College Park, MD 20742

(301) 405-1000

Congratulations! If you are on this page, you have or are a University of Maryland student. Read on to find out the inside scoop.

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Though College Park is a college town, it is home to some lovely hotels that parents can book a stay at when visiting their students at UMD. When considering where to stay, there are a few things for parents to consider. Some may want to stay on or close to campus, or some may want to be a little further and take advantage of the great city of Washington D.C. that is a short drive or metro away from the university. Others may be interested in hotels with more specific amenities such as free breakfast, Starbucks in the lobby, or even pet-friendly hotels. Whatever you may be looking for, College Park and D.C. have plenty of options with rates that work for everyone!

Since you will be doing this for at least four years, I recommend staying at the same brand hotel each time so you can accrue reward points. These points can earn you free nights and breakfasts. Also, compare prices online. Oddly, you can find various prices for the same hotel on different sites. You can book directly through the different hotel brands listed below or book through a website like Reservations.com, Expedia, or Hotels.com.so you can accumulate points there as well.

On or Close to Campus

If you are looking for convenience and looking to stay as close to campus as possible, there are six hotels that are less than a mile away from the University of Maryland campus!

• The Hotel at the University of Maryland – This hotel is located directly across the main entrance of campus and includes various amenities such as three restaurants, a Mynd Spa and Salon, an indoor pool, and more. This hotel also offers a shuttle to locations on or around campus. 7777 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740 Phone: (301) 277-7777
• College Park Marriott and Conference Center – Another hotel that is conveniently on the university campus, The Marriot is a hotel that offers various room types, large workspaces, a shuttle to get on or around campus, and a restaurant that houses a Starbucks. 3501 University Blvd E, Hyattsville, MD 20783 Phone: (301) 985-7300
• The Cambria College Park – Right off of campus, The Cambria is another great hotel to stay at that has a nice restaurant and is located right next to a CVS Pharmacy and an OrangeTheory Fitness. 8321 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740 Phone: (301) 595-2600
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites College Park-University Area – 9020 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740 Phone: (301) 441-8110
• Best Western Plus College Park – 8419 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740 Phone: (301) 220-0505
• TownePlace Suites College Park – The closest pet-friendly hotel to campus, located only two miles away from UMD. 9620 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740. Phone: (301) 220-900

Hotels in Washington D.C.

When visiting your student at UMD, you may want to take advantage of the nine miles proximity to the city and stay in a hotel there! There are hundreds of hotels to choose from located in the metropolitan city of Washington D.C. To take on the 30-minute ride to or from D.C. to College Park, you can utilize the Metro, Uber’s, Taxis, and buses. You can also check out Woodspring Suites in Washington D.C.

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When getting ready to go to college, you plan your dorm room, pick out classes, figure out a meal plan, etc. One aspect of college that is just as important is self-care! From getting a mani-pedi to getting your hair cut or dyed, there will be times where you need to treat yourself while taking care of yourself. While away at school, it is important to know where to go when your student is in need of a touch-up. Though they may not be regulars at these beauty salons and barbershops, students will need to go from now and then or for special occasions such as Greek formals, banquets, or interviews.

Here are some recommendations for various go-to salons and barbershops in the area. Make sure to bring your UMD ID with you because many of these establishments offer special student discounts.

Hair Salons

If your daughter is getting a haircut, you may want to know that they have the option to sell their hair online. If they are going to get their hair cut anyway, they can sell the locks that are lopped off. High-quality hair can be valued at over $500 and with so many people getting their first post-pandemic haircuts, we’ve got a price calculator.

• Alchemy Salon-Cut, coloring, styling, conditioning treatments, and extensions
• Beauty Mark– Hair, makeup, spray-tan, and brow beauty services
• Drybar– Blowouts, styling, and hair products.
• Eloquence Salon– Cut, coloring, styling, conditioning treatments, extensions, and waxes
• Kindle & Boom– Cut, coloring, styling, conditioning treatments, and extensions
• Smitten Salon– Cut, coloring, styling, conditioning treatments, and extensions
• Ulta Beauty– Hair, skin, makeup, and brow beauty services

Barbershops

• Buso Cuts– Men’s hair and beard trimming/shaving
• Main Event Barbershop- Men’s hair and beard trimming/shaving
• The Suite Barber Shop– Men’s hair and shaving
• Universal Barber Shop- Men’s hair and shaving

