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Gina Columbus
@GinaColumbusAPP

Perhaps this will sound preachy — but the college experience should be cherished while it lasts.

As a still somewhat-recent college graduate, I can say that wholeheartedly with nostalgia.

For many students, the school they spend roughly four years at truly becomes a home away from home. They learn the nearby places to grab a coffee or a late-night snack, and which neighborhood taverns the upperclassmen head to for a midweek brew. When they forget their favorite pair of jeans or heels back at home, students find the local boutiques that are friendly with their often low budget. And when family visits, they figure out where to enjoy a much-needed meal together.

At this point in time, the residence halls are filling back up and the campus is bustling with student and faculty energy. Already, undergraduates are carrying around the syllabus to courses, their brows furrowed over upcoming assignments.

But rest easy — this piece of homework has been done for you.

Here is a student-friendly guide to the local attractions in some of New Jersey's well-known college towns.

Monmouth University: West Long Branch

ABOUT THE SCHOOL: The private university, which has a 159-acre and historic campus, is said to have endless possibilities for students with more than 50 programs of study. It's also less than a mile from the Atlantic Ocean, so students are never far from the beach.

But what also makes Monmouth special, according to Mary Anne Nagy, vice president for student life and leadership engagement at the university, is that students have five destinations accessible to them.

GRAB A BITE: One of those five places is the West End area in Long Branch, which includes Brighton Avenue — an area packed with college-friendly eateries and nightlife spots.

"The Surf Taco and the Jr.'s, the Jack's Goal Line Stand, that sort of general area," Nagy says. "If you think about the general West End/ Brighton Avenue area, that, to me, is clearly a destination for our students."

And don't forget Nelly's Pizza in West Long Branch. They're open until 4 a.m. daily and boast a packed menu of items such as fat sandwiches. Try the Fat Moon: chicken fingers, bacon, egg, cheese, fries, mayonnaise, ketchup, lettuce, tomato and onions ($7.95).

NEED TO SHOP: Monmouth Mall, 180 Route 35, Eatontown is less than a 10-minute drive away from campus. All the mall favorites are here, such as Macy's, Lord and Taylor, Charlotte Russe, Forever 21, and Modell's Sporting Goods. Nagy adds the recently revamped AMC Loews Theatre with luxurious seating provides a "super movie theatre experience" for students.

There's dining options here, too, Nagy explains. Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, a new hot spot, is also found in this center.

"You've got student-friendly kinds of restaurants, the Chili's, Friday's, Chipotle, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Bobby's Burger Place," Nagy says. "And you've got a Starbucks in Barnes and Noble. It's also a destination for students to be employed."

A NIGHT OUT: A weekly visit to Jack's Goal Line Stand is quite common for several Monmouth University students. But other nighttime places are a short drive away.

"Asbury Park is a destination," Nagy says. "Not only for restaurants, but places like Porta and the like." Asbury Park hot spots, she says, are Johnny Mac's House of Spirits and Silverball Museum Arcade.

FAMILY ATTRACTIONS: Along the ocean in Long Branch is a must-do attraction called Pier Village — filled with eclectic boutiques and eateries, such as Koi Boutique, Sawa, and Turning Point.

"Pier Village tends to be a destination when students have their parents come," says Nagy. "They really like McLoone's Pier House, certainly the Turning Point, Avenue, that seems to be the destination when your parents are here and you want to go out a little bit more than your everyday restaurant."

And who can forget the beach? Get here in between classes at the start and end of semesters.

MORE: The Long Branch train station is nearby, and students also have the free Long Branch Community Shuttle available to them five days a week that picks them up in front of the health services center. It's ideal for students who have an internship out of town, or yearn a visit to New York City. They can take the shuttle directly to the train station, Nagy says.

"There's these five clusters, each sort of it has a different flavor or purpose," says Nagy of the five destination points for students. "It's nice to have that many purposes."

Michael Maiden, assistant vice president for communications and university relations, provides some extra pointers on where students can find entertainment and culinary offerings around the West Long Branch area.

