College comes with a lot of learning, and not all of it happens in the classroom. At some point, every student must figure out where their Amazon package went, who to call when they lock themselves out of their room, and where to go when they need a break from studying.
For new Rollins College students and their families, knowing a few campus essentials can make the transition to college life a little easier. Consider this your unofficial guide to the things you might not think to ask about during orientation but will be glad you know by the end of your first semester.
Need an Appointment? Start Here
Between classes, practices, exams, and everything else college throws your way, taking care of yourself should not become another source of stress.
One of the resources all Rollins students can access through their tuition is the Wellness Center, which supports both mental and physical health. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) focuses on mental health, offering support for stress, anxiety, and other personal challenges, while Health Services helps with physical health concerns, such as illnesses, injuries, and general medical needs. Students can find information about both services through MyRollins. Keep an eye on your emails, too, since they often include appointment scheduling links.
The best time to figure out where to find these resources is before you actually need them. Save the contact information now and thank yourself later.
Your Package Is Here. Now Where Is It?
Few things are more exciting than getting a delivery notification, only to realize you have no idea where your package is waiting.
At Rollins, the first step is to make sure your campus mailbox number is included in your shipping address. Forgetting it can make the delivery process more complicated than it needs to be. Students can find their mailbox number on the home page of MyRollins under the widget labeled “Rollins Mailbox.” There is also an address that students can copy and paste to make it easier.
When your package is delivered, you will receive a notification sent to your Rollins email address with the location of your package. Packages are placed in designated lockers located at Kathleen W. Rollins Hall (KWR) and Lakeside Neighborhood. If your package is delivered to KWR, pay attention to whether it was put in the portside or starboard lockers—this will be noted in the email. If you use the entrance across from Cornell Campus Center, the portside lockers are located to the left of KWR, and the starboard lockers are located to the right. Students can also use Amazon Lockers named Wiebke, Neyo, and East Lansing.
Waiting for something too big for a locker? Oversized packages are handled through Facilities Receiving at 450 W. Fairbanks Ave. Paper mail, meanwhile, goes to the Olin Library. You can check your mailbox at the Olin Circulation desk.
If dinner is coming through DoorDash or another food delivery platform, make sure you enter the correct building when placing your order. Delivery drivers are not allowed inside campus buildings, so you will need to meet your driver outside your building to pick up your food. If your delivery driver can’t find you on campus, one of the easiest places to direct them to is the Rollins Museum of Art, as it can be put into GPS as its own address rather than just taking them to the middle of campus.
The takeaway: double-check your address when ordering food, include your mailbox number when ordering packages, and know the possible pickup locations of your packages before that delivery notification arrives. If you have any questions regarding your mail, you can email postoffice@rollins.edu.
Locked Out? Don’t Panic
It happens. You step outside for a minute, your door shuts behind you, and suddenly your R-Card is nowhere to be found.
If you lose your keys or R-Card, report the loss to the Residence Life Office (RLO) and Campus Safety. If you are locked out, contact the resident assistant (RA) on duty for help at 407-619-8459. Campus Safety is able to provide additional help if needed, and you can contact them at 407-646-2999.
While you’re at it, get familiar with the guest policy before planning a weekend visit from a friend or family member.
Roommates and suitemates must agree to hosting overnight guests. Under the policies provided by RLO, guests may stay no more than two consecutive nights within a seven-day period and no more than nine nights per month in a residential facility.
Rollins also generally requires students to live on campus for three years, or six semesters. Exemptions may apply to students who commute within 30 miles of the campus, are married, have dependents, or meet a certain age or military criteria.
Housing policies are worth checking before a problem comes up, especially if you are planning an overnight visit or considering living off campus. Students can find this information in MyRollins by searching “housing” or looking under the “Office of Residence Life (RLO)” tab.
Bringing a Car? Read This Before You Park
Having a car on campus can be convenient, but first-year students should not assume they can park wherever they find an open space.
First-year students with vehicles must park on the top level of the Truist Garage, excluding the ramp. This applies to residential students, commuters, and students with approved parking appeals. Accessible spaces are reserved for vehicles displaying a valid handicap placard or handicap license plate.
Parking rules and deadlines can change, so check MyRollins under “Campus Safety” or “Traffic and Parking Policy” before bringing your car to campus.
With many parents asking about grocery transportation, students should know that the campus shuttle to Publix is no longer available. Students should plan ahead for alternative transportation options for grocery trips.
Find Your People (and Something to Do Besides Homework)
College is about more than making it to class on time. It is also about finding the people, activities, and communities that make campus feel like home.
Not sure where to start? Follow @getinvolvedrollins on Instagram, keep an eye on flyers around campus, and check your college email for upcoming events.
At the beginning of the fall semester, look out for the Get Involved Fair, where student clubs, Greek life organizations, and intramural sports teams set up tables to share information and help students find their place on campus. It is a great opportunity to meet members, ask questions, and discover something new.
You don’t have to join every organization at the fair. Start with something that interests you, meet a few people, and see where it goes.
Common Hour is another chance to get involved, with Mills Lawn regularly hosting events, activities, and opportunities to connect with other students. Keep an eye out as you walk through campus because there is almost always something happening!
Your Guide to Surviving the Study Grind
Every student eventually needs a go-to study spot. The trick is finding one that works for you.
Need a quiet place to focus? Start with the Olin Library, which offers more than just rows of desks. Students can curl up in the Pillow Room, reserve private study rooms with whiteboards for group projects, or find a spot at one of the library’s fun tables and chairs. The higher you go, the quieter it gets, with the top floors designated as silent study spaces for when you really need to concentrate. If you are looking for a change of scenery, campus favorites include Mills Lawn (when the weather is nice) and KWR.
When you need a break from studying, there is plenty to enjoy around campus. Rollins athletic events are free for students, so keep an eye on your email for the weekly This Week in Sports update or visit RollinsSports.com to see upcoming games and events. You can also take advantage of free paddleboarding and kayaking at the Alfond Boathouse located on Lake Virginia, behind the Rollins Museum of Art and Lakeside Neighborhood.
If you are ready to get off campus, head to Park Avenue. Local coffee shops such as Barnie’s and New General are personal favorites. Be sure to ask about student discounts at local businesses—it’s a great way to explore Winter Park while saving a little money.
A Few Things to Remember
You will not figure everything out during orientation or even the first few months, and you do not need to. Save important campus contacts, read the occasional college email, search MyRollins, and ask questions when you are unsure where to go.
The best campus tips often come from other students, so do not be afraid to ask a classmate where they study, how they get involved, or where their packages end up.
College has enough surprises already. Figuring out where to pick up your mail or who to contact should not have to be one of them.
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