet hours are 24/7…well, 24/5…but you get it. On any day, at any time of day, playing loud music, TV, instruments, or practicing your tap dance solo is prohibited. There are practice rooms in Sursa Hall and the Hargreaves Building for a reason.
support animals are allowed, if they are certified and shown to be necessary for student with a documented disability to have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy campus housing. More information can be found on Ball State’s website.
• Students are required to leave the residence halls during Thanksgiving, winter and spring breaks—unless you have worked out a housing arrangement with the Office of Housing and Residence Life. These arrangements are based on availability and students are subject to additional charges.
• You may have guests in your dorm with approval from your roommate. Only one guest per resident, and they can stay for four nights max.
• No animals are permitted in the residence halls—expect for fish in a small fishbowl or tank. Aquariums larger than 20 gallons are a no-go. Although, service animals and emotional
Resident Assistants (RAs) and Academic Peer Mentors (APMs) live within the dorms as resources for students. Whether you’re having roommate trouble or just want to chat, RAs are there to help. Everyone within a dorm is assigned an RA for their hall, and they will schedule meetings with the hall to touch base and address any issues if they arise. RAs also schedule fun events for the people in their hall to do and get to know each other! APMs are similar, but they schedule events for the whole dorm to join in on instead of just the hall. APMs are also a good study resource for students if they want someone to help them understand something within
Speaking of roommate trouble, having a roommate isn’t all sunshine and roses. To avoid possible trouble between you and your roommate, try the following:
• Ask them questions about themselves before you move in together to see if you are a good fit for each other! You could ask: What are your interests/hobbies? What major are you? Are you an early riser and/or a night owl? What items do you plan on bringing (rugs, appliances, futons, etc.)? Do you want to share items? What are your cleaning habits (really clean,
mix of messy and clean, really messy)? How do you feel about guests in the room (of the same and opposite gender, overnight guests, etc.)? What day are you moving in? If one person is moving in earlier than the other, what should they do in setting up the room space (wait to arrange the room when both are there, separate it in half, arrange the room how you both would like, etc.)?
• Use the roommate agreement! Take the time to go through the roommate agreement with your roommate when you move in and set up how you’d like the year with your roommate to look from cleanliness and duties in the room to how often you’ll be in the room in the first place.
• Know your on-campus student rights. These can be found on the Ball State website. In short, you have the right to live in your own space and not be bothered.
• Be friendly! This seems like a no-brainer, but if you take those small steps to kindle a friendship, it goes a long way, and it is a lot easier to live with a friend than it is to live with a stranger. Go out to eat with them, or plan another fun activity to do together from the events on campus. Even going to the rec center and working out together works! Just keep putting in effort and you will be rewarded.
While there are many benefits to having a roommate that you get along with, sometimes a roommate just isn’t the right fit and
steps need to be taken. Here’s what to do if that does happen to you:
If you are having trouble with your roommate, first try to talk it out with them if possible. Summon whatever diplomacy and reason you have left in you and ask if there is a time where you two can talk it out. If you are not able to come to a compromise on your own, get your RA involved.
RAs can do a variety of things to help you out, from having one-on-one talks with both you and your roommate, sitting in on your talk with your roommate if you are nervous, and if worse comes to worst, contacting the Resident Learning Coordinator (RLC) on your behalf.
Students can contact the RLCs too via email, if need be. Roommate changes are dependent on available space and are at the discretion of the building’s RLC. Before approving a change, RLCs will work with students to help them understand the situation and make an effort to work out the problem.
After your freshman year, you have the option to either stay on-campus or find other housing accommodations off-campus. Options can include an apartment or a house; it all depends on what your wants and needs are.
Tip: You may think it’s too early to start exploring off-campus living options, but students start signing leases in the Fall semester. If you are thinking of living off-campus at all, you will want to start researching now!
For apartments, Muncie has many complexes that are available for leasing throughout the school year and summer as well. Some of them already come furnished and with your own bathroom. Many apartments also come with amenities such as a gym, pool, study lounge, basketball court and more. If you’re looking for a more community-oriented living situation, this might be the choice for you.
Houses can be found with different leasing companies, and are located all around the surrounding neighborhoods off-campus. Some of them can house up to 6 people, and are a close walk to campus. Typically, houses do not come furnished and carry some extra responsibilities. However, if you’re looking for a more spacious living area, this might be the option for you.
Signing and reading a lease might sound like a lot, but Ball State provides tons of resources to help students in the process. Ball State Off Campus Quality Initiative Program is a program which connects landlords and property management companies with students. These properties are meet certain criteria related to the maintenance and upkeep of their properties. These properties would be a great first step in looking at trusted housing properties. Ball State also offers guidelines on reading a lease, moving in, requesting repairs and avoiding scams.
Looking for off-campus housing can also be very stressful; however, the Ball State Daily offers many events and guides to find the best option for you.
The Ball State Daily Housing Guide (ballstatedailyhousing. com) is an online search tool where you can search for apartments and houses all around Muncie, and filter results by your specific needs.
Whether you’re looking for a certain number of rooms, price, amenities, or distance to Ball State, this tool makes it easier than ever to find off-campus housing. For both fall and spring semester, there is the Ball State Daily Housing Fair. Here, you have the chance to speak with leasing representatives from properties around Muncie, and learn all about the different housing opportunities available to you.
