5 Tips and Tricks for Incoming Freshmen at WVU

Welcome to Mountaineer Country!

New to Morgantown? Check out our WVU Virtual New Student Orientation page for local area guides, shopping information, and collegiate inspiration from Instagram!

Don’t forget to download the free Visit Mountaineer Country Trip Planner App to easily find local hotels, restaurants, and places to stock up on school supplies.


1. Take a Walk Through Campus

If you had a prior orientation day or came with your parents to visit the University, you probably took a tour of West Virginia University’s downtown campus. However, you may not have had your schedule at the time or remember each hall name. If you have the chance before your classes start, take a stroll through either the downtown campus or Evansdale–or both–and map out your daily schedule. This is a great time to time yourself on how long it will take you to get from your dorm to class or one class to the next, as well as find a place to relax if you have downtime. If you live off-campus, this is a good time to plan your bus schedule or find the best parking spots. 

 

2. Find a Unique Spot to Relax During Down Time

The Mountainlair is the ideal spot for eating and hanging out with friends. However, if you’re someone who likes a little more peace and quiet, find a spot where you can go to clear your mind, study for your next class, or just take a break from all the noise. Some of the best spots include the downtown library, Elizabeth Moore Hall, Mountainlair Green, the back entrance steps to Woodburn Hall, or one of the new study rooms in Reynolds Hall. If you’re on Evansdale campus, the library, Evansdale Crossing, or the Student Recreation Center tend to be popular spots as well. 

 

3. Seek Balance 

Go to class. This might be an obvious tip, but as your 7 a.m. alarm goes off, it’s hard to muster the courage and avoid the temptation to stay in your warm bed. College is a mixture of social and academic activities and sometimes it’s hard to find a balance between both. Your professors and classmates hold information that is vital to your success, but there’s always more to life than being book smart. It’s important to find your happy medium so you can take in this vital information, while also getting the “college experience.” So yes, you can go out to dinner with your friends on a Monday, but don’t snooze your alarm in the morning!  

 

4. Get Connected with Student Organizations 

Mountaineers are lucky because West Virginia University is home to over 500 student organizations. Anything you can imagine from Hot Chocolate Club to club sports, if you have an interest, there’s likely to be an organization already. However, if by chance you arrive and can’t find one you’re interested in they’ll help you start your own so you can find other like-minded individuals. A good organization to start with is the “Mountaineer Maniacs,” the student section at WVU. Whether or not school spirit existed in your high school, it does here at WVU–and in a big way!  

 

5. Get Social

Follow @WestVirginiaU on all their social accounts to stay up to date on activities and events happening around campus. Following the University’s social channels is the first step in connecting with places and people. You may even find an event or a coffee shop you want to visit! Try it out and make new friends while you’re there. Whether you start with social media or you connect with classmates, never be afraid to meet new people and try new things. WVU and Mountaineer Country have so much to offer all year long. Dive in…adventure awaits! 

One extra tip, which might be the most important… No matter what, whenever you hear “Let’s Go,” be ready to yell back, “Mountaineers” at any given time. 

Don’t forget to share your move-in memories with us on social media by tagging your photos with #VisitMountaineerCountry.