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2026: The Best way to utilize our university
The using guide for our university freshmen and students

The Cheongdae Times Newspaper Regular reporter Min Jung Eun

Stepping onto campus for the first time, students are often greeted by steep and expansive grounds, confusing building numbers and locations, and unfamiliar shuttle routes. The excitement of a new beginning quickly gives way to uncertainty, as many find themselves wondering, “Where do I even start?” Such feelings of confusion and concern are common in the early stages of university life.

It is not unusual for freshmen to wander around in search of classrooms and end up arriving late, struggle to locate student cafeterias and instead resort to eating off-campus or at convenience stores, or miss shuttle boarding points and find themselves climbing uphill to make it to class. These experiences are often regarded as a rite of passage for new students.

However, with just a bit of prior knowledge, many of these difficulties can be significantly reduced. Knowing the shortest routes between lecture halls, the locations and menus of campus cafeterias, shuttle bus routes, intervals, and boarding points that connect different parts of the campus, as well as how to make full use of library facilities with their wide range of benefits, can greatly enhance the overall university experience.

This article compiles essential and practical information to help students adjust to campus life. Drawing from the reporter’s own experiences over the past two years, it offers useful insights that can make navigating university life more convenient and efficient.

Campus Shortcuts That Make University Life Easier

With its expansive layout and notably steep terrain, our university campus often poses a challenge for newly admitted students. Simply moving between buildings to attend scheduled lectures can require a considerable amount of time and physical effort.

When students are pressed for time—either just before a class begins or during short breaks between lectures—searching for the correct building can quickly become both exhausting and time-consuming.

▲ Exterior view of the University’s Main Lecture Building (Building 13) / Source: Our University CJU Promotion Center

  The Main Lecture Building (Building 13), primarily used for general education and large-scale lectures, is located at the highest and most remote point on campus. As morning classes approach, it is not uncommon to see a line of taxis rushing in, carrying students who are running late. For this reason, it is important to familiarize oneself with the routes in advance.

There are two main ways to reach the Main Lecture Building (Building 13). From the main gate, students can take the campus shuttle bus, get off at the College of Health and Medical Sciences (Building 08). Alternatively, from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (Building 20), students can take the elevator from the first floor to the sixth floor; upon exiting toward the staircase directly ahead, the Main Lecture Building (Building 13) is immediately visible on the right.

However, as mentioned earlier, since the Main Lecture Building (Building 13) is located away from the central area of campus, it is advisable to allow sufficient travel time to ensure a safe and punctual arrival to class.

▲ Exterior view of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (Building 20) / Source: Our University CJU Promotion Center

Although the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (Building 20) is located directly in front of the College of Business and Economics (Building 09), it sits at a relatively lower elevation due to the campus’s terrain.

The building features multiple points on different floors, each connected to various parts of the campus. The first floor provides access toward Jinwon Hall (dormitory) and the Suamgol and main gate directions, the fourth floor connects to Cheongseok Hall (main building) and the university museum, and the sixth floor links to the road leading toward the Main Lecture Building (Building 13). By choosing the appropriate entrance depending on one’s destination, students can significantly reduce travel time across campus.

In addition, a CU convenience store is located on the first floor, allowing students with classes in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (Building 20) to quickly grab a snack or meal in between lectures.

▲ A photo of the exterior of the new building (Building 14) of the College of Engineering at our university. 

When moving between buildings within the College of Engineering, it is helpful to understand the differences between the old and new facilities. The new Engineering Building (Building 14) is primarily used for advanced engineering courses, while the old Engineering Building (Building 07), which is currently used mainly by the College of Arts, remains in operation.

However, the old building (Building 07) does not have an elevator, meaning that moving between floors requires using the stairs, which can be physically demanding. In such cases, using the new Engineering Building (Building 14) offers a more convenient alternative. The upper floors of the old building are connected to the right wing of the fifth floor of the new building via a skybridge, allowing students to move between buildings through indoor corridors without having to navigate outdoor slopes or stairs.

