Most students in State College don't have a car, and honestly, you don't need one. Between CATA's free routes and a handful of inexpensive paid options, you can get to class, downtown, and the grocery store without opening Uber or Lyft every time you need to go somewhere. Here's how to actually use it.

By now you've probably seen dozens of Penn State packing lists. They all cover the essentials: extra-long twin sheets, towels, shower shoes, laundry basket, fan, storage bins, power strips, and a small first aid kit. Those lists are great, so instead of repeating them, we're going to focus on the items you don't think you'll need—but will probably be glad you packed by October. These are the purchases that can make college life easier, reduce stress, and help you stay organized throughout the semester.

Important deadlines and dates often sneak up on us. Calendar management is a key piece of ensuring a successful college experience. At Penn State, every semester is packed with key academic, administrative, and planning milestones. Knowing these dates ahead of time, and building them into your system early, can make a huge difference in how smoothly your semester runs.

While the experience of buying season tickets has changed quite a bit over the years, the experience of going to a Penn State Football game hasn’t. From the drum major flip to the “We Are” chant to the singing of the alma mater, the student section leads the way in keeping up the exciting atmosphere.

New to Penn State this summer? Enjoying some time in Happy Valley before your senior year? Locked in a solid internship downtown? No matter the reason, if you’re sticking around this summer, things will look a little different than the hustle-and-bustle of the fall & spring semesters, but there are still plenty of activities (for all ages) in the summer.

The spring semester moves quickly, and missing key dates can create unnecessary stress. From add/drop deadlines to finals, study abroad applications, and commencement, this post breaks down the most important Penn State Spring semester dates. A little planning now can make a big difference later.

At Tierney Education, we get a lot of questions from families wondering if it’s worth having their student take a summer class elsewhere and transfer the credits back to Penn State. The short answer? It depends—but we’re here to help you navigate that decision.

Whether your student is hoping to get ahead on Gen Eds or make room in their fall schedule, understanding how Penn State evaluates and accepts transfer credits is crucial. This blog post is designed specifically for families with students already enrolled at Penn State—not full-time transfer students, but those just trying to make the most out of a summer or winter break.

Learning Spanish can be challenging, but with the right tools, success is possible. At Penn State, Spanish classes are known to be rigorous, with a fast-paced curriculum that prioritizes vocabulary, grammar, and cultural content. Since students must learn a lot of new vocabulary while mastering challenging topics like sentence construction, reading comprehension, conjugations in many tenses, and more, the fast-paced environment can be overwhelming. However, students can overcome these hurdles with effective time management and website resources. Students can develop strong language skills and gain a deeper understanding of Spanish by staying consistent and having a positive attitude.

There isn’t one “correct” way to get through college. While some students finish in three years, others take five or six. The path to graduation is unique for each person; sometimes, dropping a course can be an essential part of navigating that journey. Here are some reasons students might consider a late drop (LD).

One of the hardest parts about going to class and studying for exams in the spring is being cooped up inside and missing the gorgeous weather. Penn State’s campus is blooming in April and May, and a sunny day cures any academic ails. Taking your studies outside can not only make studying more enjoyable, it can also improve your mental health and frame of mind to conquer big exams. Here are some of the best locations on campus to do so!

Whether you are a rising senior, a thoughtful junior, a sophomore inquiring, or a freshman planning ahead--the question of graduating early crosses the desk of many Penn State students. While some worry about graduating on time, others ponder if they should finish early and weigh all the options. I was in this position asking this question since freshman year of college, and went back and forth all four years. I ended up landing on graduating early in Fall 2023, but there were many pros and cons debated and tweaks I had to make in my educational journey to get there.

While most students traditionally take classes in Fall and Spring Semesters, Penn State offers summer course options to all students. The reasons for taking a summer course vary: catching up on credits, graduating early, preferring an asynchronous format…the reasons are different for every student.

Penn State has an amazing faculty of advisors who are dedicated to helping students navigate their Penn State journey from their first day to their last. They act as resources for all things academic, but can also guide students through other challenges or questions they may have that pop up during the semester.

Being accepted to Penn State is a huge accomplishment and exciting time for students and parents. The horizon broadens, and all one can think of is the amazing four years they are going to have here at PSU. However, as time creeps closer, we as students find that we have a lot to manage and put in place before we ever step foot here--and fast. There’s matters of football tickets, housing, meal plans, roommates, and more--it feels like you always have to be one step ahead in your planning. This can be extremely overwhelming, for both students and parents.

Penn State has endless online resources and websites for academic success and making the college experience easier to navigate. But, having so much information at your fingertips can sometimes be overwhelming and overstimulating as a student. There are thousands of engaging classes to choose from at the start of a new semester, but that also comes with many steps students must take to know what they need and register successfully.

The success of your study session can often rely on where the study session is held. Penn State Libraries are perfect because there are a multitude of study spaces that allow you to find a spot that fits your needs. These recommended and not recommended spaces are ranked based on three factors: Privacy, Noise Level, and Availability of Outlets. All of these spaces can be found at the Pattee and Paterno Library (Note: the Pattee and Paterno Library is one building and the differentiations indicate which side the of the library a space is located).

Navigating the academic landscape can be challenging, especially when it comes to understanding policies that can impact your GPA and academic standing. Penn State has introduced a grade forgiveness policy that offers a helping hand to undergraduate students striving to improve their grades and, ultimately, their GPA. Here’s a simplified breakdown of what you need to know about this policy.

For many Penn State students, the task of needing to scan homework with their cell phone for uploading to Canvas is a frequent and sometimes daunting challenge. This blog post aims to shed light on an effective solution that streamlines this process, ensuring that your digital submissions are as polished as your academic efforts.