10 Things You Need To Know Before Coming To UC Davis

Congratulations, Aggie! Now that you’re admitted and committed, here’s a list of 10 things you need to know before coming to UC Davis so you can feel prepared and ready for your newest academic journey.

1. You don’t actually need a bike

Yup, that’s right. Contrary to popular stereotypes, you do NOT need a bike to get around Davis. The school and city are both bike-friendly, but it would be silly to assume we don’t use cars to get around too. UC Davis also has an organized bus system called ‘Unitrans’ that can help you get around the city and campus for FREE. Or you can always use what you already have, and walk!

2. You won’t notice the cow smell after awhile

If you’re a freshman about to dorm at Tercero, you’ll notice the cow smell especially prevalent on MOOve-in day (get it?). The heat in the beginning of the year facilitates the smell to spread around, but soon enough you’ll notice that you don’t mind it anymore, thanks to biology.

3. Use Google Maps to find buildings

As a freshman, Google Maps was my best friend, especially the first month of coming to campus. If you input your class’s lecture hall, you can easily follow Google Maps’ directions to walk or bike there.

4. Take advantage of Aggie Cash

Every quarter, freshmen get an allotted $200 for Aggie Cash, which is spending money for any on-campus food outside of the dining commons (DC). Don’t save yours until the very end of the year because it doesn’t carry over to the next school year. Spend it on a cup of coffee while you’re studying at Peet’s!

5. Take advantage of the food trucks

After your first quarter at UC Davis, you’ll probably be tired of the same food offered every day at the DC. The food trucks at the silo are perfect for Aggie Cash spending! Otherwise, you would not want to pay over $10 for a single-serving meal.

6. Visit the arboretum more than once

UC Davis is known for it’s beautiful arboretum that showcases unique and native species of trees and flowers, as well as a love lock bridge for couples. Make sure you go a lot in the fall and spring when it’s nice and sunny outside to get some cute Instagram-able shots!

7. Get a windproof umbrella

At UC Davis, the rainy winters are no joke with equally strong winds. When you’re on your way to class, it could be really frustrating to have your umbrella flip inside out! Make sure to avoid this happening to you by investing in a windproof, double-layered inverted umbrella.

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8. Picnic Day is fun…to an extent

Picnic Day is really overhyped. If you’re into partying, this can be an exciting, all day event for you because it’s day-gers (day ragers) galore that starts very early in the morning. But if you’re not into partying, make sure you check out what’s happening on campus, but don’t count on it to be the most fun and stimulating event you’ve ever been to.

9. Lots of restaurants are veg-friendly

UC Davis prides itself on being an environmentally friendly campus that supports “farm-to-table” meals. It’s not a surprise that a majority of the restaurants downtown and around Davis have vegan or vegetarian options!

10. Be proactive

UC Davis is a huge campus. This is a perfect opportunity to find out your interests and get involved on campus, while also meeting great people who like the same things as you. Being a proactive individual also applies to your classes which can be tough sometimes, so it’s important to recognize when you need extra help. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of the resources UC Davis has for you…you’re paying for it anyway!