By Sam Allen
College ain’t easy. Between declaring majors and minors, managing your course load, juggling a parttime job and trying to write this five-page paper on time, things can start to pile up and get overwhelming. Ball State has plenty of resources for students struggling with their courses. There are a lot of Centers to keep track of around here, so we made a guide to all of your on-campus academic resources.
What do you want to do with your life? We know that’s not an easy question, and you shouldn’t have to know the answer yet. Every student at Ball State is given an academic advisor to help with declaring majors and minors, scheduling classes, planning out the rest of your years at Ball State and offering advice to prepare for the future. You can find your academic advisor on Navigate, a link on my.bsu.edu. Here, you can email your advisor with questions, or set up an appointment to discuss your educational goals.
You shouldn’t have to struggle alone in tougher courses. The Learning Center in North Quad 350 offers free and course-specific tutoring. For specific courses, there is drop-in tutoring available, but you can make an appointment through Navigate for a specific need/course. The Learning Center also offers test proctoring and supplemental instruction. Check the Ball State website for all tutoring options and drop-in tutoring hours
Writing is a skill that takes hard work and practice to get just right. Or, just right enough for your English professor. The Writing Center offers free feedback and planning sessions to develop your writing skills in any genre or any academic discipline. The Writing Center team is prepared to help everyone, from students in first-year writing courses, to graduate students writing up their dissertations. Appointments are required, and you can make one on the Ball State website.
Completing homework, studying for tests and communicating with classmates and professors doesn’t work too well if your phone or computer is acting up. Don’t fret if your computer won’t start up, take it to the Tech Center! The Tech Center on the first floor of Bracken Library is your best resource for any technology issues you may be experiencing. The Technology Help Desk is available for questions over the phone and for walk-ins, and you can also make an appointment with TechTime for any issues with personal computers.
Byte is a student-run, multimedia coalition operating out of Ball State University’s Unified Media Lab dedicated to providing the best in entertainment and pop culture related content. Though mostly oriented toward Media and Journalism majors, Byte draws in students studying all sorts of disciplines ranging from Creative Writing to Computer Science and everything in between. Student staff work closely with the student-run editorial board to help refine their skills and improve the quality of content produced for the organization.
The Daily News is a weekly, student-directed and nationally award winning newspaper. Its 100+ year history makes it the longest-standing student media organization on campus and one of the nation’s top college newspapers. Providing the campus community with breaking news and accurate, timely information both in print and online, students can get involved from day one by working on staff or just simply staying informed.
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By Sam Allen
While you’re not alone in planning your class schedule, it’s important to know all of the steps to it. We’re here to walk you through any struggle you might have when picking what classes to take, and when to take them.
The first part of the class scheduling process is meeting with your advisor and determining what classes to take each semester to fulfill the University Core Curriculum and your major or minor’s requirements. After you meet with your advisor, you will register for classes in the Self-Service Banner on my.bsu.edu.
You should receive an email with your time ticket, which is the earliest day and time that you can begin to register for classes. Make sure to schedule your advising appointment before your time ticket opens. The more credits you earn, the earlier your time ticket will be. As first-year students, it’s important to register for classes as soon as your time ticket opens! If you’re on top of it, you shouldn’t have any trouble getting the classes you need in your schedule. Wait too long, and the classes will run out of space. And don’t count on replacing the full in-person classes with online ones, because those will run out of spaces too.
DegreeWorks is in the Self-Service Banner on my.bsu.edu, and that’s where you can find all of the courses you still need to fulfill to complete your degree. You can also simulate replacing your current major and minor with other combinations if you’re interested in other degree tracks—it will auto-fill with those major requirements. This is a great place to surf around for class options!
After the first week of classes, you might find that a certain class won’t work for you. Maybe you have one too many classes on one day, or the professor’s teaching style isn’t your vibe. During the Change-of-Course period, sometimes called the Add/Drop period, which ends on the seventh day (Sunday) of each semester, students can add or withdraw from a course without approval from an academic advisor. You may still withdraw from courses after this period, but you should always consider how it may impact your scholarships, financial aid or degree progress. You can add/drop a course in the same place where you schedule them, the Self-Service Banner on my.bsu.edu. This website is your new best friend.
FYI:
• Full-time students are required to take 12-18 credit hours per semester. Advisors recommend students average 15 credit hours per semester to ensure an ontime graduation.
All majors have different class requirements, some are more flexible, and some have classes that all students are expected to take. Since it’s your first year, you have a lot of options. When choosing Core Curriculum classes or filling up an elective credit, you can choose something you’re already interested in OR try and learn something new. So many concepts learned in one course can be helpful in others, or they may inspire you to take on a new academic challenge.
• To change your major and/or declare a minor, make an appointment with your advisor.
• Don’t worry too much about changing your major. If you spend the first two years mixing major classes with Core Curriculum classes, you’ll have plenty of time to fulfill new major requirements.
• When in doubt, ask your advisor! It’s their job to help you, so don’t be afraid to ask.
By Daniela Morales
What is the most important thing you could do as an incoming freshman? Besides prioritizing your academics, it’s getting involved with on-campus organizations.