Nails

• Bella Lifestyle Nail Salon & Spa– Mani, pedi, waxing, eyelash services
• Kevin Nails- Mani, pedi, waxing
• Revo Nail Spa- Mani, pedi, waxing
• UM Nail Spa- Mani, pedi, waxing
• V Nail Spa- Mani, pedi, waxing

Waxing and Threading

• European Wax Center– Waxing and skin treatments
• Lady Sammy Waxing Studio– Waxing
• Mercer Beauty Lab– Threading, waxing, spray tans, and beauty services
• Skincare by Hadiyah– Waxing, eyelash services, facials

Tanning Studios

• Bananas– Tanning, hair, and waxing
• Shear Pleasure– Tanning, hair, and waxing

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You only get to be a freshman in college once, so before you go, I want to share some advice. The beginning of your first year in college is overwhelming, stressful, but most importantly exciting. Looking back, you want to have the best memories and have made the year something you will keep with you for the rest of your life.

When getting ready to go to this unfamiliar place for the first time, everyone, and I mean everyone, will want to give you some sort of advice. From your parents and grandparents to your neighbor and hair lady, people of all sorts will want to share some helpful tips and words of wisdom. Being someone who just completed their freshman year this year, here is the advice I would have given to myself:

Go in with a completely open mind. Your first year of college is a year of many firsts and it is important to give it all you got and step out of your comfort zone a bit. Freshman year is a year that allows you to leave things in the past and look completely forward at a new beginning. Many people discover who they are, who they want to be, and what they want to do with their life in these special four years. Be open to taking classes you normally would not have considered. Put yourself out there and make some new friends. Join a club or sports group. Give your first year all you got.

Stay on top of your work. It can be exciting to have so many social opportunities going on including parties, football games, and bar nights, but make sure that you are not slacking on your work. Many people fall behind, miss due dates, and miss class when there is a lot going on, but it is important to know that you are at college to learn, not to party.

Never take an 8 am class. This was the best advice given to me before I made my schedule freshman year. If you are not that much of a morning person, these early classes can be exhausting and make you want to skip class. If you can avoid the super early classes, I would recommend you do so.

Rush. Whether you know you want to be in a sorority or fraternity 100% or you have no idea anything about Greek life, give it a chance. Many people have preconceived notions that Greek life is only partying and fun, but it is so much more. Philanthropy is one of my favorite aspects of Greek life, and they make it so much fun to raise money for great causes. The best part is that the people that are in your chapter will become your closest friends and will always have your back.

Do not be afraid to ask for help. Many people struggle freshman year with the new lifestyle of college and classes. There are so many resources on campus that will help you succeed including office hours, free tutors, study groups, and more.

Keep in touch with your family. Your family will miss you so much while you’re away and Facetiming and calling them will make their day, along with yours. Calling your family makes you feel at home and is a great way to deal with that occasional homesick feeling.

Learn from your mistakes. You will make several mistakes in your first year of college; the only important part is that you learn from them and try not to make the same mistake again. Have the time of your life! Freshman year flies by and before you know it, it will be over, so make your time at UMD memorable.

Arianna Powell, UMD Intern

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Being a college student, it can be stressful to be thrifty and stay on budget throughout the semester. There can be interviews, social events, and many occasions for a new outfit. In between, living in a rental, I like to redecorate my room and living space with my roommates. Spending money at the mall, popular house décor stores, Target, or discount stores, such as Homegoods, can add up quickly.

Fortunately, I have discovered the various thrift stores located in College Park. No matter what type of item you are looking for, these stores have it. From clothes, bedroom decoration, or appliances, they have it all. Buying second-hand allows students on any budget to get everything they could possibly need for class, their living space, and professional events.

Thrifting isn’t just a hot trend right now. It’s an amazing way to stay in style while saving money. Thrifting is a fun activity to do with friends and a great way to get new clothes and items without having to spend a ton of extra money. Below are some suggestions of places to check out next time you want to go thrifting.

Ciesbd Thrift Store– Another great thrift store in College Park at very affordable prices. Though it may be a small shop, they have everything from clothes, TVs, computers, and books. This thrift store is run by the local non-profit group, Center for International Education and Small Business Development. They have a mission to provide “education, health, medical, and welfare assistance to underprivileged youth and adults”, making it a great choice in thrift shops.