In addition, the College of Business and Economics (Building 09) is also designed for convenient movement. The left and central sections of the building are connected to the Faculty Research Building via skybridges on the second and third floors. Furthermore, the first floor and basement level provide indoor passageways, making it easier to move around during rainy weather or the hot summer season.

Becoming familiar with the campus layout in advance can significantly reduce the fatigue of daily travel. Students are encouraged to review the campus map available on the university website and identify shortcuts along their frequently used routes.

Where Can You Find Student Cafeterias on Campus?

After long hours of classes, student cafeterias become essential spaces to satisfy hunger. Our university operates a total of four cafeterias, and knowing their locations and menus in advance can make campus life much more convenient.

According to the university website’s menu section, the cafeterias are categorized into the College of Business and Economics Cafeteria, the Dormitory Cafeteria, the Main Building Staff Cafeteria, and the Student Cafeteria. Among these, the most commonly used by students are the Student Cafeteria in the University Cultural Center (Building 38), the College of Business and Economics Cafeteria located on the fourth floor of the central building (Building 09), and the Main Building Staff Cafeteria in Cheongseok Hall (Building 05).

While the cafeterias in the College of Business and Economics and the Main Building Staff Cafeteria typically offer a single-menu option, the Student Cafeteria in the University Cultural Center provides a wider selection, including both Korean-style meals and à la carte options.

One particularly noteworthy program is the “1,000-won Breakfast.” According to the menu schedule of the Main Building Staff Cafeteria, this program is offered every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday starting at 8:30 a.m. It allows students to stop by before class and have an affordable breakfast.

The “1,000-won Breakfast” is part of a government initiative led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to provide university students with balanced meals at a low cost. The expenses are shared by the government, local authorities, and the university, allowing students to enjoy a meal for just 1,000 won. However, due to limited availability, students are advised to arrive early if they wish to take advantage of this program.

Students can check the menus of each cafeteria in advance through the university website under Community → Campus Life Board → Cafeteria Menu, where listings are provided for the College of Business and Economics Cafeteria, Student Cafeteria, Main Building Staff Cafeteria, and the International Cultural Center (Dormitory Cafeteria). If you are unsure what to eat, taking a quick look at the menu beforehand can help you decide where to go.

A Lifeline for Getting Around Campus: The Shuttle Bus

Given the steep hills and expansive layout of the campus, it can be physically demanding to rely solely on walking. In such cases, the campus shuttle bus serves as a highly useful means of transportation.

The shuttle route runs from the main gate to the mid gate, College of Health Sciences, Student Union Building, College of Arts, and the dormitory complex, before returning to the main gate via the same stops in reverse order. As it circulates through the major buildings on campus, it significantly reduces the need to climb hills while carrying heavy bags.

The shuttle operates from 8:10 a.m. to 5:40 p.m., running at intervals of approximately 10 to 20 minutes. However, between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., it does not stop at the mid gate and the University Cultural Center. Additionally, if the bus reaches full capacity, it will sound the horn twice and pass without stopping, so students should be mindful of this.

Furthermore, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, some runs of Shuttle Bus No. 2 are canceled between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Therefore, it is advisable to allow extra waiting time or consider alternative buses during these hours.

The campus shuttle bus operates only during the semester and may be suspended when supporting university events. Students are encouraged to regularly check the university website for announcements before relying on the shuttle.

Simply making good use of the shuttle bus can greatly reduce the fatigue of campus life. Detailed schedules and routes can be found on the university website under Campus Life → Facilities → Shuttle (Commuter) Bus → Campus Shuttle Bus.

Although the campus may initially feel unfamiliar and complex, becoming familiar with it allows students to navigate it in a far more efficient and convenient way. From lecture halls and cafeterias to libraries, facilities, and the shuttle bus system that connects them, every part of the university exists to support students’ daily lives and growth.

Ultimately, what matters most is how well students understand and actively utilize these resources. It is hoped that this article will serve as a helpful guide for freshmen adjusting to campus life, while also offering current students an opportunity to rediscover the value of their campus.