Now, I know this can be intimidating, but don’t fret, everyone is trying to find their niche or organization to join. Nonetheless, Ball State has some great resources for you to get out there to explore new hobbies, meet new friends, and even gain professional experience and find resume builders.
The first week you move in is crucial to finding out where organizations meet, when they meet, and what they are about, as well as simply finding out what you might be interested in.
During Ball State’s “Weeks of Welcome,” you will have opportunities to explore potential activities on campus. During the activity fair, usually on the Friday before classes start, organizations set up tables to give students information about their club, meeting times, and upcoming events. You can give organizations you’re interested in your email to contact you with more information. It’s also a good place to grab some free swag!
Ball State has over 400 student organizations you can join, but here are a few big ones to pique your interest. To search for more, check out the Benny Link website, where you can scroll the listing of all organizations in alphabetical order. Most clubs also have social media accounts on Instagram or Facebook, so students can surf around and see what fun stuff that clubs are up to this year.
The big four refers to the four largest organizations on Ball State’s campus: Asian Student Union (ASU), Black Student Association (BSA), Latinx Student Union (LSU), and Spectrum, the campus LGBTQ+ organization. These orgs host popular events like the Unity Pageant, Latinxpalooza, drag shows, sex-ed bingo and more! These organizations pride themselves on being diverse groups that emphasize inclusivity on Ball State’s campus—no matter who you are, you have a place here!
Ball State has several intramural sports teams you can register for on the Ball State website, including basketball, flag football, soccer, handball, and volleyball. We also have other athletic clubs outside of intramurals—like the Running, Fencing, Badminton, Gymnastics, Pickle Ball, Rock Climbing, and Tennis Clubs.
Fraternities and Sororities are a pretty big part of Ball State’s extracurricular experience. Formal recruitment for the fraternities governed by the Interfraternity Council (IFC) and the sororities by the Panhellenic Association (PHA) are held during the beginning of the fall semester. Once recruitment ends, bids or invitations are sent and new members go through orientation and initiation. After the first week of classes, some fraternities and sororities host informal recruitment throughout the semester—so do some research to find what chapters offer information recruitment.
Greek life is a great way to make friendships and grow your personal development both on campus and off. Each fraternity and sorority has a community service and philanthropic element, like raising money for charity partners, which vary from chapter to chapter. By joining Greek life, you are committing to a group that has the same academic and professional goals and values as you do. For more information on recruitment and different chapters, visit the Ball State website page “Fraternity and Sorority Life.”
Ball State’s student government represents the student body’s voice to the University’s administration. From funding small events to hosting speakers and other student organizations—the SGA helps the student body in big and small ways. The SGA appoints students to University Senate Committees to help with decision-making, from public safety, event planning, student rights, to teaching evaluations and standards.
If you’re not interested in athletics, no worries. More of an artist? You can try the Art or Ceramics Clubs, or Cubed Creatives for designers. Or the Student Dance Association or University Signers for the performers. Want to further your academic path? Some clubs are major-focused, and you can set the Benny Link filter to “Academic/ Professional” to find clubs that align with your academic interests. Don’t be scared to try something outside of your major either, because it never hurts to learn something new.
What makes joining an organization so important to your college career?
Well, first, it’s a good way to get acclimated to campus life. You will be able to meet people with similar interests. During college, you may meet friends that last for years after graduation.
Second, getting involved is a great way to build a resume. Most, if not all organizations are major-specific and need executive officers to help run it. If future employers see that you were president, vice president, or even treasurer of an organization, they will know that you have some professional experience—no matter how small. All of these leadership positions help land internships or that job that you want.
Third, it’s a chance to explore a new hobby. Perhaps you have always been interested in rugby, or running, or disc golf, but never had the chance to try it. Or you have a secret talent for poetry, painting or pottery. College is the perfect time to fulfill these passions and spend more time on campus doing what you enjoy.
Finally, don’t be scared! Everyone is trying to figure college out just like you, so don’t forget that you’re not alone.
By Zoe Brock
Finding a place to eat on campus is a simple task. Not only are dining halls and cafés located all around campus, but they also offer a wide variety, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options. For all nutrition facts and allergen information, go to NetNutrition via the Ball State website.
In the Student Center is Ball State’s second Starbucks location and only on-campus Taco Bell—which also serves their famous breakfast. The salad bar is a popular choice to add variety, color, and hearty toppings to your greens. Add a bowl of soup, yogurt parfait, fruit cup, or make your own snack mix. The Student Center Tally also has a stir fry station, Grill—which serves meat or meatless burgers and sandwiches or chicken tenders—and Homestyle, which offers your favorite home-y comfort foods.
Woodworth offers students a wide variety of food options all day long, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Grab a sweeter breakfast and coffee from Patisseries, stop by Della Casa for a brick oven pizza or Italian classic, or hit up Woody’s Grill for a hamburger or chicken sandwich. Deli World offers custom salads and sandwiches for a lighter lunch or dinner, Comfort Zone has the comfort food down with mac and cheese, turkey, or chicken and noodles, and Sushi with Gusto offers a variety of sushi options or a custom poke bowl—and ramen too!
