The beginning of your college journey is filled with both excitement and nerves. It can be daunting to navigate your first few weeks on campus. But St. Ambrose provides the environment and resources you need to be successful and find your place. We asked upperclassmen what new and prospective students should know about SAU. Here’s what they said:
The Beehive coffee shop
The campus coffee shop, located in the Beehive, offers Starbucks and flavored energy drinks called Stingers. There are also sandwiches, muffins, croissants, and much more. Students who have a meal plan can use their Buzz Bucks to purchase food and drinks. Upperclassmen recommend not spending all your Buzz Bucks in the first two weeks. What should you buy? A recommended combo is the Golden Boy, a fruity Stinger energy drink, along with a fresh chocolate chip muffin.
The Student Success Center
The St. Ambrose Student Success Center helps with tutoring, time management, and study skills. One-on-one tutoring is available for most 100-300 level classes, and study groups and supplemental instruction are also available. Upperclassmen highly recommend using the SCC to help with all academic needs.
Club Fest
St. Ambrose has 70+ student organizations to explore. Every semester, St. Ambrose hosts Club Fest in the Rogalski Center. There, new students connect with members of different organizations and find a group they’re passionate about joining. Upperclassmen suggest checking it out, even if you’re unsure about joining a club. Going to the event alone is enough to get out of your comfort zone. And you might just find your new best friends.
Attend free events
There’s always something to do on campus. Upperclassmen recommend attending free events, like t-shirt tosses, casino nights, and bingo, to take advantage of fun campus traditions. Resident Advisors (RA) have fun community-building opportunities throughout the semester. And the Campus Activities Board (CAB) hosts events like movie nights, trivia, giveaways, trips, and games throughout the year. These events help students make friends and build their community.
Study Abroad opportunities
There's no better way to expand your world view than through Study Abroad. St. Ambrose offers a range of theology, philosophy, and communications credits through study abroad courses. Upperclassmen encourage students to explore study abroad opportunities early, as semester-long experiences can take 12-18 months to prepare for.
Athletics and fine arts
St. Ambrose has 32 varsity athletic programs, as well as band, choral ensembles, theater productions, and art studios and galleries. Upperclassmen say St. Ambrose is a great place to pursue all your passions and encourage students to stay involved in the sport they love or continue to pursue their passion for the creative arts.
Learn how you can get recruited by one of our athletic teams, or dive deeper into our fine arts community.
Regardless of athletic ability, all students can take advantage of the Wellness and Recreation Center to stay active outside the classroom. And for those who appreciate the fine arts, rather than participating, the Galvin Fine Arts Center is a great place to catch a concert or theatre performance, or peruse an art gallery. These experiences can be a great way to meet people and feel connected to campus life.
Experience it for yourself
St. Ambrose University offers a welcoming community with endless opportunities where students can feel confident stepping into college life. Schedule your visit today to experience it for yourself.
