August 28, 2023 - Welcome Back

WelCome back guide 2023

academic calendar

2023 Football Schedule

tips for starting o strong

what’s in my backpack

staying healthy

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dining options

student discounts

campus bingo

avoiding burnout

trader joe’s favorites

freshman connection:

insider info

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Nur Yavuz

Lizzy Alspach

Nick Elliott

Savannah Grooms

Ella Sherman

Olivia Yasharo

Bridget Byrne

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construction roundup

Trader joes favorites

Gameday experience

biking basics

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academic calendar

FALL 2023

Aug. 28 — First day of classes

Sept. 4 — Labor Day

Nov. 22-26 — Thanksgiving break

Dec. 11 — Last day of classes

Dec. 12 — Reading day

Dec. 13-19 — Final exams

spring 2024

Jan. 24 — First Day of Classes

March 17-24 — Spring Break

May 9 — Last day of classes

May 10 — Reading day

May 11-17 — Final exams

May 20 — Commencement (college/department ceremonies)

See commencement.umd.edu for any updates

winter 2023-24

Jan. 2 — Classes begin

Jan. 15 — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

Jan. 22 — Classes end

May 20 — Commencement (main ceremony)

May 21 — Commencement (college/department ceremonies)

summer 2024

May 28 — Sessions I and I-A begin

June 14 — Session I-A ends

June 17 — Session I-B begins

June 19 — Juneteenth Holiday

July 4 — Independence Day holiday

July 5 — Sessions I and I-B end

July 8 — Sessions II and II-C begin

July 26 — Session II-C ends

July 29 — Session II-D begins

Aug. 16 — Sessions II and II-D end

2023 football schedule

Date against time home/awaY

September 2

September 9

September 15

September 23

September 30

October 7

October 14

October 28

November 4

November 11

November 18

November 25

Experiencing the first home football game is one of the best parts of the fall semester at the University of Maryland. Football season will kick o at SECU Stadium on Sept. 2 this fall, and you won’t want to miss it.

As a University of Maryland student, your tickets for all sporting events are free. Here is a step-by-step guide to claiming student football tickets:

1) Set up a student ticket account at umterps.com/student

2) Check your terpmail – an email will be sent out titled

“Football Student Ticket Claim” when each request period begins

3) Click the red “REQUEST YOUR TICKET” button at the bottom of each email.

4) Sign in, choose “football” and select the correct event. Follow the directions to request your ticket.

Keep in mind that for popular sports like football, student tickets can sell out quickly. Do yourself a favor and claim your ticket early.

Attending home football games will also earn you loyalty points. The loyalty distribution is activated in cases where there are not enough student tickets to meet the demand for football or men’s basketball games. If you no-show a game you have tickets for, you lose loyalty points. If you realize you can no longer attend, there is also an option to return your ticket online.

The tickets for the men’s basketball games often sell out the quickest. So, make sure you use your ticket when you have one! Attending football games will

help rack up loyalty points while allowing you to experience the fun of game day. It’s a win-win.

There is no shortage of excitement during home football games. From tailgating beforehand, cheering in the packed student section, and witnessing sacred Maryland traditions, there is a place for all students.

Don’t forget to make your student ticket account this week, check your email and proudly represent this university at the first football game of the season.

Tips for starting the school year o strong

By Nur Yazuz | Tabloid Editor | @sudeNur_Yavuz

Keep Track of Your Schedule

If you have a bad habit of forgetting your schedule, write it down and put it somewhere you can see. This can be your lock screen, on a post it note or even on your hand. To view your schedule click “student schedule” at testudo.umd.edu. Remembering your schedule will get easier with time as you begin to build a routine on campus.

Stay Organized

I find Google Calendar to be severely underrated, and the most useful tool to keep track of everything in my life. You can add calendars for your meals, time at the gym, class and social activities. This calendar setup allows you to practice time blocking, a productivity technique that involves dividing your day into blocks of time that are designated to one task or event at a time.

Read the Syllabus

If you haven’t heard this tip yet, listen up. Reading your class syllabus is the most important thing you can do o the bat. Your syllabus can tell you everything you need to know: grade distributions, assignments of the semester, exam dates, expectations, attendance policies and more important information.

Once you have all of the information you need, take note of any important assignments or deadlines that might creep up on you in the future. Be aware of grading policies and cuto s before contacting your professor about an assignment.

Check Your Email

Checking your email is the most helpful habit you can adopt. Whether it be announcements about a class of the day being canceled, or changes to an assignments deadline, you won’t want to miss any important information.

