Louisiana State University

Personally I Wouldn't

I lived on campus my Freshman year and then ran for the hills. I stayed in a dorm called Acadian and the older side of it was gorgeous. There was a courtyard with a beautiful fountain, Spanish design, and trees and plants with birds in them. I spent a lot of my time writing out there. However, the dorms are overpriced for what you get - communal showers and MADATORY meetings. It was all a bother. I wanted independence, fun, and the option of storing a bottle of jack in my room without being penalized - even if I don't drink. There's no real social atmosphere. Everyone has their own friends and they couldn't care less if they were drunk and sloppy outside your door at 4am. Since parking on campus is such a hassle I would give the convenience of walking to class an A+. But finding a parking spot near your dorm after having gone to the grocery store and coming back with 20 bags? So dumb. I'd rather live off of campus. A comment on the on campus apartments though. I've been in them and they are nice. You get your own bathroom or share it with another person, which is nice. But you're still under university rule. Overall, dorms get a C+ in my book...and that's generous.

Great Walking Distance Options

Before I turned my life around and started cooking my own healthy food I would run to Chimes street to grab lunch almost daily. Chimes street is a charming area five to ten minutes away from campus with a diverse spread of restaurants. Chinese Combo King is a favorite of mine since they serve legitimate healthy Chinese food. There's also Louie's - an iconic diner in the area, Sushi places, Pita Pit, Inga's Sub Shop, Buffalo Wild Wings, Canes, Menchies Frozen Yogurt, PJ's Coffeehouse, Jack in the Box, Burger King, and I'm sure some other places that I haven't noticed. I usually stuck with the healthier options: Chinese Combo King and also Alibaba (a new Greek Place). These places were all inexpensive and pretty diverse. Of course, you won't find any Ethiopian or Jamaican (my favorite) places without driving across town. No one gives student discounts, sadly. So...B-.

So-So

LSU is really trying hard nowadays, especially with all of the budget cuts going on. They just recently remodeled the Fitness Center (even though it wasn't so much in need)and it looks great. The main library, Middleton, is not anything special but it is full of great books if you look and there are a ton of computers (MACS and PCs) available. Hill Memorial Library is nice to look at but I don't go often. There are often a lot of book exhibits and things that like going on. Free speech alley is usually an interesting place to stop by and the Union is completely redone and gorgeous! Overall, there are gorgeous oak trees everywhere and the quad has a ton of stone benches that come in handy on beautiful days. LSU is definitely one of the more beautiful, lively campuses with something always going on. I gave it a B+ because I am an English major with a concentration in Creative Writing and a minor in Business Administration. They are currently building an architecturally impressive Business College but the English building is dark and dank (in a gorgeous way, of course) but the program is somewhat dead. So, B+.