Surviving Colorado State University-Pueblo

“What is there to do around here?”  This is a common question for any college freshman who has moved away from home and found himself in a new and unfamiliar town.  The common answer to this question from upper classmen and alumni of Colorado State University in Pueblo is, “You have to make your own fun.”

Although this is a very helpful tip for incoming freshman, it is not entirely true.  One of the best tips for incoming college freshmen at Colorado State University Pueblo, especially regarding the question of fun, is to live in the Belmont Residence Hall.  Some students find that they don’t like the experience and move out after their first semester but it is this CSU-Pueblo alumni’s experience that students who don’t live in the dorms are less likely to be involved in other activities around campus, such as Casino Night, guest speakers (in past years these have included former punk bandleader turned political activist, Jello Biafra, and poet Maya Angelou), or Movies at the [Fountain] Plaza. 

Campus involvement is my second tip.  Nearly every major on campus has a club or organization associated with it, from the English and Psychology clubs to the Beta Beta Beta biology honor fraternity.  And if academic clubs are not what you are looking for, there are two social fraternities, Lambda Chi Alpha and Kappa Sigma, and one social sorority, Alpha Sigma Alpha, the Office of Student Activities and Residence Hall Association which are responsible for a large majority of the activities on campus, the Experiential Learning Center which organizes outdoor activities such as rock climbing, hiking, skiing and camping trips throughout the year as well as oversees the ropes course, climbing wall and intramural sports tournaments.  The Associated Students’ Government is also a good way for freshmen to get involved and meet people, as well as a resource for finding other clubs and organizations on campus that might interest them.