College life is an exciting and transformative experience for students. At Villa Maria College, college life is tailored to help students thrive on academic and personal levels. Students benefit from becoming members of a creative, supportive, and tight-knit community. Our campus is designed to support your personal and professional growth both inside and outside of the classroom. Here, you’ll thrive academically, creatively, and socially through state-of-the-art facilities, flexible class schedules, and plenty of clubs and activities to take advantage of.
What Does a College Schedule Look Like?
College schedules are likely to be quite different from high school. For one thing, they’re far more flexible, allowing students to balance classes, personal commitments, and well-earned free time.
Classes
College classes typically run between 60 and 90 minutes each and meet either two or three times a week. On occasion, you might have a three-hour class held once a week. Students have the freedom to build their own schedule, fitting in required courses and electives as needed. For example, you can choose to take classes in the morning, afternoon, or even the evening when available. That flexibility allows you to shape your day in a way that suits your learning style and other responsibilities like work or sports.
Breaks
One of the biggest differences between high school and college is all the free time you have in between classes. Instead of going from one class to the next and so on, your college schedule will likely have a couple of hours of free time between classes. These breaks are a great way to recharge, study, or socialize. Whether you want to spend that time hitting the gym, catching up on homework, or spending time with friends, these gaps help make your day more balanced. Some students also use breaks for part-time jobs or internships to make the most of their flexible schedules.
Meals
At Villa, students can enjoy a bite to eat in The Commons during open dining hall hours. You can either bring your own food or purchase breakfast, lunch, or dinner from the Villa Bistro. We offer a meal plan that includes 30 meals per semester and over $100 in Bistro Bucks. Plus, every Villa full-time or part-time student receives Bistro Bucks each semester, even if they don’t opt in to the meal plan. Check in to see the menu each week, which includes a variety of snacks and meals you can grab between classes or during study sessions.
Clubs and Organizations
Villa has nearly 30 different clubs available to join. Our current list caters to a wide range of interests, including animation, graphic design, interior design, anime, music, and much more. These organizations are a great way to meet fellow students, make friends, and gain valuable skills. Whether you’re interested in joining a group or starting one yourself, Villa encourages students to get involved and make the most of their time on campus.
Best Places On Campus
Villa has a lot of great spaces on campus you’ll become familiar with fast. Some of these include:
The Commons
The Russell J. Salvatore Commons is the heart of activity on campus. This dining hall and social center has a bistro, various seating areas, and even a gaming area with a pool table and video game consoles. Recently upgraded with modern design and furniture, The Commons is a favorite among students and staff alike.
Digital Media Art Center
Known as the DMAC, this space formerly served as Villa’s bookstore. Now that Villa covers books and most supplies, the college transformed the space to better serve students. Today, it houses the specialized equipment in a modern learning environment for digital media art, animation, game design, and digital filmmaking students. Here, you’ll have access to industry-standard tools and equipment to turn your visions into reality.
The Art Gallery
The Paul William Beltz Family Art Gallery is located in the main building between The Commons and the DMAC. This gallery regularly rotates works of art by students, faculty, and other local artists. It’s a great place to see what fellow students are working on and get inspired.
Athletic Center
The Athletic Center is home to Villa’s basketball teams. Inside is the main gymnasium, an auxiliary gym, and a fitness center. Students are welcome to use the facilities during open hours Monday through Friday.
The Bieler Center
Work is currently ongoing for Villa’s latest upgrade: the Scott Bieler Center for Academic Excellence. The new space will make it faster and easier to access resources in a welcoming, modernized space. Whether you need to work on class projects, find a quiet place to study, or prepare for an interview, the new library will be the perfect place to go on campus.
Where Do Students Live?
While Villa doesn’t have on-campus housing, it partners with Collegiate Village, a student-focused apartment community less than 10 minutes away. Students can pay for housing with financial aid and choose from studio apartments, shared suites, or multi-bedroom units. Collegiate Village houses students from various nearby colleges, offering a chance to meet peers from different institutions. Residents enjoy access to an outdoor pool, basketball and volleyball courts, a fitness center, a mobile market, a movie theater, and study lounges.
Learn More About Villa
College life at Villa Maria College is a unique blend of academic excellence, supportive community, and exciting opportunities. From small class sizes to engaging extracurricular activities, Villa provides an environment where students can thrive both personally and professionally. Ready to experience it for yourself? Explore all that Villa has to offer!