Plato’s Closet– Located down Route 1, Plato’s Closet is a well-known thrift store. This chain consignment shop is great for buying clothes and accessories. They also buy clothes, but you do not get much on the dollar here.

Unique– Unique is another good choice to check out when you want to thrift. They have an array of different items and also purchase items from sellers.

Uptown Cheapskate– This is one of the best places near campus that I recommend when going thrifting! They carry major brand names and stores all college students love including Urban Outfitters, Lululemon, Free People, and many more. They have great options in clothes, jewelry, shoes, and bags, great for any occasion. In addition to selling clothes, they also buy clothes and pay cash or allow you to trade for clothes they are currently selling.

Value Village– Relatively close to campus, this thrift store has everything from clothes to dishes and appliances. This store also buys back clothes if you are looking to sell off some of the items you no longer wear.

What about donating to Thrift Stores? We know it is hard to let go of some of our childhood mementos. Smart Parent Advice shares their advice on How to Donate Stuffed Animals.

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Most college kids sleep late. It’s a well-known fact so, going out for breakfast on weekends, in particular, may not be an option. Brunch, however, is generally a good option on weekends and there are quite a few choices not far from UMD’s campus. If you can get your student out of bed early and breakfast is what you want; check out our blog Wakey, Wakey Eggs & Bakey. Below are some of our favorite brunch spots around the College Park area.

Bagel Place: This is my favorite bagel place in the area! Located right across from campus on Baltimore Avenue, they have every kind of bagel you can imagine. In addition to bagels, this brunch hotspot offers various coffee drinks, soups, pizza bagels, and more.

Busboys and Poets: This restaurant has brunch options for everyone and has so many items that are vegan and vegetarian! They have both sweet and savory items and also the classic Mimosa and Bloody Mary!

College Park Grill: On Sundays, College Park Grill has a great brunch buffet setup. Located right down Baltimore Avenue, this restaurant is a great choice for a nice Sunday brunch and at great prices. I recommend the Vanilla Brioche French Toast!

Milk and Honey: This café is more upscale compared to the other local places and located just down Baltimore Avenue! They have such unique dishes including the berries and cream French toast, lobster, egg and cheese biscuit, and the strawberry shortcake deep-fried biscuits.

The Board and Brew: This is one of my all-time favorite restaurants in College Park! This brunch hotspot has a great atmosphere, great food, and even offers board games while you dine in!

Silver Diner: If you are looking for a nice traditional diner brunch, the Silver Diner is the best in town! The chain is modeled after the classic American diner and serves everything from pancakes and waffles to avocado toast, egg benedict, and much more!

The Hall CP: This new restaurant in College Park is delicious and highly recommended. Their brunch is amazing, and they have such unique items from various egg dishes, smoothies, breakfast flatbreads, and more!

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Time for Books!

Now that our sons and daughters have settled into their dorms and are getting ready to begin classes, the reality begins. The whole reason they are at college is to learn and take classes, meaning they will need to have the necessary tools to do so, including books. Textbooks can be very expensive, so it is important to make informed decisions when picking out books to buy or rent.

There are various ways to purchase books and many different forms to choose from. From going to the bookstore on campus or purchasing books second-hand online, there are several different cost-efficient ways to get all of your students’ required materials. Considering that textbooks can cost as much as a few hundred dollars each, it is smart to check out all of your purchasing options for each book.

HaveUHeard that UMD is a member of the Open Textbook Network (OTN), an alliance of higher education institutions working to improve access, affordability, and academic success using open textbooks. Hundreds of open textbooks are available through the network’s online library that can be downloaded for no cost or printed at a low cost. UMD’s Student Government Association, in partnership with the University Library, stocks textbooks used in top enrolled courses that students can borrow for four hours at a time on a first-come, first-served basis.  UMD also has other book and material programs as part of their participation in Open Educational Resources. You can read more about saving money on books in our blog Here’s One for the Books, College Textbook Info.

The first step in book buying is to look at the course syllabus or bookstore website to see which books if any, the professor requires for class. I recommend first looking over the actual syllabus you are given because different professors for the same course may use different books or require additional reading materials. Another tip is to wait to hear what the professor has to say regarding books. Many professors have codes that allow you to view the book for free or have a free PDF version to send out to students.