The Atrium houses Papa John’s, Boar’s Head Deli, Vivimos Fresh Mexican Grill, McKinley Grille, and the Revolving Kitchen. Papa John’s serve classics from their menu. Boar’s Head Deli is a create-your-own sandwich, wrap, flatbread, or salad station. Vivimos serves all the classic Mexican-style options in taco, salad, burrito bowl, or nacho form. The McKinley Grille serves the classics for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Pancakes, bacon, biscuits and gravy for breakfast, and all types of burgers, fish and chips, tenderloins, and baked potatoes for lunch and dinner. The Revolving Kitchen changes their menu weekly, offering new foods to students.
Bookmark Café
Before a study session, grab a coffee of all kinds and flavors, donuts, bagels, or fruits and lunch items later in the day. If you want to save a few bucks between classes, grab a latte here instead of Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts.
Multicultural Center Ice Cream Shop
Caution: Long lines ahead at North Dining, which might be worth it if you can’t go without your Chick-Fil-A and Starbucks! North Dining also has all-day breakfast; quick-serve pasta and pizza and a createyour-own pasta station; BBQ spot for rotisserie, pulled pork and chicken; an in-house bakery for doughnuts and other baked goods; and the Top-9 Allergen free area with custom bowls, sandwiches, stir fry, pizza, salads made to specifications. Like most dining locations, North includes several grab-and-go stations with pre-made wraps and salads, sushi, granola bars and other snacks. If you’re in a rush, grab a quick snack and skip the long lines.
Just east of Bracken is the Multicultural Ice Cream Shop! They serve 16 flavors of ice cream, shakes, sundaes, or ice cream sandwiches. They also have dairy-free options and sorbet.
By Jacksen Cole
If you live on campus, then it’s likely that you have a meal plan. You probably already have a good idea of how a meal plan works, but you’re bound to make some rookie mistakes when using it. Like making the mistake of trying to buy a full lunch on a breakfast meal swipe at 10:59 a.m. Here are some ways to effectively use your meal plan at any on-campus location:
Ball State Dining may not follow the same times you prefer to eat breakfast or lunch. At all dining halls, you may use one $5.55 swipe from 7 a.m.-11 a.m. From 11:01 a.m. – midnight, you have two $9.25 swipes to use. If you walk up to a cashier at 11:01 hoping to use a breakfast swipe, you can’t. Knowing these times will help you not waste a meal swipe. If you are paying for a 3-meals-a-day meal plan but miss your breakfast swipe, you lose it for the whole day.
The strategy of how to use your swipes depends on what plan you have. The simplest is the 21 meals per week, which breaks down to 3 meals a day. With the 18 meals per week, you can get breakfast 4 times a week—so pick and choose when you want to get breakfast. The 14 meals per week is typically for students who only eat lunch and dinner. Lastly, if you plan on only eating on campus (with no breakfast) during the week, the 10 meals per week is perfect.
Your meal swipes will reset on Sunday. Any swipe left unused Saturday night is gone…forever. Try and use all your swipes so you don’t lose money by not using them. If you have a leftover swipe, consider using your swipe to buy drinks or snacks that you can keep in your room. Not every swipe needs to be a hot meal!
DINING PLUS VS DINING CASH VS CARDINAL CASH
These three have similar names but serve the same purpose of allowing you to use money at dining halls.
DINING PLUS: Comes with your on-campus meal plan & can be used at any time regardless of what time it is. Dining Plus from the fall semester rolls over to the spring semester, but goes away at the end of the spring semester, so make sure you use it all!
Tip: It can be tempting to sometimes use Dining Plus to cover a whole meal, but the best way to use dining plus is when your meal is a little over the swipe limit. If your lunch is 20¢ over, Dining Plus is what you can use. All those little transactions will pile up!
DINING CASH: If you do run out of Dining Plus, you can purchase Dining Cash. Dining Cash is the same as Dining Plus except it will not expire at the end of the academic year. If you currently have a meal plan, you receive a 10% discount on a Dining Cash purchase (if that purchase is in even hundred-dollar increments).
CARDINAL CASH: You probably won’t need Cardinal Cash much your freshmen year, but it is another option for buying food on Campus. Unlike Dining Plus and Dining Cash, Cardinal Cash is accepted at a variety of locations including:
• Dining halls
• Sporting events at Scheumann Stadium and Worthen Arena
• Vending machines
• Certain restaurants in The Village
• HotBox Pizza
• Jimmy John’s
• Insomnia Cookies
• Roots
• and more!
By Meghan Kelley
There is no shortage of ways to spend your weekend in Muncie, and most are within walking distance of campus! Of course, school comes first, but between the Village and Minnetrista, there is something for everyone to enjoy when taking a break from the stress of school.
Minnetrista is great for anyone’s nature-loving needs. Between the seasonal farmer’s markets and the butterfly garden, there is so much fun to be had, no matter the season. The nature trails and boulevard zones are perfect places to get lost in the calming, quaint charm of what Minnetrista has to offer.
The Cardinal Greenway is an east-central Indiana railsto-trails system that spans 62 miles! If you’re an avid biker, runner, or walker, you can use sections of these trails to get some miles in. You can park at the trailhead on McGalliard Road behind Olive Garden, on Shafer Road off of Riggin Road, or farther north on 400 West off of Wheeling Ave.