The free Long Branch Community Shuttle Service is a big draw for students — especially those without cars — he explains.

"It definitely makes Red Bank accessible," Maiden says. "It does have Count Basie Theatre, Two River Theater."

Other area attractions for students include Long Branch beaches and the Stony Pony in Asbury Park.

"It's famous worldwide," Maiden says. "You get headline acts."

On campus, Maiden says students can enjoy the new bowling alley being installed in Boylan Gym sometime in October. The campus' Multipurpose Activity Center (MAC) is also a concert venue for various acts, including Bob Dylan, Daughtry and Backstreet Boys.

Monmouth University: 431 Cedar Ave., West Long Branch; 732-571-3400 or www.monmouth.edu.

Montclair State University: Montclair

ABOUT THE SCHOOL: The 250-acre main campus here has almost 300 majors, minors, concentrations and certificate programs. It's also said to be the first New Jersey state college to offer master's degrees, among other accomplishments.

"Montclair is a wonderful community; there's so much to do there," says Bryan Murdock, assistant director of the research academy for university learning at Montclair State. "It's a diverse community, but it has wonderful restaurants and places to dine. You can do everything from Ethiopian food, Indian restaurants, Italian restaurants, Greek restaurants — a palate of international cuisines. It's as close as you can get to the city without being in the city in terms of its cultural offerings and culinary offerings."

GRAB A BITE: Head to Church Street, a college-friendly area filled with dining options, Murdock says.

"Church Street is a great little pedestrian way," says Murdock. "It has a lot of boutiques, restaurants on it. It has a little bistro Raymond's (Restaurant), sort of like an American bistro," Murdock says. "I know a lot of college students like to go there. The food is really solid."

He also recommends Brick Lane Curry House, 540 Upper Valley Road, which he says is close to campus and has a great lunch menu. Two Starbucks are nearby, he adds. Other mentionable eateries include Mesob Ethiopian Restaurant, Falafel Hut, Tinga Taqueria, Dai Kichi, Cuban Pete's, Thai Chef, Beyond Pita and Just Jake's.

NEED TO SHOP: Church Street is also the place to be for retail purposes, Murdock says.

"Everything from vintage clothing stores to little, small boutiques and even national chains like Urban Outfitters," says Murdock.

Additional nearby shopping spots include Anthropologie, Hip Chic, Urban Outfitters, Born Again Vintage, and One Savvy Design Consignment Boutique.

A NIGHT OUT: The Clairidge Cinema is a movie theater said to offer feature and independent films, Murdock says. Students also frequent The Wellmont Theatre, a concert venue known to host national acts.

"It has a tremendous number of acts," says Murdock. "I've gone there and seen jazz artists and rock performances. It's a venue that has lots of diversity."

Murdock cites other cultural opportunities for students, such as the Montclair Film Festival and local community farms.

"There was a jazz festival last week which took place in a park in Montclair; the Montclair Art Museum has a wonderful collection," Murdock says. "It has lots of programs, classes and exhibits."

Outpost in the Burbs, a nonprofit outreach organization dedicated to building community through music, community service, and cultural programs, is another hotspot for Montclair students.

FAMILY ATTRACTIONS: It's up in the air on where to go when parents come to town, Murdock says.

"Students have different tastes," says Murdock, discussing the array of international cuisine. "Brookdale Park is at the center of town. It's a beautiful park, and there is a number of smaller parks as well."

Additional outdoor outlets include Nisuane Park, Edgemont Park, and Glenfield Park.

MORE: Murdock notes that Montclair State students are often out and about doing community service, such as tutoring at local schools.

Montclair State University: 1 Normal Ave., Montclair; 973-655-4000 or www.montclair.edu.

Rutgers University: New Brunswick/Piscataway

ABOUT THE SCHOOL: Rutgers University has three campuses — the other two are in Camden and Newark — but the North Brunswick/Piscataway campus is its main home. It boasts 41,200 full and part-time students.

Dharm Patel, a graduate student at Rutgers University, says New Brunswick is evolving to cater to the college crowd.