Do not be afraid to use email to your advantage. Reach out to your TAs or professors depending on syllabus policies for any questions or concerns you may have, and use o ce hours to ask questions and get extra help. The same thing goes for keeping in touch with your academic advisor, their job is to help you, so make use of their resources.

Use Online Resources

If you decide to add a class to your schedule, make sure to use Planet Terp to check any reviews, ratings, and grade distributions at planetterp.com/.

For clubs, you can access Terp Link at terplink.umd.edu to look through all of the organizations on campus and sign up for them. The first look fair is also extremely useful in finding active organizations that you could be interested in. Don’t be afraid to go and talk to the people at every table, you could end up finding your crowd.

One thing to keep note of is to not sign up for a bunch at a time. Each club’s time commitment is di erent and you don’t want to bite o what you can’t chew.

Keep Track of Assignments

Although you have your syllabus which will most likely list all of your assignments, you aren’t reminded of deadlines like you were in high school. Keep track of your homework via whatever system works best for you: your notes app, sticky notes, a planner or calendar.

Check Canvas/ELMS frequently for any important assignments or notices about classwork. In some cases, you will even communicate with your TAs and professors via Canvas.

You’ll get into the groove as you gather experience and develop a schedule on campus. Everyone has their own way of navigating campus, I’m sure you’ll find yours.

To Terps new and old, welcome and good luck! If this is your first fall semester at the University of Maryland, here are a couple of tips to start the semester strong.

What’s in my backpack

While it can be tricky to find a quick route to class, it can be even trickier to stay prepared for a long day in College Park. What you pack in your backpack can change every day, but as an experienced student, here are a few things I never leave home without.

By Lizzy Alspach | ManagingEditor

Paper and pens

This may seem obvious, but be sure to pack a notebook and a couple pens in your backpack. Google Docs and iPad applications certainly make note taking more convenient, but sometimes professors prohibit electronic devices in class. I know in my first semester of college, I was surprised that a couple of my professors completely prohibited computers and tablets. I missed a valuable day or two of notes because of that, so be sure to bring some paper and pens. You also never know when you may need to sign a sheet or lend a pen to a class buddy.

chargers

This may also seem like a given, but I always bring my laptop and phone charger with me everywhere I go. I have a habit of not charging my devices while I sleep, so sometimes I find myself in class with two percent left on my laptop. Not bringing your charger when your headphones are dying can be a mood killer, as well. Days are long in College Park, so chargers are essential.

umbrella

You’ve definitely heard a lot of students claim that Maryland’s weather is unpredictable. Well, as a Maryland native and student here, I can tell you that this is completely true. Always, and I mean always, bring an umbrella with you. Especially in the warmer seasons, the weather can go from sunny and bright to stormy and raining in a matter of minutes. It’s best to bring an umbrella to stay prepared. I always leave one in my backpack so I never forget it.

snacks

I know what you’re thinking: why bring snacks in your bag when dining halls, convenience stores and co ee shops exist? Well, I can’t even count the number of times I was too lazy to leave my study spot to get some dining hall food. If you’re deep in writing an essay or studying class material, it’s inconvenient to pack up and relocate. Convenience stores and co ee shops are abundant on campus, but the cost of a co ee and a mu n every day adds up. You may have dining dollars, but you want to make those last for when you truly need a ca einated pickme-up: finals season. With Trader Joe’s just a short walk from campus, getting snacks in advance to have in your bag will certainly make future you happy.

Medicine

Maryland allergies can get quite… out of hand. I always bring some type of allergy medication with me, no matter the season. It’s nice to have when you start to feel a bit stu ed up by blooming fl owers or fresh cut grass on McKeldin Mall. I also bring Ibuprofen with me everywhere I go, just in case I get a headache. I didn’t pack any pain medicine with me in my fi rst semester of college and never had it when I needed it. I would be at the mercy of the elements if none of my friends had medicine with them, and definitely didn’t have money to spend buying some at the closest convenience store. A small pack of medication works wonders, so be sure to bring one at all times.

water bottle

If you take anything from this guide, it should be to take a water bottle with you everywhere. Literally everywhere. This campus is huge, and the number of steps you’ll put in will surprise you. It gets hot, everybody gets sweaty and dehydration is a given. There are water bottle refi ll stations pretty much everywhere on campus, so having a refillable water bottle is a must. I always refill my water bottle once or twice a day. Hydrate or diedrate, as some say.

