Campus survival · Year '23

Official · current (not Year '23)

Current · verify live

Use these for FA26 to FA27 (Fall 2026 to Fall 2027) planning. They are the source of truth. The tip sheets below are not.

• IU Bloomington official academic calendar · Registrar · FA26 to FA27 (Fall 2026 to Fall 2027) deadlines live here
• Hub: registrar.indiana.edu/official-calendar
• FA26 key dates (Fall 2026 · verify live) · Fall 2026 registration begins Mar 25, 2026 · classes begin Aug 24, 2026 · final exams Dec 14 to 18, 2026
• Orientation Bloomington · One.IU · current
• First Year Experience (FYE) · Student Life · current
• Orientation to-do checklist · IU FYE portal (login) · the campus “Jade’s Checklist” bookmark
• AP exam credit · Admissions · current
• Mental health resources · IU · current · I link out only; not medical or counseling advice
• Luddy bulletin & cognate links · on the Informatics Class of 2027 guide · current
• Residential Programs and Services · packing and hall rules change · check before you buy

Visitors guide

Archival · Year '23 (2023)

Soft map for family and friends visiting Bloomington the way I framed it around 2023. Hours, road work, and dining change. Confirm before you drive.

• Sample Gates · classic photo stop; expect crowds on football Saturdays and move-in.
• IMU (Indiana Memorial Union) · food court, bookstore, lounges, fireplace energy; easy meet-up point.
• Downtown Square · Kirkwood and the Courthouse Square for dinner; weekend evenings get busy.
• Eskenazi Museum of Art · free museum time when open; check current hours.
• Lilly Library · rare books; small bags; visitor rules matter.
• Parking · campus garages and meters fill fast on game days; leave extra time.
• Hotels · book early for Little 500, commencement, and football weekends.

Older IDS Source living guides from spring 2023 were useful snapshots. I am not linking Issuu here. Prefer current IU visit pages and your student's schedule.

Dorm notes

Archival · Year '23 (2023)

Hall vibes from tip sheets I kept around 2023. Communities, dining, and renovations move. Confirm LLC (Living-Learning Community) placement and amenities on the live RPS (Residential Programs and Services) site before you rank preferences.

• Briscoe · Near the stadium; strong C-Store reputation; Civic Leaders community; bike lockers.
• Collins · LLC energy, renovated gothic vibes, late-night café, near IMU and the Campus River.
• Eigenmann (Eigy) · Own library and computer labs; a bit secluded; walkable toward Kelley and SRSC.
• Forest · Tall building, strong dining hall; Media / Atkins LLC communities; elevators.
• McNutt · Updated C-Store and dining; spacious rooms; single-stall bathrooms on halls; Starbucks nearby.
• Read · X-shaped layout; Campus Café; music practice rooms; near Forest / Spruce / Willkie.
• Spruce · Bigger windows and rooms; kitchenettes; short walk to Forest dining.
• Teter · Luddy LLC home base; campus bus route; near Wright dining and the libraries.
• Walnut Grove · Newer hall; near McNutt dining and tailgate fields; kitchens, laundry, study rooms, elevators.
• Wells · Castle energy; historic women's hall; Goodbody Eatery; near science buildings and Mother Bear's.
• Willkie · More private-bathroom options; short walk to Forest dining and Jacobs; own C-Store.

Elevators were common in Willkie, Spruce, Forest, Read, Eigenmann, Wells, McNutt, Briscoe, Walnut Grove, Union Street, Campus View, Tulip Tree, and some centre buildings of Teter / Foster. Older halls like Wright / Ashton / Collins often meant stairs. Re-check before move-in day.

Freshman Welcome Week

Archival · Year '23 (2023)

TL;DR energy from community notes I curated in 2023 (including Reddit-era welcome threads), rewritten for a school-facing page. Move-in logistics age. Parties are not a how-to here.

