Recently, Montgomery County lifted most mask mandates for vaccinated residents. As such, I’m optimistic that (at least some) classes will be on campus in Fall. However, when we do return, many students will not know how to get around. So, I developed a guided tour to make the eventual adjustment period a bit easier.

Please note that the location of your classes depends on your home campus and major, so this is not an exhaustive list.

Let’s begin at Building 4, the Biomedical Science and Engineering building. This is the newest building on campus and has lots of outdoor seating. According to the USG map, the Biomedical Science and Engineering building is home to:

• The Grover Café
• The Macklin Center for Academic Success (for tutoring and disability support)
• The Career and Internship Services Center
• The Center for Counseling and Consultation
• The Entrepreneurship Lab
• The Health Science Labs

Let’s say you’re at the main entrance to Building 4, facing the parking lot. If you walk left for a few yards, there is more outdoor seating around the corner. If you walk to your right instead, you should walk directly to Building 3, the Clifford and Camille Kendall Academic Center. Almost everything is in this building, including:

• The Campus Recreation Center
• The Center for Student Engagement and Financial Resources
• The Green Grove Café
• Priddy Library
• Security
• The bookstore
• The Center for Recruitment and Transfer Access

If you keep walking straight, you’ll reach Building 2, ideal for administrative needs:

• The copy center
• Several multipurpose rooms
• Transportation and Parking Services

Building 2 also hosts the Marriott Teaching Kitchen and programs from University of Maryland, Eastern Shore.

I find that the best way to get to Building 1 is to pass Building 2, cut through the campus relaxation area (recognizable by its rock sculpture and decorative arches), and follow the sidewalk. You’ll know you’re going the right way when you pass the outdoor amphitheater. The entrance to this building is yellow-ish and reads, “The Shady Grove Center, University of Maryland System.” It is across from a side door to Building 4, just past a collection of hexagonal picnic tables.

From this point, if you cross to Building 4 and turn left, you should see a wooden bridge. Follow the wooden bridge past the campus pond and a red brick building. The red building is the UMD Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, also known as Building 5. At the end of the bridge, turn left, keep following the sidewalk, and the entrance to Building 5 will be on your left. Watch for geese!

That’s all I have today! Remember, if you lose your bearings on campus, look for the sundial in the center of campus and you should see most buildings. Plus, don’t be afraid to ask a security officer, staff member, or fellow student for help. Chances are, someone is going to the same place as you.