Staying Healthy

Moving into your dorm can be an exciting time in your life, but it can take an unexpected toll on your body. It’s quite common to catch a cold or get sick the first few months, especially when the weather gets colder. This is because your dorm, house or apartment is a new environment your immune system needs to adjust to. There are a lot more germs than you’d think. Here are some tips on how to stay prepared if you get sick on campus, and a couple helpful resources to have on hand.

By Nur Yavuz | TabloidEditor | @sudeNur_Yavuz

university health center

If you haven’t yet, go check out the University Health Center’s website at health.umd.edu/. At the health center, you can make appointments at myUHC.umd.edu/ for primary care visits, physical exams, women and men’s health, gender a rming care, vaccinations and more. Visit the website to explore all of its services under the Medical and Behavioral Health tab.

The health center also has a pharmacy that you can get your prescriptions sent to, as well as an over-the-counter pharmacy. All you need is your university ID, your insurance and ID on hand. Masks are required indoors.

Pro tip – don’t go to class if you’re sick. Your professor and classmates could potentially have compromised immune systems and will appreciate it more than you think. It’s a lot easier to email and get accommodations from your teacher than to drag yourself to class and su er through it with a runny nose and a crunchy cough.

nutrients

The most basic tip of all is focused around your diet. Make sure you’re staying hydrated and getting all of your nutrients. Vitamin C can prevent and shorten infection. Some healthy, Vitamin C rich foods you can find in campus dining halls on rotation include tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, strawberries, oranges and grapefruit.

Vitamin A also helps fight infections and can be found in carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, butternut squash, cantaloupe and dark green leafy vegetables.

Hydration is also extremely important, especially if you need to flush bad toxins out of your system after a night out. Make sure to carry water with you around campus and hydrate frequently.

Medicine

A staple for most college students is something you might already be familiar with – Dayquil and Nyquil. Available in both syrup and pill form, you can find these medications among others in the Union Shop in Stamp Student Union and the other three convenience stores on campus, as well as the pharmacy in the health center. Extremely convenient to take, a dose of DayQuil or NyQuil can be quite healing if you’re feeling under the weather.

Stocking up on Emergen-C can also be good to take on occasions you feel your immune system might crash.

If you have any seasonal, medicine or food allergies, make sure to carry your medication on campus according to your own personal needs.

staying clean

A dorm environment can get quite messy as we move through di erent weather conditions, seasons and breaks. A lot of dirt and buildup can make its way into your room and could damage your immune system. Make sure to have proper cleaning supplies on hand to keep a tidy room.

Though we are all young, taking care of our bodies is most important. Don’t neglect your health, and remember to make good, conscious decisions during your stay on campus.

Aspen Heights apartment move-in delayed to mid-September

By Savannah Grooms | Sta writer

University of Maryland students who signed leases at the Aspen Heights apartment complex will have to reside in hotel rooms until at least mid-September after Aspen Heights announced a delayed opening last week.

Aspen Heights’ community manager Nino Matheny informed student residents in an email on Aug. 7 that the complex will put students in temporary housing due to the lack of permanent utilities in the new apartment complex.

On Monday, one week after the initial email, an Aspen Heights employee noted the utilities are now installed. But the apartment complex is awaiting approval by Prince George’s County and a Prince George’s County Use and Occupancy Permit, according to the city of College Park in an email to The Diamondback. The Prince George’s County department of permitting, inspections and enforcement did not respond to a request for comment.

“While our general contractor is doing everything in their power to resolve the issue as soon as possible, they anticipate the earliest we will be able to get residents moved in will likely be mid-September,” Matheny’s email said.

Until then, Aspen Heights has partnered with local hotels

for temporary housing, according to the email.

From Aug. 19 to Aug. 25, students who signed leases with Aspen Heights will live at hotels about 3.5 miles away from this university’s campus, the email said. Then, from Aug. 26 until they can move in, students will be moved to The Hotel at the University of Maryland and Cambria Hotel.

Junior elementary/middle special education major Tori Hogan, an incoming resident at Aspen Heights, said she is both excited and worried about her move to the new apartment complex. Because of the delayed opening, she said she decided to stay at home for an extra week to avoid moving between hotels.

“I’m actually pretty much almost completely packed because I was ready to leave on the nineteenth,” Hogan said. “It’s definitely not Aspen’s fault that this is happening… Aspen’s doing everything they can to make this a smooth transition.”

To help o set the inconvenience, Aspen Heights is providing students with a $30 daily stipend for the duration of the delay and up to a $100 reimbursement for storage fees, last week’s email said.

This isn’t the first time Aspen Heights’ delayed a move-in

date for students.

