The Mercury Orientation 2018

Orientation 2018

Student Handbook A guide to the first year of your adventure

Illus. Jenna Cherrey

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orientation

The Mercury | May 21, 2018

Table ofContents

Editor-in-Chief Bhargav Arimilli

editor@utdmercury.com

Managing Editor Cindy Folefack managingeditor @utdmercury.com

Copy Editor Diego Alvarez

copyeditor@utdmercury.com

Graphics Editor Matt Strack

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Photo Editor Noah Whitehead

photo@utdmercury.com

News Editor Emaan Bangash

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Sports Editor William Legrone

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Life & Arts Editor Ayoung Jo life@utdmercury.com

Web Editor Bharat Arimilli

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Contributors Carolina Alvarez Madeline Ambrose Jenna Cherrey Ethan Christopher Travis Dickerson Ariana Hadden Christina Jia Chiamaka Mgboji Anna Schaeffer Ian Seamans Michael Stout Media Adviser Chad Thomas

chadthomas@utdallas.edu Mailing Address 800 West Campbell Road, SU 24 Richardson, TX 75080-0688 Newsroom Student Union, Student Media Suite SU 1.601 The Mercury is published on Mondays, at two-week intervals during the long term of The University of Texas at Dallas, except holidays and exam periods, and once every four weeks during the summer term.

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Opinions expressed in The Mercury are those of the editor, the editorial board or the writer of the article. They are not necessarily the view of the UTD administration, the Board of Regents or the Student Media Operating Board.

The Mercury’s editors retain the right to refuse or edit any submission based on libel, malice, spelling, grammar and style, and violations of Section 54.23 (f) (1-6) of UTD policy, which can be found at policy.utdallas.edu Copyright © 2014, The University of Texas at Dallas.

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The Mercury is a proud member of both the Associated Collegiate Press and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.

3 ... Plan Your Future

14 ... Mappe of Campus

4 ... Welcome Home

16 ... Village Shoppes

5 ... Academic Allies

18 ... Local Taverns

6 ... Securing Spellbooks

20 ... Insight on Inns

8 ... Improving Intelligence

22 ... Conjuring Nourishment

9 ... Lodging in Layman’s Terms 23 ... Preventing Exhaustion 10 ... Comet Carriage

24 ... Apprenticeships

12 ... Guard Posts

25 ... Job Board

13 ... Local Shrines

26 ... Gladiator Training

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The Mercury | May 21, 2018

Plan YourFuture Use freshman year wisely

Dear Comets,

BHARGAV ARIMILLI Editor-in-Chief

Your first year at UTD will be one of your most difficult and one of your most important.

The decisions you make and habits you develop now will influence your academic careers further down the road. The fact that you’ve all chosen to attend UTD is already a good sign — you’re smart, hardworking and ambitious. Congratulations on joining the UTD community! You’re about to embark on an exciting and significant chapter in your lives.

While freshman year is certainly a time for exploration, I think it’s important to keep the bigger picture in mind. Don’t get sidetracked and lose sight of your primary purpose at UTD — to learn.

Attend lectures, ask questions and go to your professors’ office hours. Perhaps most importantly, don’t lose sight of your goals for life after graduation, whether it’s going to professional school or finding a job. Take some time now to sit down and sketch out the next few years of your college life. Be sure to take your degree plan into consideration. Though your plans will almost definitely change as you progress through college, having at least a rough idea of where you’re going will save you from stress in the future.

Throughout your time at UTD, there will inevitably be moments when you will need to ask for help. If you don’t have any idea of what you want to do after college, don’t worry. Talk to

your academic adviser or reach out to the Career Center. Talk to upperclassmen for advice or guidance. If you’re struggling with classes, make use of the academic resources offered to students.

Services such as PLTL, peer tutoring and supplemental instruction are free and I highly recommend taking advantage of them. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

As you settle into college life, remember that you’re only a freshman once. Enjoy it while you can, but also take the time to find your roots early in your college career. There are a multitude of student-run organizations that cater to a wide variety of interests. The experience, connections and friendships you gain through participating in student organizations are invaluable. If you’re considering research, find professors whose areas of expertise align with your interests. UTD makes an effort to provide research opportunities for undergraduates — something not readily found at other universities. If you’re interested in playing sports, talk to students who are active on those teams and learn more about what it’s like to balance academics and athletics. Whatever it is, find what you’re passionate about and stick with it.

There is a place for everyone at UTD. Find your niche now. Make your mark before you leave.

Warm regards, Bhargav Arimilli

Find your niche now. Make your mark before you leave.

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Welcome Home Comet community offers diverse experiences

Dear UTD Class of 2022,

ERIC CHEN Student Government President

Congratulations on your achievement thus far that has earned you admittance to the University of Texas at Dallas. Whether UTD has always been your first choice or if coming to UTD was more of a surprise for you, the fact that you are here today attending our freshman orientation speaks volumes to both your academic and extracurricular accomplishments. We are proud and honored to welcome you into our Comet family and we look forward to the ways in which you will serve and represent our university in these next years as a student.

As you explore our campus and the opportunities available to you here, many of you will start to notice that UTD is quite unlike most other universities. We’re a burgeoning UT System school edging on 28,000 students with a Division III NCAA athletics program, and one of our most competitive extracurricular programs is our chess team which consistently ranks among the top in the nation. You will find yourself quickly immersed in the incredibly diverse myriad of personalities and backgrounds that our school offers. You may just find yourself working on a group project with one of our highest-ranked chess players, rooming with the captain of our ultimate frisbee team or putting together a beehive with some of the most esteemed leaders and scholars across campus.

