10 college resources you’re already paying for (but probably not using)
Written by Jenesy Gabrielle Burkett
College can be an overwhelming time. There is so much to balance between coursework, internships, maintaining a social life and a whole host of other things. To help with the challenges college can present, universities offer many resources for students to make your time in college as successful as possible. Here are 10 of those resources that you don’t want to miss out on.
Your college may not have all of these resources, it may not have any on this list. But every college has resources and services included in the tuition and fees you pay each term. Make sure you know what your university offers so you can make the most of it.
Student food pantries
Many universities host a food pantry, which provides food assistance and resources to local communities. Humboldt State University hosts their “Oh SNAP!” pantry with shelf-stable foods and a weekly fresh produce market. Northwestern University has their “Purple Pantry” with free snacks and groceries with an option for students to request options to meet dietary restrictions. If your campus does not currently have a food pantry, you could start one. Learn more here.
Career Center
Career centers are an incredible resource to prepare yourself for the post-grad professional world. Depending on the university, career centers provide support with finding internships, jobs and fellowship opportunities. They can also help write job application materials, host career fairs and host workshops. Some universities make career center services available to both current students and alumni. Be sure to locate your career center and learn what services are available to you in and beyond your academic journey.
Writing center
Whether it’s your first year or you’re writing your thesis, many colleges have a writing center that helps students with all aspects of the writing process. From developing a coherent outline to proofreading a paper to crafting a cover letter, writing centers are a great resource included in your tuition fees.
Tutoring
Another excellent resource included in tuition fees are tutoring services. Tutoring services differ depending on the university. Some are completely free to students, and some are cheaper than off-campus tutoring services. Either way, on-campus tutoring centers offer one-on-one and group sessions for specific classes and general subjects.
Student counseling services
College can be fun and exciting. It can also bring with it a lot of difficulties. Many universities offer counseling services for students struggling with homesickness, roommate conflict, stress and anxiety around classes and so much more.
Resource centers for students with children
For students with young children, attending university presents an added challenge. To support students with children, many universities have childcare centers on campus or partner with local daycares to make childcare accessible for their students.
Student legal services
Some universities provide legal assistance for current students. In addition to providing legal representation and advice, these centers offer internships and mentorship programs for students interested in pursuing careers in law.
Resource centers for specific communities
Many universities have Queer Resource Centers, Women’s Resource Centers, Multicultural Centers, Transfer Student Resource Centers and so many more centers serving specific groups of students. These centers provide a space for students to gather with others from similar backgrounds or with similar needs. They also connect students to resources tailored to their needs as a community. These places can also be a great place to meet new friends during your time at university.
Clothing closets
To help students prepare for job interviews and internships, some universities offer professional clothing closets. Some clothing closets are special events once a term. Other closets are year-round.
Disability resource centers
Whether you identify as having a disability or not, disability resource centers offer many accommodations for a variety of student needs. These accommodations range from note-taking assistance to accessible furniture to access to alternative-format media such as audio copies of material, captioned videos, enlarged text, etc. Some disability resource centers even offer testing services to determine what services you may be eligible for.4
Note that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some university services are halted, limited or otherwise impacted. Be sure to look into student resources offered at your university and inquire directly through the relevant department.