Last February at Washington State University, the local Aspen Heights complex told students they could not move into the apartments they signed leases for because the units would not be ready as promised.

Some residents lost more than $1,000 and others had to find their own replacement housing, according to reporting from The Daily Evergreen, Washington State’s student-led newspaper.

Hogan said she appreciates that Aspen Heights secured temporary housing for students at this university.

“They made this something that’s really easy to do and to get around,” Hogan said.

Aspen Heights is working to get students moved into their new apartments as soon as possible, Matheny wrote in the email.

“We understand you are eager to get settled into your new home, and this delay is a disappointment,” the email said. “But please know that it is our priority to take care of our residents and minimize this inconvenience as much as possible until we can get you moved into your brand-new Aspen apartment home.”

CONSTRUCTION development next to Knox Road, College Park on Oct. 6, 2022. (neelay sachdeva/the diamondback)

hungry, terps? on-campus dining

Stamp Student Union has several fast food restaurants, which annoyingly aren’t all open at the same time. Some highlights include Chick-fil-A, Moby Dick, Panda Express and Qdoba, which are all located in the main eatery. There’s also a Subway in the TerpZone and a co ee shop near the main entrance that serves Starbucks.

If you’re in a rush, head to Stamp’s convenience shop to assemble your own meal. You can grab a quick packaged and prepared sandwich and add on fruit, yogurt or a bag of chips.

Stamp is also home to the Maryland Dairy, an ice cream shop that serves a wide variety of university-crafted flavors such as Fear the Turtle.

dining options in Stamp

• Chick-fil-A

• The Coffee Bar

• Maryland Dairy

• Qdoba

• Union Pizza

• Hibachi San

• Moby Dick

• Panda Express

• Saladworks

• Subway

There’s also a lot of food outside Stamp. Cafes with standard convenience store fare are scattered across campus in academic buildings, usually with relevant or corny names, such as Applause at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center or Quantum in the Physical Science Complex.

Every Wednesday from April through midNovember, the Farmers Market sets up camp at Tawes Plaza Garden for a couple hours, o ering produce, eggs and pastries, as well as some specialty products such as jewelry and beeswax products. Everything sold here is grown or produced by the vendor selling it.

campus cafes

Applause

The Clarice Smith

Performing Arts Center

Breakpoint

The Iribe Center

Food for Thought

The Edward St. John Teaching And Learning Center

Footnotes

McKeldin Library

IDEA Central

IDEA Factory

Quantum

The Physical Sciences Complex

Rudy’s Van Munching Hall

Sneaker’s Smoothies

Eppley Recreation Center

E+M Cafe

Kirwan Food Court

CASH IN ON STUDENT DEALS

After registering for classes, students get access to Terpware, which features software resources accessible for free. To access it, go to terpware.umd.edu and log in with your student ID. Two of the main perks are Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft O ce 365.

Creative Cloud comes with a variety of applications for design and production. You’ve got Photoshop to make fi re memes, Audition to finish up your mixtape and Premiere Pro to get your YouTube career off the ground — plus Illustrator and Acrobat. The point is, it’s pretty sweet. But the service runs out after you graduate, so you’ll have to subscribe if you want to keep your stu .

Microsoft Office 365 offers Word, Excel and PowerPoint, among other programs that are useful for class. Here are more student discounts you can get:

Spotify Premium $9.99/month

For students: $4.99/month

Hulu with ads $7.99/month

For students: $1.99/month

Amazon Prime $14.99/month

For students: First 6 months free, $7.49/month after

Apple Music $10.99/month

For students: $5.99/month

how to avoid burnout

“Exercise” - Castaldo5

“Do stu for myself that I enjoy. Gym, sports, Netflix, shopping, traveling, etc.”

-jaartz

“Taking breaks and resting.”

-naturally.natalie918

“I take rests when my body tells me to. Meaning if I’m tired, I take a nap. I separate my work in chunks.” -

The_mexican_ninja

“Meditation” - Aliqm_

“Trying really hard not to procrastinate” -ericaaaaxo

ADD/DROP PERIOD

By Nicholas Elliot | FreelanceReporter | @nickelliott_19

Scheduling classes can seem overwhelming and complicated, and finding ones that fit best into your schedule and four year plan can be tough. Sometimes, not everything works out the way you want it to. Luckily, the university has an add/drop period where students can see if a class is right for them – but it’s important to know how to do it properly and avoid unintended consequences.