"New Brunswick has really changed in the past couple of years with the redevelopment projects," Patel says. "Live Band Karaoke at Harvest Moon every Thursday, Tini-Tuesdays at Stage House in Somerset, Stuff Yer Face on Easton, World of Beer on George Street. It's nice to see it all changing for the better."

GRAB A BITE: There are more than enough places to eat near campus. Head to 25 Burgers, Caribbean Cafe, Destination Dogs, La Fiesta Mexicana Restaurant, Panico's Brick Oven Pizza, Stage Left, Sushi Room, and Indochine Vietnamese Restaurant.

NEED TO SHOP: The downtown area is filled with shops and services. Try Cliquer's, Finale, Syndicated Clothing, and Touch of Class for the latter. Far Away Places, Safa's Jewelry, Best Expressions and Extreme Sports.

A NIGHT OUT: According to NewBrunswick.com, there are a handful of lounges around to indulge in some nightlife. They include Ale 'N 'Wich, Pub, Budapest Cafe, Glo UltraLounge, The Old Bay Restaurant, and a Rutgers-centric spot The Knight Pub. Have some laughs at The Stress Factory Comedy Club, which offers stand-up comedians with dinner and show specials on Fridays and Saturdays.

FAMILY ATTRACTIONS: If families are staying in town for an overnight visit, there are accommodations nearby, such as the Rutgers University Inn and Conference Center (on campus), The Heldrich Hotel, Hyatt Regency New Brunswick Inn, Embassy Suites Hotel Piscataway, and more.

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey: 57 US Highway 1 New Brunswick; 732-445-4636 orwww.rutgers.edu.

Princeton University: Princeton

ABOUT THE SCHOOL: The Ivy League school is also the fourth-oldest college in the United States, being chartered in 1746. It's known as a research university, with 1,100 faculty members instruct 5,200 undergraduates and 2,600 graduate students.

Jack Morrison, owner of the JM Restaurant Group in Princeton, had a few things to say about where Princeton students hit around the town.

"The town of Princeton holds a great variety of options for the students, faculty and those who visit campus. However, the typical student spends the majority of their time on campus which is the trend nationwide of private institutions," says Morrison. "The town services have grown with the growth of the university community and is a vibrant urban mix of great shopping and dining, world class art and theatre along with a deep history of domestic and world events transpiring in our buildings and on our streets."

GRAB A BITE: The Princeton Merchants Association, which has over 130 member businesses and university's student government organization, are organizing a Restaurant Week, Morrison says. The event, which is now in it's third year, brings hundreds of students into town each night of the week.

"Hoagie Haven is the iconic 'go to' for the students, along with Small World Coffee, Thomas Sweets, Bent Spoon, which you can see represent a student's food pyramid," Morrison says. "Tiger Noodle, JJ Winberie's, Yankee Doodle Tap Room, Teresa Caffe, PJ's Pancake House, Blue Point Grill, The Alchemist & Barrister, Triumph, Agricola, Mediterra Restaurant and Taverna, Mistral and the Witherspoon Grill are also popular with the students."

NEED TO SHOP: Morrison says that the bulk of the student shopping is daily essentials, so head to the local CVS, the Official Princeton University Store, and Labyrinth Books. The Princeton Farmers Market, which is held every Thursday on Hinds Plaza, has become popular with the students and community, he adds.

A NIGHT OUT: "Ivy Inn, Triumph, JJ Winberie's, and the Tap Room are popular in town and the various dining clubs on Prospect St., which are part of campus and are similar to a Greek system on other campuses, offer bands, dances and parties that are geared for the student," Morrison says. "McCarter Theatre has world class plays, theatre and entertainment with over 200 performances each year, combined with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra, which draws talent from around the globe for concerts that are beyond description."

FAMILY ATTRACTIONS: All of the above-mentioned spots, Morrison says, are also perfect to bring the parents to.