• Thank your people · say it out loud on move-in day. It matters.
• Arrive with a plan · earlier arrival can dodge the worst traffic; not required.
• Dollies help · especially if your hall is elevator-light. Confirm elevators for your building.
• Floor events first · dorm / house activities beat staring at your phone all week.
• Meet people while everyone is new · introductions get harder after week two.
• Walk your class map · print or screenshot buildings before Monday panic.
• IUware · grab software from iuware when you need it; welcome week is for humans first.
• Travel in groups · leave and return with people you trust. Tell friends your plan.
• Consent is non-negotiable · if someone cannot clearly consent, stop.
• Know your limits · look out for friends; have a sober ride plan.
• Hall rules are real · you agreed to them; RAs and campus police can enforce them.

I am not publishing 2023-era tips about hiding alcohol, fake IDs, or dodging enforcement. Stay safe. Stay kind. Verify Welcome Week schedules on current IU orientation pages.

College packing list

Archival · Year '23 (2023)

Check things off here (no Google Doc copy step). Necessary / optional / prohibited lists reflect RPS (campus housing) guidance I saved around 2023. Re-read live Residential Programs and Services rules before you shop. Amp limits, TV sizes, and banned appliances change.

Necessary (Year '23 snapshot)

• Bathrobe, shower shoes, towels, washcloths
• Charging cables and a charging station
• Cleaning supplies
• Clothing hangers
• Command hooks, tacky putty, or painter's tape
• Computer or laptop
• Cups, cutlery, dishes, or mugs
• Ethernet cable (Cat 5 or Cat 6) if your building still needs it
• Extension cords and surge protectors (check housing / RPS rules)
• Extra-long twin linens, mattress cover, blankets, pillows
• Hair dryer
• Laundry detergent and basket or bag
• Personal prescription medications
• Toiletries plus a small plastic caddy
• Seasonal clothing
• Small first-aid kit
• Umbrella and rainwear
• DayQuil / NyQuil / Tylenol / Advil / Emergen-C style basics
• AA and AAA batteries
• Flashlight

Optional (Year '23 snapshot)

• Bicycle with a U-lock
• String lights (confirm fire rules)
• Coffee maker allowed by housing / RPS
• Flexible desk lamp
• Hanging closet shelves
• Microwave (amp limits apply)
• Mini fridge under housing / RPS size / amp limits
• Futon or storage cubes
• Small sewing kit
• Snacks and drinks
• Streaming stick
• TV no larger than the current housing / RPS max

Often prohibited (Year '23 snapshot · verify)

• Air conditioners unless housing / RPS medical approval
• Air fryers, crockpots, hot plates, toaster ovens
• Alcohol and alcohol containers (underage / hall policy)
• Bed risers
• Combustible liquids
• Drones, fireworks, firearms (incl. BB / paintball)
• Full-size fridges and freezers
• Grills of any type
• Halogen lamps
• Hoverboards
• Incense and burners
• Pets (unless approved)
• Portable washers / dryers / dishwashers
• Smoking devices (hookahs, vapes, e-cigs)
• Wallpaper

Jade extras people forget

• Power strip with real surge protection
• Mattress topper
• Shower caddy + shower shoes
• Reusable water bottle and grocery bag
• Umbrella that will survive Bloomington wind
• Small toolkit (screwdriver, pliers)
• Headphones for noisy halls
• Day planner you will actually open
• Command strips (not nails)
• Basic sewing kit and stain stick

Print this page or keep the tab open while you pack. Still verify Fall 2026 to Fall 2027 housing / RPS lists.

IU bucket list

Archival · Year '23 (2023)

Must-do energy from my Year '23 list. Events rename; venues stay. Pick what fits you.