Schedule Adjustment Period

Students have the first ten business days each semester to figure out if they want to add or drop a course. For the fall semester, the last date to add a course is Sept. 11. It’s Feb. 6 in the spring. Courses dropped in the 10 day window do not appear on your transcript, but if you drop a course after, it will appear as a withdrawal. During schedule adjustment, you are not required to pay for courses added or dropped if they are of equal credit value and processed on the same day. In general, it’s ideal to have most of your classes set in stone. Your advisor is your friend, and can help you plan your schedule ahead of time.

Penalties for Drops and Refunds

Full-time undergraduate students do not receive a refund if they drop a course and are still registered for 12 credits or more. If you drop a course that puts you at or below 11 credits before the first day of the semester, you will be charged based on part-time student per credit hour fees, rather than a lump-sum tuition. If you add a class later and bring the total number of credits to 12 or more, you’re charged based on the difference between the per-credit-hour fees and general fees for full-time students. It’s important to keep the number of credits above the threshold to be considered a full-time undergraduate. During the first five days of classes, you will be charged based on part-time fees with an added 20 percent of the difference between the full-time tuition, fees and applicable part-time charges. After these five days, there is no refund if you drop below 12 credits, or become a part time student. It’s important you understand if you want to be a full-time student to avoid unnecessary fees and hassle. Talk to your academic advisor consistently about classes you need in the near future and further down the line.

A letter to Freshman Connection students

By Nur Yavuz | TabloidEditor | @sudeNur_Yavuz

Dear Freshman Connection student,

Have no fear, this program is barely different than being admitted straight into the freshman class. With a few limitations, you are still able to do almost everything other students can.

The most noteworthy difference between Freshman Connection and the traditional first semester schedule is the program’s class times. Freshman Connection classes range from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday. You’ll likely walk back from class in the dark for most of the winter, so make sure to stay safe and bring adequate clothing when it gets colder at night.

Yahentamitsi Dining Hall and South Campus Dining Hall don’t let students in after 9 p.m. — not long after some classes end — so prepare to find the nearest one. 251 North Dining Hall closes at 8 p.m.

Staying in touch with your academic advisor during your Freshman Connection semester is crucial. Although the program only lasts one semester, make sure you satisfy all requirements for your limited enrollment program, if you’re hoping to be in one. Letters and Sciences is the advising home for all Freshman Connection students.

Freshman Connection newcomers should also have a strong four-year plan. It’s OK to not know what you want to do in the future or what classes to take. But getting your general education requirements completed and scheduling prerequisites for other courses can set you on the right path for your future at this university. This can all get accomplished with the help of your advisor—and only adds to the importance of staying in touch with those who will support you this fall.

Surrounding yourself with other Freshman Connection students can help you feel a little less alone when your schedule is the complete opposite of students who attend class in the daytime.

You have the same opportunities as everyone else to join clubs, socialize and find your people, which can be easier if you’re living on campus.

Find a schedule that works for you. Plan ahead of time when to study and complete homework so you always have enough time to spend with friends.

- Nur Yavuz

CONSTRUCTION ROUND UP

By Bridget Byrne | Sta Writer | @brdgtbyrn

For years, the most notable construction project on campus has been the Purple Line project. The 16-mile light rail will connect Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park, and New Carrolton when complete. The project is managed by the Maryland Transit Administration, and will connect with Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s larger Metrorail system. The Purple Line is expected to begin service in 2027, a decade after construction began and more than five years behind schedule. The construction site for the Purple Line cuts through the Leonardtown Community, down Rossborough Lane, up Campus Drive and o campus on Adelphi Road. The project forces several sidewalk detours along Campus Drive and often rearranges tra c patterns. But once completed, the Purple Line will make College Park significantly more accessible and make other areas of Maryland more accessible from College Park.

The Route 1 improvement project has been underway since 2020 and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The project will widen Route 1 into a four-lane road with a five-foot-wide bike lane, pedestrian-grade street lighting, new signage, improved drainage systems, new landscaping and other improvements. The project currently makes tra c along Route 1 unpredictable. Upon its completion, Route 1 will be safer for pedestrians and micro-mobility riders, likely improving downtown for College Park residents.

Several apartment buildings are being constructed o campus along Knox Road and Hartwick Road, on the south end of campus. For students who live in South Campus Commons, Terrapin Row or anywhere else near these sites, construction is disruptive — sometimes starting early in the morning, blowing dust in the air and blocking sidewalks. The apartment buildings will be lavish for students, with 24-hour gyms and pools. Three buildings are opening this fall: The Standard on Hartwick Road, Aspen Heights on Knox Road and Hub on Knox Road.

