Freshmen at Rutgers: 5 Things to know before arriving

If you're gearing up for your first year at Rutgers, you've probably got a mix of excitement and “what-am-I-even-doing” jitters. Don’t worry—you’re not alone! Welcome to a quick survival guide to help you hit the ground running. From campus hacks to culture tips, here are the top 5 things every freshman should know before diving into life at the banks of the old Raritan.

1. 🧊 Welcome to your new home sweet home… where the air conditioning is nonexistent. Yup, most Rutgers freshman dorms don’t come equipped with AC, and that first week is gonna feel like living inside a toaster. Pro tip: bring fans—plural. Box fans in the windows are lifesavers—they’ll help cool your room quickly and keep it comfortable throughout the year. In fact, even in winter, your room might still feel hot. That’s because the heating system runs building-wide and can't be adjusted individually, so fans come in handy no matter the season.

2. 🚌 Rutgers is big. Think 5-campuses-and-a-fleet-of-buses-for-12-routes kind of big. Feeling lost during your first week is almost a rite of passage—but trust me, you'll be navigating the system like a local in no time. Before move-in, download the Passio Go app and scope out which bus stops are closest to your dorm and classes. It’ll save you serious stress. Once you arrive, use that first week to ride the buses and learn their loops. It's way better to get lost on day one than miss an exam because you hopped on the wrong line. And if you're unsure where you’re headed, just ask someone! We (students) promise we don’t bite! Click on each Rutgers bus line below to see a breakdown of its route and stops:

   1. Full Bus System Map

   2. A Route

   3. B Route

   4. BL Loop (New!)

   5. C Route

   6. EE Route

   7. F Route

   8. H Route

   9. LX Route

   10. REXB Route

   11. REXL Route

   12. Weekend 1 Route

   13. Weekend 2 Route

3. 🚗 If you're commuting to Rutgers, a little prep goes a long way. First things first: make sure you’ve got your driver’s license squared away, buy your parking permit, and figure out which lots you’re allowed to park in. Then map out the bus lines that’ll get you from your car to class on time. Heads-up: Rutgers traffic is its own beast—especially on College Ave and Route 18 during rush hours. Leave yourself plenty of buffer time, because one missed bus or a 20-minute traffic jam could mean missing a quiz you didn’t even realize was happening. Pro tip: use your summer to scout campus. Take a practice drive to figure out parking lots and where your buildings are located. You’ll thank yourself when the first day rolls around and you're gliding from lot to lecture like you’ve done it a hundred times.

4. 🍳Every Rutgers campus comes with its own set of dining options—including three main dining halls across New Brunswick. College Ave is the lone campus without a dining hall since Brower closed, but don’t worry, The Atrium steps in with swipe-friendly meals that rotate regularly. Pro tip: try studying in a dining hall. Livingston is especially clutch for this. When you swipe in, you’re good to stay as long as you like… meaning you could grab breakfast, lunch, and dinner all under 1 swipe if you camp out and hit the books (am I supposed to be saying this?). It’s efficient and delicious! Speaking of swipes, use them! People end the semester with 50+ unused ones. Try alternatives like Kilmers, Café West, or Douglass Café, where your meal swipe gets you $10 worth of goodies (up to 3 per day).

5. 🌟 Whether you’re outgoing or introverted, the Involvement Fair is an absolute must. There’s something for everyone when all 500+ cultural orgs, academic societies, sports teams, and obscure clubs take over the entire College Avenue (literally). Before attending the fair, check out GetInvolved.rutgers.edu and make a list of clubs you want to particularly visit. 

6. 🏥 Bonus Guess what? That tuition you just paid includes a health fee that covers Rutgers Student Health services. There are 3 clinics across Rutgers, Hurtado Health Center on College Ave, Busch Livingston Health Center right off of Livingston, and Cook Douglass Health Center. Call or book online to find pre-paid access to clinics, counseling, wellness programs, vaccinations, and more. Use it—it’s there for you. Your mental and physical health are just as important as—or really, more important than—your GPA.

Well, that’s it for now. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our student leaders or Rutgers alumni who are serving on staff! They’d love to show you the ropes. Welcome to Rutgers!

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The author of this post is Ethan Lim, PharmD Rutgers Class of 2024. If you have any questions about anything in this post, don’t hesitate to reach out!