• Late-night campus walk with friends
• Sing the fight song at Traditions & Spirit
• Little 500 men's and women's races
• Hike Griffy Lake
• Bloomington Farmers' Market
• Lotus World Music and Arts Festival
• Lunch along the Jordan River
• CultureFest food crawl
• Watch Breaking Away and spot campus locations
• Show or lecture at IU Auditorium
• Late-night cookies with friends
• Fourth Street international restaurants
• Fireplace hang in the IMU
• Watch the lights on the Eskenazi Museum facade
• Opera or concert at the Musical Arts Center
• Find your favourite brunch spot
• Ask a Wells librarian for research help
• Local ice cream parlor pilgrimage
• Tudor Room lunch in the IMU
• Sunrise after an all-nighter (once is enough)
• Kirkwood Observatory stars
• Homecoming Parade in IU gear
• Live music downtown
• Free movie or bowling in the IMU
• Volunteer somewhere in Bloomington
• Buskirk-Chumley Theater night
• Shake Herman B Wells's statue hand
• Face paint for basketball
• Lilly Library manuscript request
• Rose Well House at midnight (be respectful)
• Cox Arboretum study session
• Frisbee in Dunn Meadow
• Sample Gates photo
• Fun elective just because
• Holiday lights on the Square
• IU Dance Marathon
• IU Cinema screening
• Professor office hours (non-panic visit)
• Rec Sports class or intramural
• Showalter Fountain feet dip (when allowed)
• Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center visit
• Brain sculpture photo by Psychology
• B-Line Trail bike ride
• Picnic at Bryan Park
• Chalk an encouraging quote on a sidewalk
• Join a student org
• Career fair walkthrough

Tips for college

Archival · Year '23 (2023)

• Budget · track spending; use student discounts; thrift before you impulse-buy decor.
• Textbooks · rent or buy used first; confirm the edition your syllabus actually wants.
• Roommate basics · share fridge rules early; agree on quiet hours; you do not have to be best friends.
• Bathroom kit · caddy + shower shoes. Future-you will thank present-you.
• Credit load · many first semesters land around 14 to 16 credits. Ask advising before you stack hero mode.
• Office hours · go before you are drowning. Professors remember people who show up curious.
• Campus resources · tutoring, writing centre, career services, counseling. Use them.
• Storage · under-bed bins and a storage ottoman beat floor piles.
• Command strips over nails · walls have feelings (and damage bills).

Outfit ideas

Archival · Year '23 (2023)

Pack light. Bloomington weather swings. Laundry exists. Year '23 formulas, not a dress code.

• Oversized tee + leggings + sneakers
• Hoodie + sweats + slippers (hall uniform)
• Sweater + midi skirt + ankle boots
• Button-down + chinos + loafers
• Flannel + dark jeans + boots
• Denim jacket + tee dress + sneakers
• Blouse + trousers for presentations
• Rain shell + shoes you can actually walk campus in

Stick to a colour scheme, pack layers, wear your bulkiest coat on travel day. Going-out fits are your call; prioritise shoes you can walk in and a plan home.

College advice Q&A

Archival · Year '23 (2023)

• Is IU a good fit? · Large public research campus, strong academics and arts, real athletics culture. Visit if you can. Fit beats rankings vibes.
• How do I start Informatics early? · Try AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) if available, build tiny projects you can explain, ask questions in plain language. See the Class of 2027 guide.
• What should I ask on a campus visit? · Class size, advising, housing costs, mental health support, career outcomes, and what students do on a random Tuesday.
• Greek life? · Personal call. Price the dues and the time. Culture fit matters more than FOMO.
• Changing majors? · Common. Talk to advising early rather than white-knuckling a path you hate.
• Mental health? · Use official IU resources. I link them; I do not give medical or counseling advice.
• Parties? · Know your limits, travel with people you trust, look out for friends, consent always. That is the whole sermon.

Coffee shops in Bloom

Archival · Year '23 (2023)

Cafés open and close. This starter list keeps shops still findable in Bloomington (plus generic campus coffee). Ask a current student what is good now.

• Soma Coffee House & Juice Bar · Still a Bloomington staple; coffee plus juices.
• Hopscotch Coffee · Downtown specialty coffee.
• Runcible Spoon · Restaurant first, strong brunch and coffee study energy.
• Needmore Coffee Roasters · Local roast near campus.
• Rainbow Bakery · Vegan bakery with coffee and plant milks.
• Starbucks (campus area) · Familiar chain option in multiple spots.
• Campus coffee at IMU · Union options rotate (Sugar & Spice and friends) : ask a current student what is open.