Adjusting to a university as diverse and unique as UTD can be challenging at times. Attending such a young university means that finding a home here on campus can mean creating an entirely new community for you and your peers to engage in. This is can be a daunting task as a freshman stepping foot in a new place. Fortunately, you are surrounded by an array of faculty, committed administrative staff and talented student leaders who are dedicated to growing both your academic career and improving your campus experience at UTD. In my brief time here, I’ve been able to find teammates who became brothers, administrators who have become both allies and mentors and a community that became family. Speaking on behalf of your student body, we don’t anticipate that your experience will be the same as ours. In fact, we are certain yours will be quite different.

Between the time that I was sitting in your very seats until now, UTD has moved entire departments into new buildings and started down paths that nobody, students and administration alike, could have foreseen. Consider this your formal invitation to find what it means to you to be a part of our Comet family, or better yet, to build something brand new here on campus. Welcome to UTD, Comets — welcome home.

Sincerely, Eric Chen

You will find yourself quickly immsered in the incredibly diverse myriad of personalities and backgrounds that our school offers.

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Academic Allies

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Find resources outside the classroom

IAN SEAMANS Mercury Staff

Regardless of whether it’s your first or final semester, you should be taking advantage of all the academic resources that are included in your tuition. If you’re having trouble in any class, want some guidance or need an accommodation, it’s easy to get help.

McDermott Library Of all the academic resources on campus, the McDermott Library may be the most useful. If you’re writing a paper and just can’t find that one source, the librarians are there to help. No matter how obscure the information, there’s probably a copy somewhere that you can get for free at the library. It even has several collections of primary source documents on site. Also, if you forgot your textbook in your dorm room, or just know you’ll only need it a couple times, the library has a collection of core textbooks that can be used within the premises. If you’d like to study with others, the library offers private rooms that can be reserved online.

Writing Center Located on the first floor of the library, the Writing Center is a part of the Student Success Center. Staff can help with everything from outlines to proofreading. Even if you’re confident in your writing, a new pair of eyes will catch things that you won’t. Their help can turn a B-grade paper into an A. Plus, some classes offer extra credit if you have your essays reviewed there before submitting it to your professors.

NOAH WHITEHEAD | PHOTO EDITOR

Academic Advising If you don’t already visit your advisor every semester, you should start now. It’s better to go over your major track with your advisor than have to take an extra semester because you missed the semester that one class is offered. Advisors will help you determine which classes you’re prepared for, recommend professors and help you manage your academic goals. Your advisors aren’t just there to help you pick classes — they’re there to make sure you succeed and get the best college experience. Some advising offices offer walk-ins, but vary on how often and when.

Peer Tutoring The Student Success Center offers a free Peer-Led Team Learning program for students taking difficult courses and many entry-level math and science classes. PLTL groups meet once a week. The PLTL leader further explains difficult concepts, answers questions, offers additional practice problems and runs drills for tests. According to the SSC, attending all the available sessions typically leads to a 0.8 GPA increase. The SSC also offers peer tutoring for students in math and science courses. There are weekly drop-in group sessions, and, if you need extra help, one-on-one appointments.

CommLab Located on the library’s third floor, the CommLab is the place to craft and perfect all of your presentations. Whether you’re presenting at a conference or for your entry level communications class, CommLab staff can give constructive criticism and advice at any stage in the speechwriting process. Their advice can also help quiet the butterflies in your stomach. They understand that most people are afraid of public speaking and they’ll help you slow down, enunciate and breathe to get through your presentation.

AccessAbility Services If you find that your college experience is made more difficult due to a documented physical, mental or sensory disability or impairment, contact the Office of Student AccessAbility. The OSA is responsible for enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act and other relevant laws and regulations. The OSA provides assistance for individuals that need a support or assistance animal or accommodations with on-campus housing, class learning, test taking and more.

CHRISTINA JIA | MERCURY STAFF

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Securing Spellbooks Textbook sites to help you save

CHIAMAKA MGBOJI Mercury Staff

When it comes to getting textbooks, there are multiple ways to do it. The campus bookstore and off-campus bookstores are more likely to carry the books your professors ask for, but they typically sell and rent for a pretty high price. Don’t worry, there are other ways to get your textbooks without breaking the bank.

Check the Library Before you look into buying your textbook, check with the McDermott Library. The library has an online database of certain textbooks you can access with your NetID. Sometimes professors require textbooks that are available to read on the database. Some professors will even reserve copies of the textbooks at the library for students to check out for two hours at a time. While the time limit can turn students away from this option, if you manage your time wisely you will be able to get your reading done. Though it may not sound like the most convenient option, the library’s resources are free and worth looking into before purchasing textbooks outright.

Renting versus Buying Owning a book has its advantages. There are no return dates to remember. If you are the type of student who needs to write notes in the margins or highlight important parts of the text, you can do so freely. When you’re done using your book, you can even get back some of your money by selling it to friends or classmates who need it. In these cases, you may be better off buying your textbook.

You may also consider keeping the book instead of selling it, as you may need to refer back to its contents in the future. However, if you’re trying to save

some money, renting is typically cheaper. You can save from just a few dollars to up to 70 percent off the retail price of the textbook. Online textbook stores such as Amazon and Chegg will pay for return shipping costs. Just be sure to be careful with your book if you rent. If you spill food or drinks on it, or even highlight too much, you will likely have to pay extra for damages. If you return the book past the deadline, you will have to pay a late fee. If you lose the book, you will certainly have to pay full price to replace the rental. Try to be careful with your rentals so you don’t end up spending money you were trying to save.

Compare Prices with Slugbooks Slugbooks.com is a site that compares prices to buy or rent textbooks across all online stores that carry them. Students can see all their choices in one place and find the cheapest or most convenient option for them. To find the book you’re looking to buy, simply enter its title or ISBN number, and Slugbooks will do the rest.

