As I’m sure you, or at least your parents, know Brandeis is an expensive university and in order to get the most bang for your buck during your four years here, there are some services on campus you should know about. Below you will find a list of helpful resources that are underutilized by many students on campus simply because they are uninformed. Ignorance is not bliss—educate yourself!
1. Campus Counseling Center
Take a moment to think about your intense class load, the stress of friends, significant others, your off-campus internship, not being at home, cooking your own food, and all of the other confusing experiences that come with being a full-time student. College is stressful and sometimes you just need someone to talk to. Brandeis provides a counseling service that will help you to adjust to the demands of life in and beyond college. The services are completely confidential and free for the first twelve sessions. Only 20% of the student population at Brandeis takes advantage of the counseling center; don’t let this opportunity pass you by as well. The Psychological Counseling Center is located in Mailman House at the edge of campus before crossing the Squire Bridge to the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center. If you want to find someone to talk to visit: http://www.brandeis.edu/studentaffairs/counseling/index.html
2. Nutritionist
If you’re lamenting the lack of healthy and fresh food choices at the dining halls, Laura O’Gara is here to help. As the on-campus nutritionist, Laura helps students to establish healthy eating habits that will last even after graduation. To take advantage of her free services, visit her office in the Health Center or email her at logara@brandeis.edu to make an appointment.
3. The Writing Center
The Writing Center is located in the library on the main floor and it features services that help you through all stages of the writing process. Don’t be fooled. This service is not just for freshmen taking UWS courses, but rather for anyone who needs advice on grammar, a research paper, or even the initial planning stages. You must make an appointment for this free service or arrive early to the drop-in hours in order to get a chance to meet with a writing center representative. For more information and to schedule an appointment visit: http://www.brandeis.edu/writingprogram/writingcenter/
4. Zip Cars
Do you have a car on campus? Not many of us do, so if you really need to go to Newton for that job interview, if you have an appointment in Wellesley, or you just need to get off- campus, Brandeis offers Zip Cars. Joining through Brandeis gives you a discount and it only costs 25 dollars to join! You can rent the car hourly or for the day. The Zip Cars are located right outside Public Safety. When you want to catch a ride visit:
http://www.zipcar.com/brandeis/
5. Deis Bikes
Need to get from Grad to Rabb in less than the 25 minutes it takes to walk to and from? Want to go for a leisurely bike ride? Brandeis offers Deis Bikes, a program through which students lend bikes that the university owns. There are two options when it comes to renting a Deis Bike. You can either rent a bike daily that you must return by midnight or you can rent the bike for 50 dollars for the entire semester. Prepare to peddle at: http://www.brandeis.edu/campussustainability/transportation/deisbikes/index.html
6. ICC Copy/Printing + Copy Center
If you forgot to buy more printer ink yesterday or don’t want to pay to print out that article your professor requires you to bring to class, the ICC, located near East, gives you 15 pages of black and white printing FREE with your student ID. Or, if you want to print out something polished for a school project, visit the Copy Center right outside the mailroom. They can print color copies and posters for a variety of professional needs. For more information visit: http://www.brandeis.edu/services/copycenter/services.html
7. Faculty Club
Good food on campus is hard to come by, and unless you have a kitchen, so is a home cooked meal. Not so fast! The Faculty Club is open to students from 12-2pm. The Faculty Club has a salad and a hot food bar as well as a menu of meals from which you can choose. Payment options include cash, Whocash, or points. The food is delicious and incredibly hard to pass up. Grab a couple of friends, or maybe even a professor, and meet up at the Faculty Club! It is located right behind the SCC. Grab some grub at: http://www.brandeis.edu/ces/communityevents/departments/facultyclub.html
So there you have it: Seven hidden gems in the Brandeis community that you may not have known existed. Brandeis has a hefty price tag and there is no use in not taking advantage of the awesome services provided to us!