The Village is one of the most popular places near campus to visit. There is no shortage of shops to visit and restaurants to try. Some highlights include The Cup, Roots Burger Bar, Jack’s Donuts, Well Made Vintage, The Midnight Café, and Be Here Now. Be Here Now is an 18+ music venue and Muncie’s home for live music, open mics, comedy, and trivia 3-4 nights a week, and for those over 21, Be Here Now serves local and regional microbrew.
Christy Woods is another great nature-based option in Muncie. With 17 acres of prairie, wetlands and deciduous forests, this interactive outdoor classroom is perfect for
observing wildlife or escaping the feel of the city. Christy Woods is located past the Cooper Science Building off of Riverside Ave.
Right on campus is Ball State’s very own planetarium. See the stars from the comfort of your own campus with the Charles W. Brown Planetarium. The planetarium is the largest in Indiana and a great way to unwind after a stressful week. The planetarium has free shows featuring high-definition images of the solar system. These free shows are a wonderful way to explore space without stepping off campus.
No matter where you pick, Muncie has something for everyone. No matter if you are a freshman or a senior, don’t let college pass you by, and don’t miss out on these awesome opportunities.
2. Start Your House Search Early
Don’t procrastinate! The nicest houses in the best locations rent quickly. Lease signing for the 2025-26 school year will begin S e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 4
3. Location, Location, Location
Living close to campus is a big deal. You’ll save time, and you’ll appreciate the short walk to class. Plus, you’ll feel like you’re still part of the BSU student community.
4.
Find responsible roommates who are as serious about living off-campus as you are. Having your group organized & committed will allow you to be ready when you find that perfect off-campus house.
Details matter here! Has the house been recently remodeled or built new in recent years? How’s the kitchen look? What about the bathrooms?
Replacement windows? Updated heating/cooling system? Look closely & ask questions. Don’t be shy!
7. Be Decisive
At this point, your group is ready to go. When you find that perfect house –renovated, great location, individual leases & reputable landlord… Rent it!
6. Sign Individual Leases
Be responsible for your rent only –NOT your roommates! Understand the lease you are signing. Ask the landlord –What happens if a roommate backs out?
5. Rent from a Reputable Landlord
It’s important to find a good one - ask around. Do you want to rent from a private owner, or hassle with a management company? Your choice of landlord will significantly affect the quality of your off-campus living experience.
By Sam Allen
On and off-campus jobs aren’t the only ways to make some spare cash while in college. There are plenty of options for those who want more money, but not a full-time job.
STREAM VIDEO GAMES ONLINE
No, I’m actually serious about this. People love watching other people play video games. Ever heard of Felix Kjellberg? You probably have, except for you probably know him as ‘PewDiePie’ on YouTube. If you’re a true gamer with skills and personality, you may come to find that a fan base of people will donate money to you for the entertainment. Get big enough and you may even receive a sponsorship from a company. Now, you’re not going to become some new PewDiePie overnight, and this isn’t a full-time job. But if you game, you might as well try to make money from it. If you don’t have the proper equipment, check out the new BSU e-sports facility.
SELL ON THE DAILY CLASSIFIEDS
Why let your old junk collect dust when you could be using it to collect cash? By using the Daily Classifieds, you can reach Ball State students and Muncie community members alike who are interested in purchasing your items. People sell loads of things on here whether it’s video games, books or even pets. You can sell it on The Daily Classifieds. To access this: go to the ballstatedaily.com, go to the Navigation Bar and click ‘The Daily Classifieds,’ make a free account using your personal or Ball State email address.
Every now and then you might find people in the Arts and Journalism building selling homemade pottery and crafts. This is because getting crafty can be fun and profitable. Go to Pinterest and find something that interests you. Chances are, you can get the craft supplies for cheap and make a profit off whatever you make. Etsy and local craft fairs are great places to sell your work, but don’t be afraid to post a picture on Facebook or Instagram and see if friends and family want to buy as well.
Do you enjoy cruising around town and listening to music? Doordash might just be the next way to make money! Signing up is easy, all you have to do is go to the Doordash website and select where you are, email address, ID verification, and Social Security number. Afterwards you are given a Dasher Activation kit and from there on you have the ability to make your own schedule, choose what orders you want to accept,
and start earning some extra cash!
FREELANCE SOMETHING YOU’RE GOOD AT
The fact is, now that you’re in college, you’re receiving knowledge and experience related to your field of study that regular Joes don’t normally have. It’s this knowledge and experience that people will pay money for. Are you good at fixing computers? Event Planning? Taking pictures? Writing? Creating designs in Adobe? If you’re good at something, then guess what—your services might be worth money! Put the word out and you may be surprised to find some interested potential clients.
DONATE TO BIOLIFE
Donating your plasma to BioLife could save someone’s life, and you get paid for your donation. BioLife donors spend a little more than an hour about twice a week donating plasma. Frequent plasma donations to BioLife can earn donors a couple hundred dollars every month—a great way to make some money. Muncie’s BioLife facility is located off McGalliard Road behind Best Buy.
HOUSE, PET OR BABYSIT
These jobs usually aren’t too difficult, aside from the major responsibility. Chances are they aren’t going to be full-time, so you’ll still be able to have free time in your schedule. But wouldn’t it be nice to get paid to hang out with a dog or to look after someone’s kids? According to care.com, the average rate for babysitters is $16.25 an hour. Might as well give it a try, right?
