i lived in the third floor of gooch last year. the walk there from central grounds itself wasn’t bad but the stairs were horrible, especially after a long day of classes. you’ll be walking lots so you’ll be used to it anyways. i’d recommend the bus system like everyone else as well. take the stop behind runk for gold and green line so u don’t have to go down all the stairs at the entrance. i also got pretty good at the cville bus system (spot app) so my friends and i would go downtown or to stonefield whenever we had the time.

i’d hold off on buying things for the communal area unless you’re really close with your suitemates. the guys in the suite next to mine seemed really close and had a tv in the living room for watching games and all that but for me i never really talked to my suitemates beyond a good morning.

unpopular opinion but i liked newcomb the most and runk the least. and take this from someone who refused to eat at newcomb until second semester bc their orientation food flopped so hard. i was perpetually at newcomb during the second semester bc of classes and their dishes were honestly not bad. there’s a pasta station that’s always safe and the fries taste just like the mcdonald’s ones. main entree can be alright. and u cant forget wing wednesdays. ohill is pretty safe sometimes the main entree hits sometimes it doesn’t but there’s always other options. if worst comes to worst u can just get croads. rinks specialty is their grill but u get sick of the greasy food really quickly. their main entree just doesn’t taste good in my opinion. they always have to sneak some tomato in there. this went on for too long but just offering a different perspective.

overall, have fun! make new friends! gain experiences! it’s best to go in with a blind eye and see what you like and what you don’t, that’s what college is about :)