Ask a Friend Try to ask friends and acquaintances in your major about textbooks. If they’re upperclassmen, they’ve probably already taken the class you need a textbook for and might be willing to let you buy the book off them or even borrow it. This is also a good option for saving money on special editions of textbooks only sold in the campus bookstores.

Occasionally, a class will require a textbook edition you can’t find anywhere online. This is the time to ask your friends to see if any of them have bought it.

Remember, you have options! Ask your friends if they happen to own the book, head to the library or consider renting the textbook before buying it.

CHIAMAKA MGBOJI | MERCURY STAFF

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Improving Intelligence Study tips to help you succeed

EMAAN BANGASH News Editor

High school can be very different from college in terms of studying. Desperate late-night cram sessions and constant procrastination were common in high school, but rarely do well for you in college. With fewer examinations and more responsibility of your own education on your shoulders, you may need to change your study methods to be successful. Taking good notes is key to doing well in college, because you won’t have exams nearly as often, and your notes will become invaluable to you. However, mindlessly taking notes from the PowerPoint and creating a long list of information you may not even be able to decipher won’t be very useful when exams come around. Here are some note-taking methods to try.

Cornell Notes Divide the page in half and have one side for notes and another for questions and commentary. This is a helpful way to interact directly with your notes and write down questions to look up later. Your questions can often be similar to what is going to be asked on the exam.

Two-Notebook Method If you’re willing to make extra time outside of class to take notes, have two separate notebooks for each class. One notebook can be for messy notes you take during class when you’re concentrating on getting all the information down, and the other can be to organize, summarize and connect key ideas.

Visual Map Method Creating a mind map on the pages of your notes can be helpful in connecting ideas and making shorthand notes you can easily read later. Start with the main topic your professor introduces in class and work your way down to sub-topics and key points branching off from these sub-topics. Come exam time, you can condense notes on multiple topics into one map branching across a page.

Change Up Your Study Space Changing where you study can have a great impact on your memory retention, as proven in a psychological experiment conducted in 1978, in which students who studied 40 vocabulary words in two different rooms tested far better than those who studied the words twice in one room. Instead of sitting in your dorm room or bedroom and studying all day, go to the library, a coffee shop or a park and study the same material.

EMAAN BANGASH | NEWS EDITOR

Test Yourself One of the most useful ways to know whether you know the material or not is testing yourself. Try the repeating pattern of studying and then testing yourself until you fully understand the material. One way to do this is to create flashcards on Quizlet, a great way to interact with the material anywhere at any time. You don’t need to carry flashcards with you — just download the app on your phone. Rather than cramming information in your head constantly, asking yourself questions about the material means you’re understanding rather than memorizing, therefore remembering it better in the future.

Say Your Notes Out Loud

Study Your Notes Before Sleeping Reading over your notes before going to sleep can be an effective way to retain information the next morning. This doesn’t mean cram sessions the night before are necessarily the right thing to do. Instead, consider reading your notes before you sleep a few days before an exam to help you get acquainted with the material.

Another great way to test your knowledge is being able to explain the material you’re studying to someone else. You can even record yourself on a laptop camera or phone and watch yourself afterward to retain the information further. Teaching someone else and saying your notes out loud will force you to confirm what you know and don’t know by how much you are able to say about the material.

You truly know the material when you can explain it to someone without looking at your notes at all.

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Lodging in Layman’sTerms

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Ways to survive freshman housing, roommates

ANNA SCHAEFFER Mercury Staff

Freshman living spaces at UTD come in a variety of shapes and sizes. There are choices ranging from location to roommates to what color rug you choose for the bathroom floor, but every factor can influence your daily life as a student.

Residence Halls Freshmen living on campus are assigned to one of five residence halls named for their geographic locations — North, Northwest, West, South and Southwest. Another option available to freshmen is the Living Learning Community, a program in Residence Hall West that groups students based on their majors, backgrounds or interests. LLCs are open to computer science students, first generation college students and women in STEAM, among other demographic groups. West is the closest to the dining hall and Rec Center West.

Honors Students If you are entering UTD as a student in the Honors College, you may live in Residence Hall South with other honors students, such as National Merit Scholars, Terry Scholars and McDermott Scholars. You’ll have the benefit of living with students in similar classes, as well as the convenience of South being the closest to the center of campus.

Getting Along with Roommates No matter which residence hall you choose, there are certain tips and tricks that apply to any freshman living on campus. One major element of housing is the people you share it with. When registering for housing, you’ll take a survey of preferences such as your usual sleep schedule or preferred noise level to find other students with whom you’d be compatible. Once these students are matched as potential fits, it’s great to email them to figure out whether or not you would enjoy living with them. Important things to take into consideration are your schedules and cleanliness. If your roommate goes to bed at 8:30 p.m. and you like to practice your trumpet long past midnight, you might not be the ideal pairing.

It’s also helpful to discuss things like allergies, extroverted or introverted personalities and expectations for guests or large groups of visitors.

Making Dorms Feel Like Home Once you move into a living space, it makes a world of difference to add furniture and art to make your dorm your new home. The dorm rooms tend to feel institutional and sterile, so adding a large rug or a painting for the wall are good options, in addition to plants, pictures and other types of decorations.

ETHAN CHRISTOPHER | MERCURY STAFF

Dorm Appliances All freshmen are required to have a meal plan, but students can have mini-fridges and microwaves in their dorms to store food or make quick meals. If you don’t want to buy a fridge or microwave, you can rent one from the university. Costco and Walmart sell cheap mini-fridges, and sometimes graduating students or rising sophomores are willing to sell their appliances on the UTD Facebook page. However, make sure to check what is and is not allowed in the dorms. Items such as irons, waffle makers and toasters are banned as they are potential fire hazards.