Sign up for Sittercity or Rover for opportunities to watch and care for animals in the Muncie area.
SHOW OFF ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media provides people like you and me a platform to show off our talent and passions. Do you like makeup and fashion? Make a channel on TikTok or YouTube and become a ‘beauty guru’ and post your fashion designs. Cooking? Show Gordon Ramsey how a REAL chef makes a good bowl of ramen noodles. Enjoy gaming? Well…we’ll get to that in a minute. You have the opportunity to turn your skills into fun and/or informative entertainment that will be seen by hundreds, even thousands of people. More importantly, you might make money from this through sponsorships.
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By Alexa Ramsey
College is a time when saving a little money can go a long way. The good news is that there are many discounts for students in Muncie! From restaurants to public transportation, there are a lot of opportunities to enjoy some time off-campus for cheap. Whether you’re looking to get a bite to eat, get some new clothes, or see a show, there’s something for every Ball State student. Enjoy these perks of being a Cardinal!
By Hand and Fork – 10% off purchase
Located about a half-mile from Ball State is a restaurant offering homestyle cooking. By Hand and Fork is a popular breakfast spot for students and their families.
Berrywinkle – 10% off purchase
Located near the edge of campus, Berrywinkle is a frozen yogurt shop and a favorite of Ball State students. If you’re in the mood for dessert, bring along your student ID for a 10% discount.
Mama & Son Soul Food Kitchen – 10% off purchase
This restaurant in downtown Muncie is family-owned and operated, specializing in soul and comfort food. Mama & Son Soul Food Kitchen offers a 10% discount to Ball State students.
Sunshine Café – 10% off purchase
Located near Ball State is a café which serves breakfast and other homestyle foods. Sunshine Café has a discount for all Ball State students with their student ID.
Lowery’s Candies – Free Candy Bar
A bit of a drive south of campus is Lowery’s Homemade Candy. They offer candy made the old-fashioned homemade way, and offer a free candy bar with a student ID.
Welcome Week Discounts
In addition to these year-round discounts, there are some great Welcome Week deals! During the first week of the fall semester, many restaurants will have special discounts for Ball State students, so keep an eye out for these.
Buyer’s Market – 10% off on Thursdays
Located at the Muncie Mall, this store sells discounted name-brand clothing, home goods, school supplies, electronic accessories, and more. Come by with a student ID on Thursdays for an even better deal than their initial markdowns.
Soul Sisters Boutique – 10% off purchase
Located in downtown Muncie, this is a local shop that sells clothing and other accessories. Students receive 10% off at Soul Sisters Boutique.
TRANSPORTATION
Muncie busses (MITS) – Free with student ID
While the Ball State bus system is great, the Muncie bus system can take you to places off-campus. Some routes stop on campus and run to Walmart, Target, the mall, and downtown Muncie. The best part is that the bus is free for Ball State students with an ID!
Muncie Civic Theatre - $15 ticket
Muncie Civic Theatre is a historic theatre located in downtown Muncie. The theatre puts on plays and musicals year-round and offers a discount on tickets to students with a BSU ID. Catch a show for only $15!
Ball State Sports – Free admission to home games
If you want to show your school spirit and attend a game, don’t worry about paying for a ticket! All Ball State students receive free general admission to regular season Ball State home games. You can claim a free ticket online or present your ID at the gate in lieu of a ticket.
Minnetrista Museum & Gardens- Discount Membership
The Minnetrista offers a $5 membership to BSU students. This membership allows admission to all exhibits for one full year! To sign up, call 765-282-4848 or visit the Minnetrista front desk.
Emens Auditorium - $5 Ticket
Ball State Students can attend most events presented by Emens Auditorium for only $5 (and sometimes free)! Students can also pick five performances for a discount package price of $20. Some exclusions may apply, and this must be purchased at the Emens box office at the time of the performance.
YMCA – Discounts for Young Adults
Young adults (aged 19-30) receive a significantly cheaper discount compared to adults. The joining fee is $25, but young adults pay $21.00 per month, compared to 31+ adults who pay $42.00 a month.
DIGITAL DISCOUNTS
Spotify – $5.99/month for Spotify Premium and Hulu
Spotify offers an amazing discount on not only Spotify Premium, but access to Hulu!
DoorDash Dashpass – $4.99/month
DoorDash comes in handy for an intense study session that cannot be interrupted. Dashpass is a subscription service that offers $0 delivery fees on eligible orders of $12 or more!
YouTube Premium – $7.99/month
If you’re looking for ad-free videos and the option to download for offline viewing, YouTube premium is available to students at a discounted rate of only $7.99 a month, plus one month for free! This also includes ad-free YouTube Music.
Prime Student – 6-month free trial, $7.49/month after trial
An Amazon Prime Student subscription offers free delivery options, access to Prime Video and Amazon Music, and unlimited reading with Prime Reading.
There’s no one more equipped to give you advice than Ball State Alumni! On the “Ball State University Alumni” Facebook page, these alumni shared what they wish they could tell their freshman self. Here’s what they had to say:
POV: You go back in time and meet your freshman self. What advice do you give them?
• Get involved in campus activities! Don’t go home every weekend!