After you know what books and materials you are going to need for the semester, it is time to decide where you want to get the books and in what form. Some students like to have a physical copy of the textbook to mark up and take notes, while other students prefer having a digital copy that they can take with them wherever they go. If your student prefers a book, then I suggest renting it for the semester or buying a used book if that is an option. For the majority of courses, UMD’s bookstore gives students the option to buy new, buy used, rent new, or rent used. My daughter came to find that used books were always in great condition and are sold at a significantly lower price.

Where to Buy

• UMD Bookstore-The UMD bookstore makes getting books super easy and allows you three different ways to get them. The first option they give students is to come into the bookstore and pick out the specific books they are looking for. They have a huge area on the basement floor that is dedicated solely to textbooks and class supplies. They organize the books by the department the class is in, and do so both alphabetically and numerically, making it extremely easy to grab the books you want.
• If you want to make the book-buying process even easier, you can pre-order the textbooks you want and they will be packaged together ready for you in the textbook pick-up area at the bookstore. The last option the bookstore gives you is that they will ship the books to you. This is another good option if you do not have the chance to go to the bookstore before classes.
• Facebook groups- There are many Facebook groups that are dedicated to textbook exchanges, and oftentimes students will post in their official class UMD Facebook group. Students normally sell their used books for less than what the bookstore is selling, so make sure your student looks to see if any of the books you need are being sold.
• Amazon Prime – Students can use their UMD email to get six months of Amazon Prime for free (free shipping) and then for only $50 a year. And, yes, Amazon rents too.  All rental returns are shipped for free and you will receive a notification reminding you when your book is due.
• Barnesandnoble.com – You can pick from 60, 90, or 130 days for your rental and you can extend it if needed. You will see the shipping cost after adding the book to your shopping bag and returning your rental is free.
• Chegg is popular with students for renting or buying books with free 2-day shipping over $35. And they have 21-day risk free returns in case students drop or switch classes.
• When it comes time to sell back any books that were purchased, consider the website Sellbackbooks.com. It is somewhat like how CarMax works- simply put in the ISBN number and they will give you a quote on what they are paying. The quote is valid for 7 days.

Now that your student has all of their information, let the studying begin!

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As they get closer to graduation, one of the greatest changes our students are about to experience is abandoning their shorts, t-shirts and yoga pants, as they begin to dress for success in their new roles, or as my older daughter stated, for adulting. Dressing for success can be daunting in different ways, but the one that stands out most may very well be its cost.

Dressing professionally begins with the career and internship fairs students are attending. These events require a certain dress code that needs to be followed. For the young men, this may mean a suit and tie and for the young women, while they have more options, it may mean a suit, pantsuit, skirt, and blouse, or dress. That’s not to mention shoes. All events require conservative, professional attire, and recommend you come neatly groomed and avoid distractions such as strong perfume or facial jewelry.

Most department stores will have suit(able) options. You can check Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, Dillard’s, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, and Kohls. And of course, do not rule out some of the discount department stores including TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross.  One store that I recommend is Express. Express has a large section of business wear that will not break the bank and oftentimes has sales or promotions to help even more.

As they begin to upgrade their success wardrobe, they will be happy to know that student discounts are everywhere for the asking. Students can sign up online and download the app for Student Beans which will give them discounts for food & drink, fashion, tech and mobile, health & beauty, travel, study, and more. Check out our blog Student Discounts- Money Saving Resources. A similar student discount app is Unidays.

Another good suggestion is to read our blog on Thrift Stores. They may be able to find a great outfit that fits their budget. From dresses to skirts, blouses, and even jewelry, this is an affordable way to find suitable outfits for interviewing.

Finally,  sign up online and download the Unidays app. Once your student is verified, a quick and easy process that just involves verifying your student’s university email account, it allows them to easily find out which of their favorite brands or stores offer student discounts.

Welcome to adulting.

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Dropping a class is nothing to be afraid of, but make sure you know the best time to do so. Every student will come across a class that is too difficult or too much for them. For my own daughter, Accounting was not right for her at the time she signed up. She decided to take a difficult business course along with several other classes that were challenging and had heavy workloads. She tried her hardest; she went to office hours, spoke to the professor about tips, and participated in group study sessions. After her first exam grade came back, she knew it was time to drop the class and try again at a different time. When dropping a class there are important dates and information you must keep in mind in order to make an informed decision on how to move forward.