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Comet Carriage Using DART to find your way around Dallas

ANNA SCHAEFFER Mercury Staff

Although Dallas’ public transit system does not operate a station on campus, there are plenty of ways to utilize its services as a UTD student.

What is DART? Dallas Area Rapid Transit operates buses and rail trains in Dallas and 12 suburbs of the metroplex. As a UTD student, you’re eligible to receive a free DART pass, so you can take the Comet Cruiser bus to the local DART station and make use of unlimited travel to downtown Dallas, DFW Airport, White Rock Lake and other popular student destinations.

Registration As long as you have a Comet Card and are registered for the current semester, you can apply for a DART student pass as soon as the semester begins. To get a pass, you’ll need to fill out the DART pass application available on the UTD Auxiliary Services webpage.

It takes around one week for your application to be processed and your pass to be issued, so be sure to plan in advance. Once your pass is ready, you can pick it up from the Parking Office in Parking Structure 3.

Routes to Take To travel into Dallas and surrounding cities, you can take the Comet Cruiser bus to the DART station at Arapho or CityLine, the two rail stations closest to campus. Comet Cruisers leave from the Activity Center and Residence Hall North at regular intervals. The full schedule is available on the Comet Cruiser website and the UTD mobile app. After taking the 10-minute bus ride to the DART station, walk across the road to the trains, which leave every few minutes. The Orange Line, which passes through Arapaho and CityLine, originates at Parker Road station and terminates at DFW Airport.

SARAH STREETY | MERCURY STAFF

Downtown Locations Here are directions to get you familiar with a few notable areas, beginning with Route 883 buses from campus to the DART CityLine Station.

• Take the Red Line to the Pearl/Arts District and spend time wandering through the Dallas Museum of Art. • Transfer from the Orange Line to the Green Line at the Pearl/Arts District station and go one stop further into Deep Ellum, where you can enjoy outdoor art and murals, browse local stores and try specialty pies, ice cream and pastries.

MICHAEL STOUT | MERCURY STAFF

• To visit the Dallas Zoo, take the Red Line to Westmoreland Station.

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Guard Posts Where to go, what to do in dangerous situations

ANNA SCHAEFFER Mercury Staff

Emergency services at UTD exist to make campus a safer place. Whether dealing with an issue that is medical, weather-related or otherwise, stay calm and remember that you are not alone.

UTD Police Available 24 hours a day and seven days a week, UTD PD officers are fully commissioned, so they have the same authority as Richardson PD officers and can be contacted in emergencies by dialing 911. For non-emergent situations, students may call 972-883-2222, which rings directly to the 911 center at UTD. University Emergency Medical Response Team The University Emergency Medical Response team focuses on direct emergency medical care.

A first-responder organization composed of EMT-certified students, UEMR has volunteers on standby every night to respond to 911 calls and provide emergency basic life support as well as first aid. Even when the Student Health Center is closed, EMTs serve the student body in cases including trauma, falls, breathing problems and more.

MADELEINE AMBROSE | MERCURY STAFF

Sexual Assault There are also services available for students who experience sexual assault. Through a partnership between Turning Point Rape Crisis Center and the Student Health Center, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner services are provided to students at no charge. The exam must be completed within the first five days of an assault occurs to preserve evidence, but the student is not required to report the assault to police in order to utilize the SANE service. More details are available on the Student Health Center website, including the hotlines for related services and information on filing a report.

Blue Light System Blue poles stationed around campus serve as emergency call boxes, or e-phones, if a student needs help. Located at strategic points throughout the campus, these phones can be utilized by any individual who clicks the emergency call button. This line connects to the 24/7 UTD PD communications center and allows students to report an emergency even if they cannot access a phone.

Weather Emergencies The Environmental Health and Safety Department handles weather emergencies, which could be anything from floods to tornadoes. A siren system alerts campus residents to emergencies, and residence halls along with most academic buildings are equipped with voice alert systems. In addition, the university will send weather-related text alerts to your registered phone number.

MADELEINE AMBROSE | MERCURY STAFF

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Local Shrines

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Relaxation spots across campus

EMAAN BANGASH News Editor

When you’re in between classes or when you have some free time, check out a few of the popular hangout spots on campus. These are some of the best places to eat, study and hang out with friends.

The Plinth Located in the heart of campus, the wooden area in between the Student Union and the McDermott Library with a fountain and large wooden steps is called the Plinth. At nearly all times of the year, students gather on the steps or sit near the fountain and eat together or spend time with one another. You’ll find clubs hosting events or selling things like posters and food. Greek organizations will often hold charity events featuring loud music, food and games. There is a Starbucks near the top of the steps of the Plinth with tables and chairs nearby. It’s a great place to hang out with friends and chat in between classes or discover new organizations and initiatives.

ARIANA HADDEN | MERCURY STAFF

The Student Union One of the busiest buildings at UTD, the Student Union is a building full of life. The lower level features ample seating space and ping-pong and pool tables. Students can make use of a variety of different board games located at the front desk. If you’re into gaming, there’s a room across the pool tables where students gather to play various tabletop games and video games on the TVs. The upper level has seating for students to eat and hang out, as well as restaurants such as Subway, Chick-Fil-A and Panda Express. For those that have meal plans, the restaurants that allow meal exchanges are Outtakes, The Pub, Subway, Za’tar, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Smash’d. On both levels, student organizations and clubs will often have booths and invite students to participate in games, buy food and drinks or donate to different charities.

ARIANA HADDEN | MERCURY STAFF

The Texas Instruments Square A peaceful space near Founders North and the Erik Jonsson Academic Center, the Texas Instruments Square, or TI Square, opened in 2016. Students come here to study, relax and hang out. The TI Square features fountains surrounded by large stone and grass steps. The trees surrounding the area make it feel very quiet and cozy, and it’s the perfect place to meet a new friend or catch up on some reading.