The University of Maryland experience comes hand in hand with navigating a seemingly endless amount of construction, on and o campus.

trader joe’s favorites

The College Park Trader Joe’s has become a valued part of campus culture since its opening last fall. From snacks on the go to “girl dinners,” the popular grocery store has something for everyone. Here are some suggestions on what to buy on your next trip.

By Olivia Yasharo

backpack-friendly snacks

Items like the Soft & Juicy Mango or the Organic Apple Banana Fruit Sauce Crushers are great afternoon pick-me-ups and library fuel. The Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips are another crowd pleaser for study sessions with friends. A personal favorite to have on hand during lectures is the Green Tea Infused Mints, which you can usually find at check out.

dorm sweets and treats

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups are a must-have for study breaks. Pro tip: keep them in the refrigerator for a perfectly chilled sweet treat. If you have a freezer, any flavors of the Mini Hold the Cone Ice Creams or Mochi should definitely be on your list.

Looking for something salty? The Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers with the Organic Thick & Chunky Salsa or the Sharp Cheddar Cheese Cracker Cuts paired with Everything but the Bagel Seasoned Crackers are great options.

Easy apartment cooking

Meal prep is a lot easier with access to a kitchen and more freezer space. The frozen hash browns with some avocado and Everything but the Bagel Seasoning on top is a breakfast you’ll dream about. Lunch or dinner ideas with low maintenance preparation include the Spanish Style Rice with Chipotle Vegetable Quesadillas or Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice and Garlic Naan – all found in the frozen section.

If you’re looking for a simple recipe that’ll impress your friends, try TikTok creator @richmondfood’s Chicken Caesar Ciabatta. All you need is a caesar salad kit, frozen breaded chicken, ciabatta and parmesan cheese. If you have an air fryer, cook the chicken at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Top the ciabatta with olive oil and parmesan and add to the air fryer for the last five minutes. You can also toast in the oven for about five minutes at 350 degrees. Next, prepare the salad kit, mixing in the chicken. Finally, layer onto the ciabatta and enjoy!

quick dorm meals

Sleep through your alarm and need breakfast on the go? Pair some Strawberries & Cream Yogurt with some Almond Butter Granola for your walk to class. The Mediterranean Style Orzo Pasta Salad is a reliable lunch that will fit in your mini fridge. When you’re in a time crunch or just don’t feel like going to the dining hall, the Trader Joe’s frozen aisle is your best friend. Joe’s Diner Mac ‘n Cheese or Steamed Pork & Ginger Soup Dumplings are easy and tasty microwavable meals.

other fun nds

Trader Joe’s flowers and plants are a nice and fairly cheap way to spruce up your dorm or apartment. You should also look out for their seasonal decor and tote bags that’ll be sure to earn some compliments.

Grocery shopping doesn’t have to be boring. Grab some friends and explore all the amazing products Trader Joe’s has to o er. You may just find recipe inspiration from its Fearless Flyer newsletter or stumble upon your next favorite snack.

Taneen Momeni/the diamondback

THE GAME DAY EXPERIENCE

This article is part of The Diamondback’s 2023 Orientation Guide. Some information and resources have been updated to reflect current dates and events.

Sports can be one of the most exciting parts of college, and at Maryland you’ll get a game day experi-

hard

Here’s

to get the most out of your trip to the stadium.

student tickets giveaways

For sports like football and men’s basketball, the student tickets will disappear quickly, so you’ll want to be ready. To set up your account for student tickets, go to umterps.com/student. Pay attention to your email: You’ll get a message for the start of each request period (which, like you’d think, is the time you can request a ticket for a given game). When putting in your order for a ticket, make sure to select “Mobile PDF Delivery” — that way, you can just have it stored on your phone instead of printing it out. And this should go without saying, but if you get a ticket, use it! It’ll help you build up loyalty points, giving you a better shot of getting more in-demand tickets in the future.

tailgates

For every home football game, the campus is crowded with fans of all ages. You’ll want to take part in the revelry at a tailgate, and there are plenty of options to choose from:

The IFC tailgate: The Interfraternity Council tailgate is now held near Lot 1, and it’s limited to people with wristbands. If you’re able to get your wrists on one, there’s tons of food, drinks and games in store.

Terp Up for Game Day: Two hours before every home game, La Plata Beach turns into a huge tailgate zone with games and giveaways.

Host your own: Parking on campus isn’t cheap (see page 12 for more on that), but if you’re able to swing a spot on Saturday, you might as well bring a grill and some burgers. Check out the tailgate rules so you don’t get in trouble — you won’t be able to watch the game if you’re booted from the campus.

