Boost Mobile Orders are convenient for Starbucks customers looking to beat the long lines. Photo courtesy of Katerina Anderson.
GIANNA CASSIN | STAFF REPORTER | gcassin@butler.edu
Life hacks are little methods that can help with managing time and doing things in a more efficient way. Being in college comes with a lot of responsibility, and these Butler-specific tips can make life on campus easier.
Life hack 1: Use the Boost App
The free Boost app lets students place mobile orders to Butler Dining services such as Starbucks, Resco and Plum Market. Gabi Mathus, a sophomore criminology and psychology major, uses the app often for convenience and time saving.
“When you’re sitting in class, and you’re just like, ‘I’m so hungry; I don’t care about this lecture anymore,’ you can just pull up the Boost app really quickly,” Mathus said. “I know I’m gonna have food immediately after I’m done with this class, and it helps me pay attention more.”
Life hack 2: Use Bluego containers
In Atherton Marketplace, BlueGo to-go containers are available for those with a Butler ID. With busy schedules, it’s not always possible to sit in the dining area to eat. These containers allow people to take food with them and eat on the go. Everyone gets three containers before having to return them, one such drop-off location being Butler Brew. In the Butler app, you can keep track of how many you have.
Life hack 3: Sign up for the Butler Dining newsletter
On the Butler Bon Appetit website, there is an option to sign up for their mailing list. Scroll down to where the page says “Subscribe to menu mail.” Add your email, and you’re done signing up! Each morning, an email is sent out detailing the comprehensive menu for Atherton Marketplace meals for the day. Rather than having to search for the menu each day, it will easily appear in your inbox.
Life hack 4: Plan out Starbucks times
The campus Starbucks can get very busy. Samantha Plumridge, a sophomore strategic communications major, keeps her Snapchat friends updated on the length of the Starbucks line. She has also identified some of the best times to go to Starbucks.
“There are certain times during the day when classes start and when classes end,” Plumridge said. “It’s either going to be really busy right before class or right after class. Typically … 15 minutes before 10:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m., those beginnings of a new hour, or right after around the 50 [minute] mark. Roughly around the half hour mark [between classes], I’ve realized it’s gonna be a lot slower because everybody’s in class.”
Life hack 5: Check RateMyProfessors
RateMyProfessors.com is a website where students from virtually any university can leave reviews for their professors. These reviews give insight to people who are thinking about taking a class from a certain professor. Ali Golden, a junior psychology and sociology major, uses the website to get an idea of how her next professors might conduct a classroom environment.
“It’s a way of giving yourself as much of a preview as you can get in terms of classes,” Golden said. “Especially as a freshman, that helped me. It’s a way to feel at least a little bit more prepared for some environment that you’ve never been in before.”
Life hack 6: Use TapRide
TapRide is a free app for those who need a ride to different locations on campus. The Dawg Ride van runs from 7:00 p.m.- 3:00 a.m. every day. If someone is unable to use the TapRide app, they can also call the BUPD non-emergency line, 317-940-2873, to request a ride. Particularly for those who need to go somewhere far at night, this app is very helpful. Especially in the cold winter months, this is a great alternative to walking.
Life hack 7: Keep an eye out for free things!
A perk of Butler is all the opportunities for free things. Particularly in regards to dining, there are many events on campus where students can find free things. Some great Instagram accounts to follow to stay updated about these sorts of things are the UPC Instagram, the Butler Orientation Instagram and Butler Bon Appetit.
From apps, smart social media usage, to strategic Starbucksing, life at Butler can be made a little less stressful.