ARIANA HADDEN | MERCURY STAFF

The Love Jack

ARIANA HADDEN | MERCURY STAFF

A large red sculpture called the Love Jack by American modernist Jim Love stands in a small corner in the ATEC courtyard. This iconic work of art has been on campus since 1976. Here, students will often be completing art projects or sketching portraits, but it’s not nearly as crowded as the TI Square or the Plinth, so it’s great if you want to be able to focus. It’s very relaxing to sit in the grass where the Love Jack stands and study or eat. There are also tables and chairs nearby, perfect for small groups to hang out.

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Mappe ofCampus LEGEND A new and general map of the campus of the

University of Texas at Dallas published by The Mercury.

This map is designed to aid travelers during their adventures at UTD. The symbols below correspond with those on the map.

Best of luck.

LOCAL FARE (FOOD & DRINK)

TRAVELER STABLES

ARCANE LEY LINES

(VISITOR PARKING)

(CAR CHARGING STATION)

CARAVAN ROUTES (SERVICE ROADS)

RAMPARTS (SKY BRIDGES)

BUILDING ACRONYMS UNIVERSITY VILLAGES

COMMONERS’ DWELLINGS

(UNIVERSITY VILLAGE PHASES)

(UNIVERSITY COMMONS DORMS)

STABLES BY NUMBER (PARKING STRUCTURES)

PROVING GROUNDS (TESTING CENTER)

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Village Shoppes

Find off-campus entertainment spots

ARIANA HADDEN Mercury Staff

With each passing year, UTD grows in size and scope. You will also learn to navigate change. As you settle into your classes, you’ll find yourself increasingly immersed in homework and exams. You will inevitably learn to deal with the stress that comes with being a college student. However, finding spaces where you can leave the world of assignments and tests behind is essential. Here’s a selection of off-campus places where you can unwind and recharge.

Adventure Landing 17717 Coit Road, Dallas, Texas 75252 Located off Coit Road, Adventure Landing is the perfect arcade and mini golf destination for college students. There isn’t an admission fee and each attraction is paid for separately. Pricing may vary, but you can pick and choose which attractions interest you. From go-karts to arcade games and laser tag to batting cages, Adventure Landing has it all, making it a prime destination for students to let loose and have fun with friends.

ARIANA HADDEN | MERCURY STAFF

Northside Drafthouse 300 Northside Blvd., Richardson, Texas 75080 For those of you who are 21 or older, Northside Drafthouse is the closest bar to campus. Located within the Northside complex, Northside Drafthouse is not only a great spot to relax with your other “of-age” friends, but also offers amenities such as Wednesday pint nights — after which you get to take a glass home with you — as well as Friday karaoke nights. Inside the facility, you will find your typical bar games, such as darts and pool. With a closing time of 2 a.m. and a friendly bar staff, Northside Drafthouse is the ideal place to hang out with friends.

ARIANA HADDEN | MERCURY STAFF

Madness Games and Comics 300 Custer Road #310, Plano, Texas 75075 Let’s face it – UTD has a reputation for being a nerdy school. What better way to explore your nerdy side than through a comic shop? At the corner of Custer and Parker Road, Madness Games and Comics has a huge selection of board games, comics, Dungeons & Dragons supplies and merchandise. It’s easy to get lost in the aisles of eye-catching wonders, and it certainly is a fun time for comic book lovers. In addition to landing a spot on Yelp’s top 10 best comic shops in Texas list, the store also has a large area for tabletop games, so if you’re into Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh or even Magic the Gathering, stop

by Madness Games and Comics to get your comic or board game fix.

ARIANA HADDEN | MERCURY STAFF

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Continued from page 16 Alamo Drafthouse 100 S. Central Expressway #14, Richardson, Texas 75080 Everybody loves going to the movies, and people tend to love it more when the food selection consists of full meals instead of the traditional bucket of popcorn.

Alamo Drafthouse offers all of the latest movies in addition to a few older ones and has the best menu around. It is also vegan-friendly, offering items like buffalo cauliflower bites to keep you satisfied while you’re laughing, crying, or cheering for whatever flick you’re watching. While the regular menu is offered every day, Alamo has a special called Taco Tuesdays during which movie tickets are only $5.

ARIANA HADDEN | MERCURY STAFF

Escape Expert 2201 K Ave., Plano, Texas 75074 Want to test your knowledge with friends in a fun and challenging environment? Check out Escape Expert, an escape room located in Plano off K Avenue, only a few minutes from campus. Escape Expert offers different types of escape rooms to fit any occasion or genre, such as its Secret Vault room, Chase Case and Project X. You’re given a set of clues and hints in line with the overall theme and must use them to escape before time runs out. Escape Expert is the largest of its kind in the country, and costs $28 per person, though the price varies depending on the size of the group.

ARIANA HADDEN | MERCURY STAFF

Dark Hour Haunted House 701 Taylor Drive, Plano, Texas 75074 If you live for the thrill of jumpscares or other things that go bump in the night, Dark Hour is the place for you. Dark Hour is a year-round haunted house that offers monthly special themes which correspond to the time of year. For example, February’s theme is titled “Love is Blind” in honor of Valentine’s Day and features an almost completely pitch-black haunt experience with little light to help guide the way. There is also a haunt called “Wreck the Halls” during Christmastime. While haunted houses aren’t for everyone, Dark Hour offers a truly frightening experience for a reasonable price of $20 per visit.

ARIANA HADDEN | MERCURY STAFF

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Local Taverns Expand your palate at nearby restaurants

EMAAN BANGASH News Editor

When you’ve gotten tired of eating at the dining hall or some of the other establishments on campus, you can check a few of the more unique and popular restaurants off campus and enjoy something different for a change.