• Enjoy it… college flies by way too fast.
• Go to the Career Center. Ball State has an innovative Career Services team and they want to help you!
• Love every moment, and know you’re making friends who will be with you throughout your life.
• Just relax… everything is going to be fine!
• Take more pictures — you’ll thank yourself later.
• Always go to class prepared. Do your homework!
• Go to class.
• Keep studying hard, but learn to let go and have fun every once in a while. Go meet new people!
• Take it easy to start, don’t take the hard courses until later.
• Keep a journal.
• Take advantage of every opportunity.
• Step outside of your comfort zone and take the classes that interest you, and not just the ones you take for your major.
• You will survive the homesickness and make lifelong friends!
• It’s ok to change your major when you first realize you’re not enjoying the one you first picked!
• Take the risks. Travel abroad. Go above and beyond in the classroom and enjoy yourself more.
• Stay in touch with your family, but learn how to fend for yourself!
• Listen to your gut, when it tells you to go a different way don’t let people tell you otherwise!
• Get more sleep.
• It’s not you competing with your class. It’s you competing against yourself.
Advice from The McKinley Avenue Agency class of 2024!
• Try really hard to get internships!
• Know who and where your resources are.
• Try local restaurants and businesses, there is a lot of good to experience in Muncie.
• Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself!
• The students here are amazing and talented, being able to spend time with them outside of the classroom is an experience you will regret missing out on.
• Start networking early!
• I’d highly suggest going to the activity fair at the beginning of the year so you can meet people with common interests.
• HAVE FUN!
• Find your study spot.
• Be social but set boundaries for your schedule
• Get involved early on!
• Don’t be afraid to try new things and get out there.
• Go to the football games, they’re fun!
• Say yes to as many opportunities as you can.
Ball Bearings Magazine is the official student-run magazine of Ball State University. Our focus on “why” explores the impact of national and regional issues through the lens of Ball State students. Ball Bearings provides readers with thought-provoking feature stories, columns and commentary, essays and criticism, and Q&As that focus on what it means to live now.
1. Walk the Cow Path
2. Go to Air Jam
3. Watch or participate in the Bed Races during Homecoming Week
4. See a performance at John R. Emens Auditorium
5. Tailgate at Homecoming and actually go to the game
6. Get on the Dean’s List
7. Regret taking an 8 a.m.
8. Get trapped in an elevator
9. Dress up Frog Baby
10. Don’t forget to rub her nose during finals week
11. Kiss under Beneficence
12. Meet at Naked Lady
13. Make it onto @Barstoolballst Instagram page
14. Get lost in the North Quad Building
15. Get a ride from Charlie’s Charter
16. Have a cup of Joe at The Caffeinery
17. Relax in a hammock in the Quad or University Green
18. Take a photo of the 10th floor of Teachers College
19. Sit under Shafer Tower
20. Get free condoms at the Amelia T. Wood Health Center
21. Play volleyball by Stu West
22. Say hi to President Mearns
23. Attend Dance Marathon
24. Attend the Rocky Horror Picture Show on Halloween night
25. Attend Late Night Carnival
26. See a move at Friday Night Filmworks
27. Go see Buddha at the David Owsley Museum of Art
28. Join an organization
29. Eat at every dining hall
30. Eat free pancakes from The Chrsitian Campus House
31. Use a meal swipe for just drinks
32. Have a dining plus spending spree after finals
33. Have your parents visit for family weekend
34. See fireworks at Minnetrista
35. Get a photo with Charlie Cardinal
36. Donate blood and plasma
37. Live off campus
38. Live in Muncie during the summer
39. Use an “Oops Voucher” for parking in the wrong spot
40. Catch a concert at Be Here Now
41. Eat at Greek’s Pizzeria
42. Order Insomnia Cookies past midnight
43. Eat a meal prepared by Chef Jason in the student center
44. Go to Sunshine Cafe
45. Sign your name on the bathroom wall in the Chug
46. Have a margarita at Puerto Vallarta (when you’re 21+)
47. Do a Muncie bar crawl
48. Read The Daily News
49. Visit Dave’s Alley in downtown Muncie
By
When you open up your ‘bsu.edu’ email, keep an eye out for the ‘Daily Digest’ and other content from the Ball State Communications Center. The Communication Center works as a self-service platform used to publicize news and information. Want to know if there’s a book sale? Communications Center. Is the library still closed because of that water leak? Communications Center. Did they ever catch that alien monster that eats teenagers and lives in the walls? The last one is obviously a joke, but if there was actually a monster: Communications Center.
The Ball State Daily is a collaborative website that hosts our university’s award-winning, student-run media organizations. The Ball State Daily is a great resource to stay up-to-date with news and events throughout Muncie and Ball State. You may find it to be a useful resource for other things as well, like Muncie weather updates and pop-culture reviews. The website features sponsored stories and advertisements for local Muncie businesses and services. It also features a classifieds page that posts job opportunities, local internships, professor reviews, an online market, etc.
The Cardinal Career Center is a great resource for students looking for a job on campus. Using their job-finding application, Cardinal Career Link, it’s easy to find jobs in the area. Make an account, put in your information including your graduation year and major, then just wait. The Cardinal Career Center will email you opportunities that relate to your major and experience. Plus, they have services for resume-building, career coaching, internships and post-grad opportunities.