Dropping a Class

At the University of Maryland, there is a Schedule Adjustment period that lasts the first ten business days of class in the semester. This means that students have the ability to change their course schedule freely for the first two weeks of class. Utilize this time to see if you are interested in a course or if you do not think you will have enough time to commit to a class. These two weeks are also important in that students’ positions on the waitlist are likely to change considering students will be dropping and adding classes every day.

Withdrawing From a Class

Following the Schedule Adjustment period, students will have the ability to adjust their schedule, but their drop will be marked on the student’s transcript. A mark of a “W” will be shown to indicate that they have withdrawn out of the course. Students are limited to dropping a maximum of four credits during the Drop Period This drop period will last from the end of the schedule adjustment period until the end of the tenth week of classes. The corresponding deadlines are shown on UMD’s Office of the Registrar.

One major tip for freshmen is to take advantage of Freshman Forgiveness if they need to. This policy allows freshman students to drop a course and retake it at a later point and have a higher grade be the grade that is included in their GPA. Students who have yet to complete their first 24 credits qualify for Freshman Forgiveness as well as transfer students who are in their first semester at the University of Maryland.

There are financial repercussions as well when your student drops a class. There are refunds for when students withdraw from courses, but as time goes on, the refund decreases in increments of 20% and does go down to a 0% refund. To receive a full refund, students must drop a course before classes even begin. Students can receive an 80% refund if they withdraw from a course by the end of the Schedule Adjustment Period. All deadlines can be found on the Office of the Registrar’s Page. Your student will still be fee liable for dropped courses, and it is their responsibility to know the requirements for any scholarships they have. Please check with Financial Aid if you have concerns. An academic advisor may be able to assist with some financial issues, but Financial Aid is generally between you and Student Financial Affairs.

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Eating healthy is something that takes a bit of work while on a college campus. Meal plans, rushing to and from classes and activities, budgets, the amount of burger, pizza and fast-food restaurants surrounding UMD, and, of course, late-night food runs, definitely compromise your plan to not gain the Freshman 15 and stay in shape. While it can be a little challenging, eating clean and healthy can be done!

Below are some great choices for healthy eating while in College Park.

• Casey’s Coffee– Located on Campus Drive right off of South Campus, Casey’s Coffee has so many healthy options. They have salads, wraps, smoothies, and more great food options.
• Cava– Located right on Baltimore Avenue, Cava is a Mediterranean chain that has great bowls, salads, and pita wraps.
• Saladworks– This salad place is located right in the Stamp Student Union. Students can get quick and healthy salads on the go.
• Playa Bowls– Located on Baltimore Avenue, Playa Bowls has great smoothie bowls, smoothies, and more.
• Sweetgreen– This tasty salad chain is located just down Baltimore Avenue. They have delicious salads with so many options.
• The Board and Brew– This restaurant on Baltimore Avenue is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They have unique healthy meal options and fun set up, allowing customers to play games while they dine in.
• The Spot– Located on Knox Road, this Asian Fusion has plenty of options for those trying to eat healthy. They offer sushi, poke bowls, ramen, boba tea, and more!
• Whole Foods– This organic grocery store has it all. Located on Baltimore Avenue, this market has great snacks, food, and a café section where you can eat all their healthy items.

More Tips

Plan Ahead! Planning what you eat in advance makes the worlds of a difference. Having healthy snacks and foods where you live sets you up for success and will make eating healthy an easy choice. Don’t drink your calories. Yes, I am talking about beer, wine, liquor, but I am also referring to sugary sodas, ice tea, lemonade, sports drinks, etc. Water is truly the best thirst quencher and it is so good for you. Carry a reusable water bottle everywhere, there are water bottle refill stations located all over campus.

Eat breakfast. As all students have heard since they were children, it’s the most important meal of the day. Eating breakfast will give you the energy you need for classes and can help your hunger throughout the day. Meal prep if you have a kitchen. Meal prepping allows you to control all that you are putting in your body. Going to the grocery store and buying whole foods and natural ingredients will make you feel good and keep you staying on track. And, of course, you will want to combine exercise with that healthy eating regimen. Check out our suggestions in our blog Staying Fit.

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