Make sure you BYOF (bring your own food). Sure, that crab cake in Maryland Stadium might look tasty, but it’ll cost you a pretty penny. If you’re tailgating, eat outside and don’t buy the food in the stadium. Your wallet — and, in all likelihood, your stomach — will thank you.

If you go to enough sporting events at Maryland, you’re going to get a lot of free stu . T-shirts are the most common giveaway, and for every straightforward design, there’s a wacky, outside-the-box one, like the football T-shirts featuring Testudo memes. There’s plenty of other stuff, too, like bobbleheads, beanies, scarves and even capes. Be on the lookout for emails promoting a giveaway, and get to the stadium on time: Those freebies won’t be around forever.

the fan experience

The crowd: At any Maryland sports game, whether it’s against a hated Big Ten rival or an uninspiring mid-major foe, you’ll be among a boisterous crowd that isn’t afraid to get in on the action. From chants and songs to creative signs and coordinated antics, everything goes when the Terps are playing. It’s deafening, it’s vulgar and it’s among the best things you’ll experience here.

The flash mobs: Since 2011, one Maryland men’s basketball game a year has featured a flash mob. You’ve probably seen the videos before: The entire arena is in sync, wearing the same thing and moving the same way as the music pounds. Get to the game a couple hours beforehand to learn the choreography and you can take part in this experience.

The Maryland flag: If you start to hear the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey, you’re about to take part in maybe the best tradition Maryland has to o er. During home games for football and men’s basketball, a massive Maryland flag is unfurled across the student section. When it comes to you, do your part for Maryland pride - hold it up and pass it along. (And don’t worry — it won’t be there too long.)

ence that’s

to beat.

how

BIKING BASICS

By Auzinea Bacon

WHERE CAN I PARK?

This university’s DOTS offers uncovered and covered parking around campus. Your best bet is to check out the online campus map and see what’s available. All the red dots represent bike racks scattered around the campus, such as outside of academic buildings and dorms. Bike racks can be found anywhere from South Campus, near Van Munching, to as far as Xfinity Center on North Campus. Don’t worry, they’re all free.

Since Maryland weather can be unpredictable, take note of the covered bike parking spaces around campus. There aren’t as many covered bike racks, but there are a few scattered around. You can find covered bike parking at the Mowatt and Union Lane garages and academic buildings, such as the chemistry and architecture buildings. If you live in a dorm, you may have access to one in your building. For example, Oakland and Prince Frederick halls have indoor bike rooms for students who live there.

WHAT IF MY BIKE NEEDS A REPAIR?

There are six bike repair stations across the campus, including the Mowatt Lane Garage and Washington Quad. According to DOTS’ website, the stations have tools for basic bike maintenance, from changing a flat tire to adjusting brakes.

You can also get free repairs at the RecWell Bike Shop, located in the Jones-Hill House. If you want a repair with support from a student mechanic, you can go to the shop and get help on a service. On a first-come, first-serve basis, you can work with a mechanic in real-time. There are also independent repair opportunities if you’re comfortable working on your bike alone. You can go to the independent repair stand if a mechanic says it’s available. If you just need to borrow a tool, you can check with a mechanic.

ARE THERE BIKING SAFETY EXPECTATIONS?

It’s a good idea to wear a helmet when riding your bike. DOTS’ BikeUMD initiative recommends a helmet for anyone riding a bike. However, Maryland state law doesn’t require anyone older than 16 to wear a helmet while biking.

WHERE CAN I PUMP MY TIRES?

No worries, there are a couple of air pumps scattered throughout the campus. The pumps at A.V. Willaims and the Iribe Center are available 24/7. At McKeldin Library, you need to have a student UID to use the bike pump. You can also go to the DOTS o ce in Regents Drive Garage, the Maryland Adventure Program desk or the RecWell Bike Shop to pump your tires.

DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER YOUR BIKE

If you ride a bike around campus, you’re required to register your bike through the BIke Index, according to the DOTS website. It’s free, and as long as you have a UID, you can register your bike. This comes with some benefits, too:

• If you ever need your locks cut, you can have it done for free.

• If your bike goes missing, you’ll have a registration number to help track it down.

• If your bike is relocated by DOTS, or is at risk of being relocated, you’ll be notified.

• You’ll automatically get updates on campus bike events, amenities, policy changes and safety issues.

Scooter BASICS

Ever since fall 2019 when the University of Maryland made a partnership with Veo, scooters have become much more common on campus. If you want to ride the trend and start using these small electric vehicles, here’s what you should know.

By James Cirrone

RENT OR BUY?

