The transition to college can be very rough on freshmen and new students, and many say “that’s just the way it is,” but the truth is that it doesn’t have to be. Idaho State University offers numerous resources for students. The trick to a not-so-rough transition is to be aware of and take advantage of the resources available.
There are a few places and things that every new student at Idaho State University should be familiar with on campus.
The first of those is the Museum Building on lower campus. The Museum Building encompasses a lot of offices that can be helpful to new students, including Financial Aid, Scholarships and Central Academic Advising.
The Financial Aid Office, located in room 337 of the Museum Building, is where students can ask any and all of their financial aid questions and turn in financial aid materials. From FAFSA to specifics about Pell Grants and loans, anything and everything related to financial aid is taken care of in this office.
Closely related to financial aid is the Scholarship office. This office, located in Museum Building room 327, is where students take care of scholarship details and have scholarship-related questions answered. The Scholarship office also keeps available scholarships posted for students to view and potentially apply for.
Central Academic Advising is housed in the Museum Building in room 307. Central Academic Advising is where most freshmen will be advised on classes, degree plans and schedules to follow until they officially declare a major and begin working with an adviser in that department. Central Academic Advising can also answer questions and direct students to other resources on campus, as well as provide you with an up-to-date Undergraduate Catalogue or other planning resources.
Advisers are key in planning an efficient and meaningful college experience, and all new students and freshmen are required to be advised in person or through an online Fundamentals of Advising and Registration (F.A.R) session before they can register for classes.
Many students may need to find the Administration Building at some point. Here you will find the cashier’s office where you pay fees and check your due balances, as well as the Human Resources Office where ISU employees turn in paperwork. Most questions about fees or payments can be directed to the cashier’s office.
After you’ve gotten finances, scheduling, and fees taken care of, you’ll need to be aware of resources available that are designed to help students thrive in classes and college-life as a whole during the semester.
Throughout campus at ISU, you can find computer labs and study areas that are there to provide you with the right environment and tools to do schoolwork. There are computer labs available to students who purchase computer accounts (this can be done on BengalWeb) in several buildings on campus, including the Pond Student Union (PSUB) and Rendezvous Buildings.
In order to gain ISU wireless internet access on your personal laptop, you must set up your account in the basement of the Business Administration Building or the Rendezvous IT desk.
In addition to computer labs, there are also tables and quiet areas to study all over campus; some popular places include areas in the Rendezvous, the PSUB, and Oboler Library.
Aside from study areas and computer access, students also have access to tutoring. The Student Success Center, located on the third floor of the Rendezvous, offers a math center and writing center for all students. Content Area Tutoring (CAT) is also offered in other course areas. Students can pick up an application or get more information from the Student Success Center office in room 323 of the Rendezvous and potentially start group sessions with a tutor. TRiO tutoring and student support is also offered for students who qualify; TRiO offices are located in the Museum Building in room 434.
Connected to the Museum Building on lower campus is the Pond Student Union Building, often referred to as the SUB. The SUB is home to an abundance of resources, including the Involvement Center, the Outdoor Adventure Center (OAC), the University Bookstore, the Games Center, and a few on campus dining selections.
If you’re looking to get involved in a club or in student government at ISU, the Involvement Center, located on the first floor of the SUB, is the best place to start. If you’re searching for outdoor activities, the OAC is a great place to get information about university-organized trips or general information about activities in Pocatello.
At the University Bookstore, you can pick up textbooks, last minute supplies, Bengal attire, and more. If you’re ever studying at one of the many tables and study areas in the SUB and need a break, you can head over to the Games Center, where you can find a bowling alley, arcade, pool tables and more.
Finally, don’t forget to buy your parking permit from the Public Safety Office before or during the first week of classes. Public Safety is located on lower campus at the corner of S. Fifth Ave. and E. Humbolt Street. Public Safety issues all parking permits for on-campus parking including housing, reserved and general permits. Without a permit, you may be ticketed.
Public Safety deals with the safety and security of the ISU campus; any concerns can be directed to their office.
With so many things to remember, sometimes the best thing to do is utilize the information desk in the SUB. The information desk can provide you with maps of campus, directions, information about campus events and much more. If you don’t know where to go or who to ask, start here. The information desk can help or guide you to help with nearly anything campus-related.
Student Card Services is right next to the information desk. This is where you get your Bengal Card or information on a Bengal Card Plus if you do not have one already.
The transition to college can really be a lot to take in, but knowing what resources are available to you and utilizing them is the start to a prosperous college career.
