Starting college in Statesboro comes with a lot of exciting firsts — from your first walk down the Blind Willie McTell Trail to your first Eagle Walk before a game at Paulson Stadium. Whether you’re headed to Georgia Southern University for a semester or all four years, getting to know “The Boro” can make the transition a whole lot smoother.
This student guide covers everything from affordable food and things to do to study spots, jobs, transportation, and wellness resources. With the right setup, Statesboro can start feeling like home before your first semester even ends.
Things To Do
Statesboro is a Southern college town through and through, and that means Saturdays built around football, laid-back trails you can hit between classes, and a downtown that’s small enough to feel like home. Whether you’re outdoorsy, love live music, or just want to catch a game with friends, there’s rarely a slow weekend once you settle in.
Statesboro keeps its outdoor scene simple, flat, and free. The S&S Greenway is a shady, paved 2.75-mile trail close to campus, while the Blind Willie McTell Trail winds from Memorial Park into downtown, passing benches designed by GSU art students along the way. Mill Creek Regional Park offers a paved loop around a 155-acre park with a lake and picnic areas, and the campus’s own Botanic Garden is an easy spot to recharge between classes. For a bigger day trip, Skidaway Island State Park near Savannah is about an hour away.
Statesboro’s evening scene centers around a handful of spots that are practically GSU institutions. Eagle Creek Brewery draws a crowd for live music and board games on weekend nights, while South City Tavern and Dingus Magee’s are go-to hangouts near campus. For something more low-key, AMC Statesboro 12 hosts “Mugs & Movies” nights, and downtown’s Two Story Books and Coffee House is a favorite for a quieter evening with friends.
Game day is a big deal in Statesboro. The Georgia Southern Eagles compete in the Sun Belt Conference, and Eagle pride runs deep — the team still rides yellow school buses to Paulson Stadium singing “The Valley Song,” and Freedom the live eagle mascot’s pregame flight is a tradition unlike anything else in college football. Basketball and volleyball take over the Hill Convocation Center in the winter, and students can join the action themselves through Student Recreation and Intramurals, which runs leagues, group fitness classes, and a rock climbing wall right on campus.
Statesboro keeps a full calendar of community events alongside campus life. Firecracker Fest at Mill Creek Park brings live music, inflatables, and fireworks every summer, while the Statesboro Kiwanis Rodeo rolls into the fairgrounds each spring. Downtown, the Averitt Center for the Arts hosts theater, galleries, and performances year-round, and GSU’s own tailgates and Homecoming traditions keep the fall semester buzzing with school spirit.
Food on a Student Budget
Statesboro’s food scene mixes Southern comfort with plenty of quick, student-friendly options. Fordham’s Farmhouse is a downtown favorite for hearty Southern dishes, while Mellow Mushroom is a reliable pick for pizza with friends. Over at Eagles Corner near campus, Huey Magoo’s and Tropical Smoothie Café make for an easy meal between classes.
Plenty of students stretch their budget further by meal prepping during the week and saving the sit-down spots for weekends. Having a full kitchen at home makes it a lot easier to cook instead of eating out every night.
Saving Money as a Student
Budgeting in college can feel overwhelming at first, but a few good habits go a long way. Most students in Statesboro spend the bulk of their money on rent, groceries, and going out, so keeping an eye on those categories early can save a lot of stress later in the semester.
Statesboro’s cost of living runs well below the national average, which stretches a student budget further than in most college towns. Splitting grocery runs with roommates, using an Eagle Dining meal plan strategically, and taking advantage of GSU’s free campus shuttle instead of driving are all easy ways to keep costs down.
Food on a Student Budget
Statesboro’s food scene mixes Southern comfort with plenty of quick, student-friendly options. Fordham’s Farmhouse is a downtown favorite for hearty Southern dishes, while Mellow Mushroom is a reliable pick for pizza with friends. Over at Eagles Corner near campus, Huey Magoo’s and Tropical Smoothie Café make for an easy meal between classes.
Plenty of students stretch their budget further by meal prepping during the week and saving the sit-down spots for weekends. Having a full kitchen at home makes it a lot easier to cook instead of eating out every night.
Jobs & Career Opportunities for Students
Georgia Southern’s Student Employment Center is the easiest starting point for on-campus jobs, connecting students to positions across nearly every department. Off campus, local restaurants and retail shops around Eagles Corner and downtown regularly hire students for shifts that work around a class schedule.
For students looking to build a resume before graduation, the region around Savannah — about an hour east — is home to major employers like Hyundai, Gulfstream, and JCB, all part of a fast-growing industrial and logistics corridor tied to the Port of Savannah.
Fitness & Staying Active
Staying active in Statesboro starts right on campus. Student Recreation and Intramurals is free with tuition and covers group fitness classes, an indoor track, a pool, and a rock climbing wall, while Orangetheory Fitness at Eagles Corner is a popular off-campus option. The Hamptons’ own 24-hour fitness center is also just steps from your door for a quick workout between classes.
Studying & Staying Productive
Finding a study routine that actually works is one of the biggest keys to surviving college. Most GSU students end up at the Zach S. Henderson Library at some point, whether for the quiet study rooms, research help, or laptop rentals. The Academic Success Center is also worth knowing about early, offering free peer tutoring and study skills workshops for nearly every subject.
Mental Health & Wellness
College comes with a lot of new pressure, and it’s normal for that to catch up with you at some point. Balancing classes, work, and a social life takes real effort, which is why taking care of your mental health matters just as much as keeping up with coursework.
GSU’s Counseling Center offers free individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and mental health workshops for all students, with referrals available for anyone who needs additional off-campus support.
Moving Out & Your First Apartment
Moving into your first apartment is a big step toward independence, but it comes with a learning curve — coordinating move-in day, splitting bills with roommates, and budgeting for the first time. A moving checklist and a clear read on your lease can make the whole process a lot smoother.
Since The Hamptons’ cottage-style homes come with the option to move in fully furnished, students usually only need to shop for personal touches rather than major furniture, which makes move-in day a lot more manageable.
Student Housing Made Simple
Where you live has a bigger impact on your college experience than most students expect. Housing close to campus can save time, simplify your routine, and keep you connected to classes, friends, and everything else going on around GSU.
The Hamptons is the only cottage-style off-campus community this close to Georgia Southern, sitting just steps from campus with a saltwater pool and lazy river, a 24-hour fitness center, and The Eagle Club — a second clubhouse with its own Starbucks machine — the kind of setup that makes it easier to focus on classes and still have a life outside of them.
Getting Around Without a Car
Plenty of students at The Hamptons get by just fine without a car. Sitting only a tenth of a mile from campus, most classes are an easy walk, and Georgia Southern’s Southern Express shuttle runs a continuous loop through the rest of campus, trackable in real time through the Passio GO app.
Southern Express runs on class days, during finals, football game days, and spring commencement, with buses starting at 7 a.m. on weekdays and running about every 15 minutes after 4 p.m. until service ends at 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 6 p.m. on Fridays — there’s no regular service on weekends or between semesters, so it’s worth planning weekend errands around walking, biking, or a ride from a friend. Students who need to get to Georgia Southern’s Armstrong Campus in Savannah can also ride the free intercampus shuttle, which departs from the Russell Union lot on class days and seats up to 35 riders.
College is about more than just classes — it’s about building routines, friendships, and experiences that stick with you long after graduation. Having the right home base can make all of that easier to enjoy. Whether you’re getting ready for your first semester or looking for a better student housing experience near GSU, The Hamptons is here to help you make the most of your years in Statesboro.
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