Kura Sushi Located on Legacy Drive about 15 minutes from campus, Kura Sushi is a unique sushi experience. The restaurant has a revolving sushi bar where you sit at a table and watch different types of sushi and desserts move by you on conveyor belts. You can even request fresh sushi of your choice on a tablet menu, and the sushi comes zooming to you on a second conveyor belt above the first. Each plate costs $2.25 and comes with two to four pieces. There are other dishes such as ramen and poke bowls. Pair the sushi with a hearty bowl of miso soup, you’ll find that you’re quite full after just a few plates. It’s cheap and a fun experience to have.

MICHAEL STOUT | MERCURY STAFF

Torchy’s Tacos Torchy’s Tacos on West Campbell Road boasts “damn good tacos,” and the phrase speaks for itself. Six minutes away from campus, this incredible Tex-Mex restaurant features tacos of all different types and meats, and even has breakfast tacos. The restaurant has vegetarian options with portobello mushrooms and avocados. While there are no vegan options, the tacos can be customized to exclude dairy or meat items. There are also various tasty sides such as queso and guacamole with chips. Each taco is about $2-5, so it’s affordable for college students.

CAROLINA ALVAREZ | MERCURY STAFF

Masala Wok If you’re craving Indian and Asian cuisine, look no further. Off West Campbell Road and a three-minute drive away from campus, Masala Wok features both Indian dishes such as curry, kabobs and biryani, as well as Asian dishes such as wok, pad thai and fried rice. The restaurant also has a full vegan menu featuring different tofu dishes and salads as well. The price range is $10-15, but you receive large, flavorful portions and get to experience different cuisines under the same roof.

MICHAEL STOUT | MERCURY STAFF

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Shady’s Burgers and Brewhaha If you want traditional American burgers and fries, Shady’s Burgers and Brewhaha is the place to go. The restaurant is around five minutes away from campus on Custer Road. Featuring a diverse menu of burgers, you can also indulge in fried foods such as fried pickles and jalapeños. They also have a black bean burger for vegetarians and vegans. Shady’s also has options other than just burgers for you to try. Cheese fries, wings and chicken nachos are some of the delicious sides available. Other meal options include fish sandwiches and chicken tacos. With a price range of $5-10, you can get your burger fix and feel good about spending less.

MICHAEL STOUT | MERCURY STAFF

Braum’s Ice Cream While this establishment is well-known for its incredible ice creams and shakes, this nostalgia-filled restaurant also sells burgers and chili and offers a breakfast menu with bagel omelets and biscuit sandwiches. There is even a small grocery section where you can get fresh milk, fruits, veggies and gallons of Braum’s amazing ice cream flavors. To satisfy your sweet tooth, check out the various sundaes, ice cream shakes and frozen snacks. The price range of Braum’s menu is around $5-10, and at two minutes away from campus on West Campbell Road, it’s the perfect place to get your ice cream fix.

MICHAEL STOUT | MERCURY STAFF

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Insight on Inns Find housing to suit your needs, preferences

CINDY FOLEFACK Managing Editor

While students aren’t given much of a choice for freshman year housing at UTD, it’s always good to be aware of the benefits and drawbacks of nearby living options. Between the dorms in University Commons and the luxury apartments at Northside, the search for affordable housing can be difficult, but this guide can help you through it.

McCallum Meadows McCallum Meadows is about 10 minutes from campus, making it perfect for students who want an affordable apartment without a long commute. All available units are less than $1000 a month, and select apartments include washers and dryers while all apartments come with high speed internet. UTD students tend to live in nearby off-campus apartments and this is no different, so don’t worry about being isolated from campus. With included reserved and covered parking, cable-ready units and high-speed internet, McCallum Meadows is great for students looking to live close to campus without breaking the bank.

MADELINE AMBROSE | MERCURY STAFF

Canyon Creek Heights Canyon Creek Heights is a great compromise for students who can’t choose between dorms and apartments. It offers the newest on-campus housing units and opened to students in the fall of 2017.

The apartments are modern, fully furnished and include utilities with rent, but unlike UV, there are no in-unit washers or dryers, which makes Canyon Creek feel more like a residence hall than an apartment complex. All Canyon Creek units come with kitchens, so students can cook their own meals, purchase a meal plan or do both. Though they are the newest of on-campus housing options, Canyon Creek apartments are also the farthest away from the main campus, so walking to campus may take a while, but you can also drive or take the Comet Cab. If you’re not quite ready to leave dorm life behind, but are still looking for a change at the end of your freshman year, Canyon Creek is the way to go.

MADELINE AMBROSE | MERCURY STAFF

University Village University Village is great for students in search of the typical college experience at a low price. The apartments range from studios to four-bedroom units, with kitchens, washers and dryers available for one- to four-bedroom apartments. Students who live in UV aren’t required to buy meal plans, which is a plus, but you’ll still have to buy a parking pass if you want to have your car on campus. While Wi-Fi and live TV streaming are included with utilities, you’ll have to buy your own furniture, as the apartments are unfurnished. UV units are also older than other on-campus living spaces, meaning you’ll most likely have to fill out work orders and wait for maintenance to complete repairs. Like other on-campus housing options, living in UV allows you to be close to your classes, clubs and UTD events.

