Secrets of the Oakland Students

              So going to this wonderful university for several years now, you would think that I would know everything that occurs on campus. Well one of the other amazing parts of Oakland University is that there are still things that surprise me, new things to do and opportunities to take advantage of. Some of these I wish I would have known my freshman year, so I have decided to help incoming freshman out by giving them an advantage I never had; a list of things on campus that most students do not know about.

Bumpers Game Room- Though most people know about it, the large game room found in the downstairs area of the Oakland Center, nobody knows that from 5-10 on Friday nights, everything is free. Video games, pool, ping pong, foosball, you name it and they have it. So why not hang out and shoot some pool for free on Friday nights?

Bear Bus- Again, most people know about it but very few people take advantage of its amazing service. Free shuttling to very popular places around campus? Sounds good to me!

Vandenberg Lounge- The lounge found on the first floor on Vandenberg hall houses a pool table that seldom gets used. Students can go to the mail desk and rent out pool supplies for free. Can you tell I play a lot of pool?

Printing- Printing can get expensive at 10 cents a page, but every semester students get 25 free prints on their Spirit card. Not only that, but Housing students get access to the Hamlin computer lab, with free printing, and Honors College students get free printing in the Honors College computer lab.

On-campus jobs- oucareerlink.com is the best website for finding on-campus employment. There are always jobs available and the application process is quick and easy. Just upload a resume and you are set!

Tutoring- Yes, everybody knows what tutoring is, but very few students realize that it is a great opportunity to do better in a class. You do not have to be failing a class to get tutoring; some students who are getting a 3.3 take it to bump it up to a 3.6 which is very helpful. It’s free and very beneficial. Plus for all those who do not know, there is a location in Vandenberg hall every Mon-Thurs. from 5pm-10pm. This means you can literally walk down from where you live and get better grades in a class people spend more than a thousand dollars to take. Mine as well do well.

Student discounts- This is the big one, because 90% of students are poor, cheap is good. This is especially true when you can get the same thing for 10%-20% less. All over the area, places, especially restaurants, give people tons of discounts if you show them your student ID. But here is the kicker, YOU HAVE TO ASK!!! Most places won’t give it to you automatically, but you always need to ask “Do OU students get a discount here?” And if a place says no, still ask the next time. Different employees will sometimes give you a discount even if the last time they told you no.