The Ultimate Guide to Bethel
As the year begin, here's some of what you need to know to make the most of your time in North Newton.
Whether you’re a new student unsure of what Bethel College has to offer, a tried and tested senior of this school, or anywhere in between, welcome to the start of the 2024-2025 school year! This handy guide includes several practical tips, tricks, and methods to help you navigate campus life, social activities, and most importantly, fun activities for you and your friends to get the most out of your school year.
Let’s start with an obvious activity to bring students together: eating. Whether it be going to the cafeteria or finding good eating spots around town, let’s take a look at everything food-wise you have available. Firstly, it never hurts to find out what many upperclassmen refer to as “caf hacks.” Cafeteria hacks are dishes students make themselves using resources served in the cafeteria regularly. These can range from adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream to a dessert and putting it in the microwave to combining the various salad bar items with french fries to make loaded fries. Be sure to find out your friends’ or teammates’ cafeteria hacks to make fun new foods.
You should also be sure to try the various food spots across Newton and North Newton. One of the most prominent is Druber's, a donut shop found downtown open throughout the week, and every Friday night at 11 P.M. Back Alley Pizza, another local favorite, is a great dining spot with friends and serves ice cream made locally, as well as great pizza options.
For activities, it’s always a good idea to check your email or the various announcement boards around campus, including in the dorm halls, outside the cafeteria, and inside the Mantz Library. The activities are a great way to be a part of the student body and make great new experiences and friends. Some of the events even have prizes, free food, and refreshments for those who show up.
Speaking of campus activities, there are several clubs students can join. Whether you would like to join a social activist and justice club like Diversity Council (Divco), Femcore, Bethel College Community for Justice and Peace (BC CJP), or the Pride Alliance Club (PAC); or a club for creating fun campus experiences, such as the Tabletop Games Club (TTGC), the Bethel Barbecue Club (BBC), or the newly made Disc Golf Club, odds are that there will be a club for you. If not, no worries! Talk to students, gain interest in your club idea, and talk to Student Life, and you’ll be able to make your new club dreams come true.
From campus activities and Bethel traditions to downtown fun, there are plenty of ways to make your Bethel experience memorable. From these days on, how you spend and remember your college days is up to you!