What to Do?

These are just activities that you can do while you're in Charlottesville for the summer:

http://www.flashcardmachine.com/ahs-102-test2.html

1. Hang out on the Lawn: Daily, you'll see students sunbathing, playing catch, sleeping, and doing pretty much anything you can think of on the lawn.

2. Shopping trip: Charlottesville has many shopping centers. You can take the Free Trolley to the Historic Downtown Mall, take the Northline Bus to the Barracks Road Shopping Center, or take the #7 Bus to Fashion Square Mall. You can also take the #5 Bus to the other shopping centers. ( Please refer to the post, "Getting Around in Cville" for more info and helpful hints when taking the bus or trolley.


3. Go see a movie at the Regal Downtown Mall 6! (located in the Downtown Mall)

http://libbylacesup.blogspot.com/2012/02/i-have-to-double-this-wait-whaaaaaat.html

4. Go see a Concert: The Ntelos Wireless Pavilion, also located in the Downtown Mall, hosts free concerts on Fridays during the summer. The Jefferson Theater also hosts concerts throughout the summer ( their concerts are not free, but the tickets are normally inexpensive).




5. I Scream for Ice Cream: The Corner, The Downtown Mall and the Barracks Road Shopping Center have plenty of Ice Cream Shops, and Frozen-Yogurt shops.

6. Eat: Charlottesville has plenty of restaurants that are willing to feed anyone (including the pickiest eater). Some restaurants are really expensive but the majority are inexpensive.

http://www.camryn-limo.com/prom_sports_theater.html

7. Drink Coffee: Charlottesville has many coffee shops that are better than Starbucks!

8. Work Out: The Aquatic Fitness Center ( The AFC) is a great place to sweat! They have plenty of cardio machines, weights, a hot tub, sauna, and a pool.

9. Cook/Bake: The dorm we're staying in has a kitchen, so feel free to bring some pots and pans and fry some chicken, and bake brownies! ( I will definitely bake you guys treats often)

10. Fridays After 5 on the Downtown Mall:  Free Concerts at the Ntelos Wireless Pavilion!

So, here is the most recent list (I couldn't find the 2012 list) of "Things You Should Do Before You Graduate."

You can easily do some of these this summer! Click Here for the list!

****Now, there are some things on this list that are dangerous and illegal. Therefore, this summer, we will create a list of things for you all to do during the summer! We may even have a special prize for who ever completes the list first! Be on the lookout for our list!****

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/04/0410_bschool_special_undergrad/2.htm

What you need...you know I got it

So in this blog edition, we the interns thought about things you should bring to the transition program. We recommend the things below because we have witnessed or experienced people forgetting critical essentials that were not listed in the STP letter; but some things are completely optional so do not feel obligated to bring every single item on the list.

• Laptop - though the libraries are open, it's still more convenient to have a laptop during the summer.
• Spending money - for shopping, printing, going out to eat, etc
• Quarters for laundry: $1.50 to wash/$1.50 to dry
• Laundry Detergent & bag/basket - to wash clothes
• Umbrella / rain jacket - for rain
• Light jacket / hoodie - though it's hot during the summer, the classrooms are usually freezing.
• Microwave / mini fridge - I know Dean Luedtke said that the dorms have a main fridge in the lobby, but some students may want to have their own. 
• Blankets / sheets / pillows / linen - for your bed; twin XL (The orientation site says you don't have to bring them but you must because we will be staying in different dorms than the orientation students)
• Toiletries - for obvious reasons
• Bookbag - for obvious reasons
• Snacks / food - In case you get hungry when the dining hall is not open or for late night purposes. 
• School supplies - not many, but a few for the summer class
• Printer - Optional but just a suggestion. Though you can go to the library and print off papers, you may or may not want your own printer for the summer. 
• Surge protector
• Gym clothes - In case you want to hit up one of the gyms. 
• Swim suit - In case you want to go swimming or chill in the hot tub at the AFC.
• Shower shoes and shower caddy - It's a communal bathroom.
• Insurance card - In case you have to go to student health   
• Hangers - You will need hangers to hang your clothes in the wardrobe storage compartment.
• Cell phone and charger - You would be surprised at people who actually forget this at home....
• CAMERA - got to have college memories!

If you plan on bringing a car for this summer, you need to contact the Parking and Transportation office so they can give you the prices of the parking permits. Their number: 434-924-7231.

Things you CANNOT bring:

• any pets
• halogen lamp
• incense or candles
• firearms / ammunition / firecrackers or explosives

We hope that this list helps you as you are getting ready for next month. There are probably things we forgot to mention. If so, we will add it to the list or email you. If you have a question about things to bring, do not be afraid to comment below or email us (Amber: anh3bu@virginia.edu; Erica: ere3aa@virginia.edu)

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Welcome to UVA

Hey Everyone,

First of all, Congrats on your acceptance and decision to attend THE University of Virginia. This summer you will have the opportunity to become accustomed to the University and learn how to make the most out of your college experience by participating in the Summer Transition Program (STP). You will be taking two courses this summer, one being Critical Reading, Writing, and Reasoning and the other class is one you have hopefully expressed interest in.

We the interns thought it would be a great idea to offer our advice to you prior to your arrival. Therefore, we established this blog in order to give you advice as to how to prepare for your summer experience as well as offer tips and advice on how to be a college student. We hope that you find our posts useful and helpful for STP as well as for your time at the University.

Before we start giving you advice, we wanted to let you know a little about ourselves.

Erica Elder:

Hello Class of 2016! My name is Erica Elder and I am one of the interns for the Summer Transition Program. I am an English major, and this is my last year at UVa. I am involved in many different organizations at UVa including Slavic Student Association, WUVAonline, and I am one of the Team Managers at the Student Activities Center. When I'm not studying for class, or in meetings for SSA, WUVAonline, or the SAC, I am usually playing my guitars, watching documentaries, running, baking or sleeping.

I'll be honest, and many of you may feel the same way, but I was not looking forward to taking summer classes a few weeks after I graduated high school. My plans for the summer were to spend as much time as possible with my friends and family before I left for college in August. However, I do not regret making the decision to come to UVa. The Summer Transition Program helped me with  time management, study skills, "thinking outside of the box," confidence and integrity. It was challenging, but I am thankful I was given the opportunity to be a part of this program.


Amber Hamilton:

Welcome Class of 2016!!  My name is Amber Hamilton (also known as AmHam) and I am a fourth year from Charleston, SC (yay out-of-state!).  I am a Linguistics major aspiring to attend law school in the future.  When I am not in class, I am either volunteering around Charlottesville with my brothers of Alpha Phi Omega, National Service Fraternity, or helping international scholars with their English Skills as an ESL assistant. I am also involved in OneWay Christian Fellowship and a proud member of the Cavalier Marching Band. In my spare time, I love listening to music, attending Zumba classes at the AFC, or just hanging out on the lawn.

This summer you are going to be at UVa  taking classes and learning to excel in your academics. I’ll admit it's fun as well as a drag but I promise it will help in the long run. You will have the opportunity to take two classes to boost your GPA and you will get to know what it is like to be a college student before your fellow peers arrive.  If you are an out-of-state student, or if this is your first time being far away from home, this is a great opportunity to slowly get adjusted without being overwhelmed. Erica and I are here to help you throughout the summer so do not hesitate to ask us for anything. I am very excited to meet you all come July. 

In our next blog post, we will make suggestions on what to bring for the summer as well as list a few "Things to Do" in Charlottesville.


Until next time,

Amber & Erica