Virginia State University — Local services in Petersburg

V-S-U

If you’re reading this then you’re probably wondering if Virginia State is for you. I have been here since August 2014 and I love my HBCU! How to start... well my name is Paula Wells and I am currently a second semester freshman, majoring in biology. I have to start by saying that when I moved onto campus, I instantly made friends and met many students from different organizations on the yard. I was a little homesick but everyone really made it feel like home. My freshmen week was full of activities! We had a pool party, different socials, and meet-and-greets. I made friends really quick both in my class #VSU18 and outside. When classes started I thought the events but if you find us on twitter or Instagram, you’ll find out that wasn’t the case. I know that before I moved onto campus the first thing I was curious about was the residential living. Where would I be living? Was it going to be big enough? Who would be my roommate? When I first moved onto campus I lived in Eggleston hall. It was a traditional dorm. Actually all of the freshman dorms were. When I say traditional I do mean that the buildings were built along with the school so they are old. I lived in a traditional single but it was enough room for me. I had two closets, a desk/TV stand, and bed with pull out drawers. I had more than enough space because I had basically bought about everything from home. We did have to share bathrooms/showers so that was new for me. The cleanliness of the bathrooms just depends on the communication between the girls on your floor. The dorms are co-ed. Yes boys and girls. Only one gender to each floor though. Freshman are assigned to the freshman dorms by default unless something in the residence prevents it. If you pay, you can move to the upperclassman dorms. Honestly, they are much nicer and you have your own bathroom or share with one person. I love where I stay now and the only thing that isn’t the best is the food. We do have good days but I like variety. In fact, next fall I believe that we’re getting new restaurants on campus like Chick-Fil-A and Subway. I hope my review was helpful and look forward to seeing you next semester! If you’re looking to be a part of a college family then State is the place for you. Follow me on Twitter @vanillabeanxx & IG:@...

I am a rising sophomore, biology major, from Woodbridge, VA. Virginia State has become my second home. There I have met so many people from diffferent places and backgrounds and we all had one thing in common, not skin color, but our love for VSU. Even before I stepped foot on campus as an official student I learned what real school pride was. I saw first hand what it felt like to have love for the colors and the traditions of a school and that made me fall in love with Virginia State. I also fell in love with VSU's campus feel. I had always envisioned myself living that campus life where I didnt have to bike or drive everywhere and I didnt see totally different faces everyday like I would at VCU or larger schools. It helped create a sort of comfort not walking out of the front door of my dorm into an unknown city and it also helps create a sense of family among the students.

The hardest thing your freshman year is having to go without a car. As a freshman you want so badly to do the tihngs you see the upperclassmen do and cant because you dont have a ride. Of coure you have the shuttle that takes you where you NEED to go but not always where you WANT to go. Another aspect that was hard for me to adjust to was balancing free time and work time. Some say you never get the right balance but if you get your priorities in order it shouldnt be a problem to go to a party every now and then.

The biggest advice I can give to prospective students to be yourself and find people with common goals as you. Having those people will make things so much easier, for example, staying in wont be as boring and going to the cafe wont be such a horrifying experience. Another thing is enjoy yourself. The majority of students who dont like VSU are the ones who stay in their rooms all day. Go out sometimes. Take those walks to cookout and go to the Civics because thats where you create memories and lifelong friends.

I wish incoming students the best of luck and stay true to the...