It depends on how you plan to use your scooter. If you’re going to use it every once in a while to get from your dorm all the way on North Campus down to visit a friend on South Campus, then it’s more cost-e ective to find a nearby scooter and pick it up. Veo scooters are all over the campus and College Park, and they cost $1 to unlock and 32 cents per minute after that. Veo’s electric bikes cost $1 to unlock and 35 cents for every minute of use. That might seem cheap at first, but expenses can rack up quickly, especially if you use one frequently. If you’re planning to ride a scooter every day, it might make more sense to invest in buying one. There are scooters out there such as the GoTrax GXL V2 Electric Scooter that costs $349 new and potentially under $300 used.

What safety precautions do I need to take?

Scooters cannot ride on sidewalks or in crosswalks, according to the Department of Transportation Services. It’s recommended that you use bike lanes when they’re available, but if not, you can ride a scooter on the road. Because the speed limit on campus is 20 miles per hour, scooters can be driven safely on this university’s roads. And just like when riding a bike, DOTS recommends wearing a helmet when operating a scooter.

WHERE CAN I PARK MY SCOOTER?

There are tons of places on the campus to park your scooter. There’s designated parking throughout campus to park Veo scooters. However, if you have a personal scooter, you can lock it up on any of the bike racks on campus.

WHAT KIND OF LOCK SHOULD I GET?

It’s also a good idea to lock up your scooter to protect against theft. Sgt. Rosanne Hoaas from the University of Maryland Police Department said cable and chain locks are easily defeated by a pair of cutters. She recommended a U-lock for scooters used both on and o campus.

WHERE CAN I CHARGE MY SCOOTER? REGISTERING YOUR SCOOTER

Students who live on campus aren’t allowed to bring scooters into dorms for charging. Buying a scooter with a removable battery would prevent you from having to sneak your scooter around your dorm. But if your scooter doesn’t have a removable battery, it’s common to charge during a meal at outlets near bike racks.

Just like bikes, you are required to register your scooter with DOTS by Oct. 2. Thankfully, this is completely free. To register, you must bring your vehicle and present your university ID and vehicle details, including the make, model and serial number to the DOTS o ce Regents Drive Garage.

You can submit vehicle details in advance at DOTS’ website. You will be provided an ID sticker to put on your vehicle that must be visible at all times or your vehicle can receive a warning, be immobilized or may result in impoundment.

Registration lasts two academic school years, and all privately owned electric scooters and bikes must be registered beginning in the 2023-2024 academic school year, according to DOTS.

Skating guide

All skaters – roller, regular, penny, or long – have a place on campus. If you’re thinking about bringing your skates or board to campus, or skating at all, here’s what you need to know. Aside from electric skateboards and hoverboards being prohibited, this university is a skate-board-friendly environment.

By Parker Leizpig | NewsReporter | @leipzig_parker

Can I skate to class?

Skating to class is doable, but it’s best to plan your route beforehand. The university’s campus has many hills that may make going to class di cult or even a safety hazard.

Safety gear can make a new skater more comfortable with the hilly terrain, but local skater and University of Maryland alum Atem Benanzea-Fontem said falling is also part of the process as a beginner. Knowing how to fall safely and not on your arms can reduce the chance of a serious injury.

Students can usually bring their skateboards into classrooms with them rather than secure them outside like bikers and e-scooter-users do. But electric skateboards and hoverboards are prohibited in dorms.

I’m thinking about taking up skateboarding. What kind of board should I get?

First time skaters should likely start o using a traditional skateboard, as opposed to the larger shaped longboard or the smaller penny board, and getting softer wheels for the board can help users ride over cracks on pavement more easily.

A skate shop to get everything you might need to start practicing the sport is Crushed Skate Shop in Washington, D.C. Located at 1342 U St. NW, the store sells skateboards and mending products like griptape and other hardware, in addition to extra accessories such as skater-friendly footwear and apparel.

Where are good places to skate on campus?

For beginners, any of the flatground parking lots on campus can be great for practicing how to ride a board correctly.

Benanzea-Fotem recommends the space around PyonChen Hall, outside Yahentamitsi Dining Hall, in the parking lot by the public health school, on the Leonardtown basketball court, at the Shoemaker Building and at the Memorial Chapel parking lot.

What do I do if I’m having a problem with my board?

Students who live on campus aren’t allowed to bring scooters into dorms for charging. Buying a scooter with a removable battery would prevent you from having to sneak your scooter around your dorm. But if your scooter doesn’t have a removable battery, it’s common to charge during a meal at outlets near bike racks.