BennyLink will help you find opportunities like the Cardinal Career Center. However, rather than job opportunities it will help you find extracurricular and organizational opportunities, as well as inform you about upcoming events and important news. If you’re looking for different student clubs and organizations on campus that’ll appeal to you, BennyLink is one of the first places you’ll want to look. Sign in with your BSU email address and password, search for an event or organization, and then BennyLink will do the rest.
NewsLink Indiana is Ball State’s student-run news station. The stations produces a 30 minute newscast four days a week. Shows include: local news, national news, entertainment, weather and sports. Every show is live and broadcasted to all of Delaware County. Students can apply to be anchors, reporters and or in producing positions each each semester.
NewsLink’s main goal is to cover as many stories as possible and keep audiences informed.
By Alexa Ramsey
Ball State has its fair share of myths and superstitions about campus landmarks, and you may have already heard of them on a campus tour. Even if you aren’t a superstitious person, knowing about these myths can make your time on campus a bit livelier! After all, who doesn’t love a magical story?
Shafer Tower is one of Ball State’s key landmarks. It’s basically impossible to walk through campus and not notice it. However, it’s been said that if you walk directly under it, you’ll be cursed to not graduate in four years! Terrifying. Architecture students have nothing to fear, though. They’re going to graduate in at least five years no matter what, so they can walk under it as many times as they please. Either way, if you want to test the myth for yourself, be our guest!
You’ve likely seen the Beneficence Statue in a lot of Ball State’s advertising, but you may not have heard about her myth! It’s said that if you and your significant other kiss in front of Benny and she flaps her wings, it’s true love! However, since she is a statue and probably will not flap her wings, it’s also a really good spot for a breakup. Again, feel free to test this for yourself. Maybe you and your partner truly are soulmates with love that can defy the laws of physics!
If you need a bout of good luck on your final exams, Frog Baby is the place to go! It’s said that if you rub her nose, you’ll receive good luck on your exams! This tradition began when BSU students would make a pilgrimage to the David Owsley Museum of Art to rub her nose, but ever since she was moved to the outdoor fountain by Bracken Library, students have shifted to lending her a scarf and hat to protect her from the cold! Either way, if you’re in a pinch during exam season, rub Frog Baby’s nose! We can’t guarantee that it’ll actually help, but it’s still fun to try!
By Sam Allen
It was late in the afternoon, but the sun beat relentlessly on James’ face as he walked along the brick sidewalk. The heat and exhaust from the cars speeding past on his left seemed to seep into his skin. He wanted desperately to make it back to his dorm, even if all he had waiting was his COMM 210 homework and ENG 104 paper. He knew that college involved a lot of walking, but these August summers keep getting hotter and hotter. He wiped a hand across his brow, squinting up to see Shafer Tower looming up ahead.
James’ vision started to cloud and dim at the edges, normal noises became obscene, and his brain worked against him. Thoughts and perceptions flashed in his head both too fast and too slow. Geese honked and hissed at him from the grass, and he swore the bus sped up once he started crossing the street in front of it. He needed shade, needed a rest. He took a gulp from his water bottle and walked under the bell tower. It chimed for five o’clock, and James took five deep breaths in time with the bells.
Once his vision became clear and he started to cool down, he continued under Shafer Tower to cross the street again, striding confidently to his dorm at North. Heat exhaustion is no joke! Thank goodness he remembered his water bottle that day and that the tower revived his overheated body and spirit.
A harmless choice, he thought. To walk under the tower, the only shade he could find, it was the only option he had. And for the next three years, the memory slowly faded from his head. Although, a dark cloud was soon to arrive, looming until just the right moment to bring the curse to fruition.
James finally reached his last week at Ball State. Just one more final left! On that calm and clear day in May, James walked along McKinley Avenue to take his last test. Looking up from his phone at the last second, he dodged a food robot headed straight for him. He laughed to himself, shaking his head. Nothing could stop James; graduation was just three days away!
As he continued his walk, he noticed another food robot from across the street stop, turn, and cross straight for him. A car was coming quick, but slammed its brakes to keep from crashing into it. The robot’s sensors must be malfunctioning, but before James could think of who to report that to, something caught his eye behind him…
A crowd, a hoard, a fleet of food robots had overtaken the sidewalk, even spilling into the street, speeding and rushing towards James! He screamed and took off, running as fast as he could to outrun their unbelievably quick wheels. He skirted corners, tried to cut them off behind the Art and Journalism building, even tried to use the Scramble Light to distract them, but nothing could stop them! He ran around campus for almost an hour, missing his last final—and failing the last class he needed for his degree. Poor James was forced to take the summer class, tacking one extra semester to his time at Ball State.
Only then did he remember the curse, a harmless tidbit of information from his campus tour four years ago…that went something like this:
Freshmen beware! Even in a scare, passing under the tower, there is much danger there. For if you do make a quick passage through, four years of school will simply not do!
James’ is a cautionary tale about the Shafer Tower myth, but while we might never know the truth of the curse, we’d prefer you not take your chances! However, the food robots chase scene is most definitely an exaggeration—those robots are here to help! There’s no better way to get food on campus in a pinch…but watch your back.
Again, just kidding. Stay safe out there!