MADELINE AMBROSE | MERCURY STAFF

Northside The closest you can get to living on campus without actually doing so is renting at Northside. These off-campus apartments are directly across the street from UTD’s Natural Science and Engineering Research Laboratory and feature luxury units with both furnished and unfurnished options. While the rent is higher than on-campus alternatives, the floor plans are more spacious. You can also grab a bite to eat at the restaurants within the complex, including Delish Bubble Tea, Chopped Halal Grill and Northside Drafthouse and Eatery. Northside offers floor plans from studios to four-bedroom apartments. Brand new units are now available in Northside 2, the latest addition to the complex. Each unit has its own kitchen, washer and dryer. While the walk to campus might take a bit longer, you will have some nice amenities.

MADELINE AMBROSE | MERCURY STAFF

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Conjuring Nourishment Eat well without breaking the bank

EMAAN BANGASH News Editor

When living in a dorm or an apartment, eating at the dining hall can get old pretty quickly. Keeping your dorm stocked up with treats and essential foods such as eggs, milk, fruits or vegetables can save you from having to skip breakfast or resort to eating ramen noodles every other day.

Here are some quick and easy foods you can make in your dorm.

Instant Mac and Cheese One of the easiest and most comforting foods to make is macaroni and cheese, but you don’t have to be Gordon Ramsay to make a good bowl of mac and cheese. In this case, your microwave is your best friend. You can buy pre-packaged Kraft mac and cheese and boil pasta in a bowl, drain it and add powdered cheese. If you’re feeling crafty, you can boil your own pasta in the microwave, stirring at two-minute intervals until the pasta is fully cooked and then add milk and different types of cheese, such as shredded cheddar and parmesan. You can even make these in an old mug or a small bowl, and it’s a quick way to make a tasty meal in about ten minutes.

Omelet in a Cup You might not have ready a stove, pots or pans, but cooking eggs doesn’t have to be restricted to the stove. You can make an omelet in a glass mug in less than five minutes. Crack some eggs into a mug and add milk to make them fluffy. Stick the mug into the microwave for one minute, then add desired toppings and microwave it for another minute. This is a simple way to avoid skipping breakfast and get that extra protein for the day.

Overnight Oats Overnight oats are great because they don’t require you to heat anything and take around five minutes of meal-prepping. Just place old-fashioned rolled oats into a bowl or cup, add fruits or sweeteners of your choice and pop it in the fridge before you sleep. In the morning, you get a delicious porridge-like bowl of healthy grains and nutrients that you can eat right out of the fridge. You can add nuts, granola, cereal, fruits, raisins, Greek yogurt and even peanut butter.

Tuna Salad Tuna salad requires a bit more meal prepping, but the outcome is worth it. Cut up carrots and celery and mix them into a bowl of canned tuna with a little mayonnaise. Canned tuna is readily available and about a dollar a can, and it’s a great way to make a five-minute meal you can make into a sandwich or eat by the spoonful.

General Advice Basic foods can be spruced up and made into something unique with a little know-how.

Instead of stocking up on cup noodles, chips and cookies, you could get crackers, oats or different yogurts and fruits. Investing in seasonings and spices such as salt, pepper, garlic powder or chili flakes can be the difference between a boring, flavorless meal and a tasty, satisfying one.

Experiment with different recipes involving basic foods such as eggs, milk, vegetables and fruits.

ETHAN CHRISTOPHER | MERCURY STAFF

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Preventing Exhaustion

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Self care necessary to avoid burnout, maintain mental health

EMAAN BANGASH News Editor

With all the assignments, projects, papers and to-dos you’ll have in college, it’ll feel like you don’t have time to even breathe. Here are some ways to pause and unwind during your day to keep you going. It’s important to be able to relax and get away from working from time to time.

Your mental health should always come first.

Skin Care Skin care is one of the easiest ways to feel relaxed. Nowadays, the surge in popularity of face masks means they’re not hard to find. Slap on a $1 sheet mask, lie in your bed and imagine you’re in a luxurious spa being pampered. Clay masks, sheet masks and peels are examples of items you can use to take care of your skin, and they’re usually quite cheap and available in almost all grocery or drug stores. Invest in a great-smelling body lotion and keep your hands moisturized. These things take as little as five minutes to do, but they’re great ways to feel like you’re taking some time for yourself and taking care of your body.

Mental Health Your thoughts have a powerful influence on your mental health. It might sound cheesy, but positive self-talk and affirmations can be helpful to keep you from succumbing to self-hate and misery. Meditation or prayer are helpful to ground yourself and stay focused in times of stress. Even your friends can greatly affect how you feel mentally, so watch out for friends who may be negative or toxic. Remember, whatever hardships you are going through, you can get through it. The UTD Student Counseling Center is free of charge for all students to use. All sessions and records of student visits are completely confidential. Services offered include individual and group counseling, coping workshops and off-campus referrals. If you need to talk to someone after-hours, the hotline 972-UTD-TALK is available 24/7.

Taking Some Time Off When it seems just too much for you to handle, step away from what you’re doing and do something else. Chill out in the Texas Instruments Square or by the Love Jack in the ATEC courtyard and enjoy the trees and greenery. If you’d rather go off campus, Canyon Creek Park and Point North Park are a five-minute drive away and are usually very quiet and peaceful.

Put on some headphones and listen to a song. Take some time and read, draw or journal in a notebook. These little distractions may seem counterintuitive, as you might feel like you’re not focusing on the task at hand and wasting time, but you’ll find that when you take small breaks, you’ll be more productive. This is helpful for both studying and working on long-term projects.

Have a Hot Drink There’s really nothing more soothing than a hot drink, especially during stressful times.

Whether you’re a tea or coffee person, or even a hot chocolate lover, sipping a hot drink helps with de-stressing and relaxing. Even just the process of making a hot drink can be a calming experience. There are different and delicious recipes on the internet for hot drinks you can make that vary beyond just regular coffee or black tea.

