There are a lot of underrated resources here at UTSA, and you need to know what they are. Your success and happiness as a student depend on it. You want to be successful and happy, don't you? Check out our top 15 here.

15. Graphics Room – Part of a student organization? The Graphics Room in UC 1.02.08 has all the materials you need to promote your activities. Supplies are available free of charge, and you can even reserve the room for a couple of hours.

14. UC Information Center – Now located in 1.002 of the University Center III, the Information Center is a great place to pick up Scantrons and Blue Books while avoiding the lines of the bookstore. On top of that, the IC is a fully functional Ticketmaster. Keep this helpful location in mind next time a concert rolls into town…after you’ve finished exams, of course.

13. Campus Technology Store – UC 1.00.46 is the place to go if you’re in need of a flash drive or a replacement power adapter for your laptop. They even have video games and whole computers for sale. Some of the deals you can find are better than most major electronic stores, so it’s worth taking a look.

12. Air Rowdy – Many students take it for granted, but the campus-wide wifi service gives you a lot of freedom. Simply log in using the same ID as your UTSA e-mail account when you start your browser and roam the internet at your leisure.

11. Short-term Parking – Parking is a hassle at UTSA. Even with an $80 Commuter Surface permit, you can still have trouble finding a spot anywhere near your intended destination. Fortunately, you can park in those fancy parking garages and pay $1.00 per hour-- ideal if you don’t spend a lot of time on campus. For instance, if you’re only on campus for two days a week for a total of 5 hours a week, you’ll only pay $75 a semester. However, a class “G” parking garage permit  would run you $300 for a year, or roughly more than $100 per semester. It’s definitely worth weighing your options when it comes to parking.

10. Printing – Chances are you’ll have to print something up during your college career, but many people don’t know that your tuition covers 200 free pages of printing on campus every semester. There is no rollover for unused prints, and if you somehow manage to use all 200 pages, it will cost 8 and 12 cents for single and double-sided prints, respectively.  If your printer is ever on the fritz, just remember that you can head to the library or one of the computer labs on campus to print out your essays and assignments.

9. Rowdy Dollars – This nifty form of currency is the result of putting money on your UTSA card, which can be done by visiting Fiscal Services or one of the many Value Stations located around campus. Once you’ve transferred funds to your card, you can use it virtually anywhere on campus, even for vending machines. Speaking of which, it’s 20 cents cheaper to buy a soda from a machine instead of from the JPL food court, but you didn’t hear that from me.

8. Health Services – By merely paying your tuition every semester, you gain access to a substantial amount of medical care. UTSA wants to keep students healthy, so Health Services, located near the rec center, provides medical check-ups, immunizations, HIV testing, counseling, condoms and over-the-counter drugs to any student that may need them. Call (210) 458-4142 to ask questions or set up appointments.

7. Databases – Unless you’ve been required to do an assignment that demands the use of the UTSA databases, you may not even know they exist. For as long as you attend UTSA, you can access these databases from anywhere. The library’s home page has links that allow you to search for articles and use the E-Journal locator; you can even limit your search results to peer-reviewed articles from scholarly sources, a must for major research projects.

6. Rec Center – All too often, students fail to realize that their tuition covers what is essentially a full gym membership. However, while UTSA's Recreation and Wellness Center does provide the facilities for sports and fitness like those of a gym, there are other perks as well. Aside from activities like rock-wall climbing, basketball, swimming and racquetball, the site offers massage therapy and classes for nutrition and health. You can even borrow camping gear at no charge. Just bring your UTSA ID card and have fun.

5. Writing Center – No matter what your major, the Writing Center is an invaluable tool for writing assignments of any kind. Visit HSS 2.02.22, HSS 3.03.08 or JPL 2.01.08 to work with a tutor, but bear in mind that they won’t help by editing or proofreading. If you don’t need help, you can still type and print out your paper. Sometimes it’s hard to find a quiet place to work, but that’s what the Writing Center is for.

4. CLEP – That's no STD, it’s the College-Level Examination Program. Basically, it’s a test you can take (for a $72 fee) that allows you to earn credit for a course you’re already familiar with. Don’t think you need to take Pre-Algebra? CLEP out of it and start taking math courses on your own level. The fee may look a bit steep, but it’s definitely cheaper than paying for a semester of a class you may not even need. Check out the CLEP website for more information.