Collegiate Times

Before walking across the Drillfield to that first college class, freshmen should take notice of these seven tips for success at Virginia Tech.

1. Have your Hokie passport with you at all times.

Not only does it allow you to eat on campus, but if you leave your dorm without the plastic I.D., then it might be a while before you get back in.

2. Take advantage of the resources here.

There are plenty of outlets for study, research and playtime. There’s the Writing Center, Mac labs, Innovation Space, Bishop-Favrao Hall study lounge, WARE lab and the always-popular Math Emporium.

3. Learn a little bit about the history of Virginia Tech.

It makes being a student here much more enjoyable when you take pride in your university. For example, know what the eight pylons at the War Memorial are. It’s a major part of what defines the school.

4. A rain coat, rain boots and waterproofing spray are fundamental.

The spray protects items such as backpacks and purses from water damage. Also, if you can’t stand the thought of wearing rain boots, then be sure to waterproof your shoes before the weather gets the best of them.

5. Food for thought: Princeton Review ranked Virginia Tech No. 1 nationally for Best Campus Food.

From all-you-can-eat eating arenas such as D2 and Shultz to a la carte fine dining havens such as West End Market, Tech has 11 dining halls spread throughout campus.

6. At the beginning of football games,  everyone chants those three magic words, “Let’s go, Hokies!”

Simple enough, right? This thunderous chant really gets the blood flowing for the players and the fans and can often be heard across Blacksburg. As head coach Frank Beamer once said, “We provide the play, but the fans provide the atmosphere.”

7. If the song “Enter Sandman” by Metallica doesn’t give you the chills, then you should probably just transfer to UVa.

The song is played at the beginning of every home game, along with a JumboTron video montage, when the football team enters the stadium. Get on your feet, and be ready to jump.

A version of this article appeared in the Aug 23 issue of the Collegiate Times.