CAROLINA ALVAREZ | MERCURY STAFF

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Apprenticeships Avenues to effect change in the community

IAN SEAMANS Mercury Staff

College offers much more than just academic learning. It can provide opportunities to learn real-world skills and serve your community through volunteering. University and student clubs are always looking for volunteers for a wide variety of tasks. There are many organizations on campus that serve the public good, but finding one to devote your time to can be hard. The following is a list of notable UTD organizations, what they do and who might be interested in working with them.

UTD Community Garden If you had a garden at home, want to learn how to grow your own food or have always wanted a garden, the UTD Community Garden is the place for you. The gardeners welcome everyone from the most experienced to those who have never owned a plant before.

The community is close-knit, highly knowledgeable and always willing to help. Most food harvested is donated to local food pantries, and the pollinator garden serves as a haven for butterflies and bees. Once a month, garden plot holders and garden helpers get together for a work day, where they harvest, plant and do regular maintenance.

Comet Cupboard The Comet Cupboard is UTD’s own food pantry. The Cupboard takes food donations, personal hygiene products or money. If you like to organize things, you’ll enjoy volunteering here. The pantry is run by students who need people to gather donations, add them to the inventory and help students in need shop for necessary items. Even if you don’t volunteer, there are ten locations around campus for you to donate goods.

Global Medical and Dental Brigades at UTD If you’re planning on entering the healthcare industry after college, then you may find worthwhile volunteering opportunities at the Global Medical and Dental Brigades club. This organization sends volunteers to communities in Central America with poor health infrastructure to provide much-needed care. A trip to assist one of these communities can give you a sense of empathy and understanding that you can’t get by just reading statistics. If you don’t go yourself, you can participate by helping fundraise for medical supplies and future trips.

UNICEF at UTD While it typically attracts students interested in economics and politics, the UNICEF club has something for everyone. The club is the UTD chapter of the UN branch of the same name, and is aimed at eliminating or greatly reducing some of the most pressing social, political and economic issues facing society today. From poverty and hunger initiatives to gender equality and environmental sustainability, UNICEF’s goal is to effect major change in the world. The UTD chapter organizes local volunteering opportunities, charity fundraisers and advocacy for issues they’re passionate about.

CHRISTINA JIA | MERCURY STAFF

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Job Board Employment opportunities to build your resume

Career Center Located on the third floor of the CaStudent Services Building, the in beg to way t reer Center is the bes er care re preparing for your futu e Th or work you wish to do now. hcenter hosts many events throug stay can you t out the semester tha date aware of by keeping up to the with the Comet Calendar or Handshake website.

Resume Help Whether you’re jus t getting started or need help making yours better, the Career Ce nt er offers advice and help to create resumes, inc lud ing providing exam ple resumes, giving tip s for finding references and spelling and gra mmar checks — all of wh ich can be done th rough email or an in-perso n visit.

Handshake

Operated by the Ca reer Cente shake is an r, Handonline port al that lets who is hir ing for bo you see th on-cam campus w pus and off ork at full time or pa els. The p rt time lev ortal allow s you to c sonalized p reate a per rofile adju sted to you needs. It a r skill and lso allows you to see events host upco ed by the Career Cen ming as the Care ter, such er Expo or resume wo rkshops.

TRAVIS DICKERSON | MERCURY STAFF MATT STRACK | GRAPHICS EDITOR

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GladiatorTraining Compete to win glory

TRAVIS DICKERSON Mercury Staff

Club Sports Whether you’re looking for a way to get active on campus or are just looking for a fun excuse to hang out with people, club sports provide opportunities for both. Listed on the right are just a few of the club sports offered on campus that practice in both the Activity Center and out on the fields. Like the athletic sport teams, club sports also have regular practice times and game schedules, but tend to be more flexible. Most club sports do not require prior experience — just the willingness and dedication to learn the sport and have fun. Applications for most are free, though some do require you bring your own gear and attire. Anyone interested in joining a club sport can visit either OrgSync or the club sports section of the UTD website.

Fan Guide • •

• • •

All students get access to sporting events, including championships and tournaments, for free. Just have your Comet card ready at the admission booth.

Joining Comet Pride Points lets you earn rewards. All that’s required is for you to like Comet Pride Points on Facebook and visit the Pride Points booth with your Comet Card while wearing spirit gear – orange, green or any UTD memorabilia. You can rack up points and become eligible for drawings and giveaways.

If you’re looking to show off your school spirit in full, then Crush Crew is the place for you. Crush Crew is an official student cheering and spirit organization that supports baseball, soccer and basketball.

Looking for a more traditional spirit opportunity? You can try out for pep band, cheerleading or power dancing, which are always on the lookout for new members.

As always be on the lookout for Temoc, the official mascot of UTD who frequents sports events.

CHIAMAKA MGBOJI | MERCURY STAFF

MATT STRACK | GRAPHICS EDITOR

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Rugby Open to both men and women, the UTD rugby team is one of the more physically demanding club sports on campus. The game is one of the most engaging field sports out there, and both the men’s and women’s teams are close-knit communities.

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Powerlifting If you’re looking for a great way to keep a consistent workout schedule while being part of a competitive team, then look no further. The UTD powerlifting team supports lifters at all levels and participates in competitions at the local and national level.

Ultimate Frisbee Competing in tournaments and competitions in the ultimate frisbee circuit, both the men’s and women’s teams are always open to new players. The UTD team also hosts one of the largest fall tournaments, Ultimate 101, annually in October. The only requirement to join is that you bring your own cleats and shirts.

Cricket With the completion of their field last year, the UTD cricket team is always on the lookout for both new and experienced players to join.

Though they play at a competitive level, the team is open to anyone willing to put in the work. Swing by and visit the team on the field sometime. Though watching the games is free, there is a $20 fee per season to join the team.

ETHAN CHRISTOPHER | MERCURY STAFF

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