University of South Carolina-Columbia

What tips can you share with prospective students?

Live in Columbia Hall!! Gibbes Court Bistro (dining hall) is right across from you, which is especially helpful when it’s raining, freezing, or sweltering and you just want to get some food. Campus Village, Bates West, and Bates House are much too far from everything. I think it would be annoying to live in any of the residence halls that are super close to Russel House because they always have music blasting on that street. Columbia hall is in a perfect spot.

How would you describe the food and dining options?

UofSC is known for its great food! There’s so many options that I didn’t even get through them all in my freshman year. There’s drink fountains with orange fanta, lemonade, fruit punch, Pepsi, watermelon brisk, and so much more depending on the dining hall. They have a variety of cuisines to choose from with options like Halal Shack and Panda Express along with fan favorites like Panera and Chic Fil A. The dining halls also have plenty of options that are constantly changing, which I love.

In what clubs or organiziations have you participated and how have they impacted your overall experience?

I’m part of Cocky’s Canine PAALS, which is a club where members get to work with service dogs. This club has made my overall experience exponentially better! I’ve LOVED getting to hang out with the dogs. It’s something I looked forward to each week. It didn’t matter if I didn’t do well on a test or my friends were stressing me out, those dogs could make me feel better instantly. Additionally, I miss my dog at home while I’m at school, so it’s nice to have dogs to play with in the meantime. The people who signed up to be with the dogs at the same time as me have also become my really good friends, and I never would’ve met them without this club!