1 Old St. Mary’s Episcopal Church (R.E.M. Steeple)
Photo by Lesley Onstott

2 University Golf Course
Photo by Lesley Onstott

3 Clocktower in Five Points
Photo by Jim Diffly

4 Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall
Photo by Jim Diffly

5 Fine Arts Department of Th

College is an exciting time for most. Millions of freshmen are thrilled to be moving out from their parents’ nest into new environment. And why not? You get to live with your friends and make your own decisions. Here are a few general tips on making your freshman year as amazing as you always thought it would be.

Welcome, class of 2012! Last year you were the big men and women on campus, but now you’re carrying campus maps and living in the residence halls. College is supposed to be the best four years of your life, so why not start living it today? Looking back, here are some things I wish I would have known the first week of school.

In college eating late is the norm when staying up to study or just hanging out with friends. Athens has a variety of late-night eateries, and whether you prefer burgers, pizza, chicken or vegetarian, there is something for everyone. – Brittany Cofer FIVE GUYS BURGERS AND FRIES – For some of the best hamburgers, hot dogs and fries in Athens visit Five Guys.

Waiting for UGA VII Although we will always remember what a great mascot UGA VI was, it is time for the Bulldog Nation to rally behind a new figurehead. With the team facing a tough schedule and high hopes for the next season, both fans and the team will look at UGA VII for support and motivation.

Check quickly: How many credit cards are crammed into your wallet right now? We students tend to have more than is necessary. Offers are everywhere – a discount here, a discount there, all when you fill out a credit card application. I’ve even gotten an amazon.

As a rising senior who now finds himself in the position of handing out unasked-for advice to the newest members of the University community, when I reflect on my past three years here, one experience stands out as a highlight of my student career. For the second semester of my sophomore year, I went to Washington, D.

Obama right not to criticize McCain’s serviceIn response to Bill Richards’ column (“Successful strategies evade Democrats,” July 14), let me get this straight. The Democrats are not an “actual opposition party” because their front-runner dares to treat his opponent’s war record with respect instead of vitriol and cattiness? Horrors! I for one could never be galvanized into going to the polls to vote for a candidate who spends election time on anything other than converting the callous comments of General Clark into Internet detritus to be floated from Web site to Web site.

For many students, college is the first time that they have their views challenged, and virtually everyone is exposed to new ideas. I will be the first to admit that for the first 18 years of my life, I lived in a virtual bubble where I was exposed to little diversity of opinion or background.

Fifteen minutes: the amount of time allotted between classes.

Most students walk to class and manage to arrive on time. However, if your classes are on opposite ends of the campus, walking may not be the most efficient way to travel – especially in Athens’ sweltering heat.