"Princeton is a great destination for anyone interested in history, arts, theatre, shopping and dining set in a picturesque, iconic New England town scape," says Morrison. "The Nassau Inn and the Peacock Inn offer wonderful overnight accommodations or just come for the day or evening and enjoy a stroll on Nassau Street, visit the campus, shop and grab a bite to eat."

Princeton University: 200 Elm Drive, Princeton; 609-258-3000 or www.princeton.edu.

Richard Stockton College of New Jersey: Galloway

ABOUT THE SCHOOL: This college is in the southern part of New Jersey, and a short ride from Atlantic City. The school was recently ranked in the top tier of the "Best Regional Colleges and Universities of the North" by U.S. News and World Report.

GRAB A BITE: Stockton students have access to an off-campus program, where they place funds on their college identification card; select Galloway merchants accept the funds in this account as payments. Some include: CVS, Rite-Aid, Incollingo's Marketplace, Denny's, Gourmet Italian Cuisine, Star Diner, Changes Hair Salon, and other local restaurants.

"It is a great program for students and their families providing easy access to local shopping, dining, and other retail services," says Maryjane Briant, news and media relations director for the college.

Additional eateries in town and nearby include Ram's Head Inn and Celina's Mulberry Market & Grill, Athenian Garden, and Sack O' Subs.

NEED TO SHOP: See where your Osprey card (the college identification card) will take you around the area. Additional retailers include Underground and Butterflies and Friends. You may even want to head to Historic Smithville in Absecon.

"Athletics has relationships/agreements with merchants including Tilton Fitness Center, which has a location in Galloway (among others) and Strike Zone Lanes, a bowling alley in nearby Egg Harbor City," says Briant.

A NIGHT OUT: As a Stockton student, Atlantic City is less than 20 minutes away. But there is entertainment available closer to campus, Briant says.

"In Hammonton, Stockton operates Kramer Hall instructional site, which has an art gallery and serves as a meeting place for community events and shows," Briant says. "Many of them are held in conjunction with Hammonton's Third Thursday program of monthly town-wide events and shows.

FAMILY ATTRACTIONS: In addition to any of the nearby eateries, Stockton's Performing Arts Center has music, dance and theatre shows for the college and the surrounding community.

James Van Praagh, world-renowned psychic medium, will hit the theatre Oct. 19.

Richard Stockton College of New Jersey: 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway; 609-652-1776 or www.stockton.edu.

Stevens Institute of Technology: Hoboken

ABOUT THE SCHOOL: The premier, private research university overlooks the Manhattan skyline, according to the university's website.

"There are so many options for restaurants, fast food, high-end chains, local stores that are long time established (places) and are supportive and welcoming of our students," says Ken Nielsen, dean of student life at Stevens. "Hoboken is young, lively; it's got a really positive fast beat to it. And I think that students just want to be in a great city like Hoboken with access to Manhattan."

GRAB A BITE: Nilsen says at first, undergraduate students venture toward nearby well-known food chains — Qdoba Mexican Grill, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, and Panera Bread.

"But at the same point in time, they became finding local things," says Nilsen. "They venture off and try something new. There's a couple Indian restaurants, Asian restaurants. It's interesting to watch some of our more experienced students with dining, and have them venture into new opportunities with food."

A sample of spots include La Isla Restaurant, Zafra, Grimaldi's Coal Brick Oven, Karma Kafe, and Ibby's Falafel. Grab a burger at places such as Arthur's Tavern, Hoboken Bar and Grill, and Boardwalk Fresh Burgers and Fries.

NEED TO SHOP: Hoboken is filled with boutiques and retailers, Nilsen says, such as Battaglia's Home, a store helpful for students in need of furnishings for a new apartment.

"It's convenient to have a community kind of store like that in town," says Nilsen. "There's so many different options. They (students) can walk literally to Jersey City — walk to the mall, to Newport Centre. It's convenient enough. (Hoboken is) so nice and friendly and urban, but low in scale."

Stevens also has a meal plan where students can add funds into an account that can be used at various local establishments — drugstores, grocery stores, dry cleaners, hair salons and more.

A NIGHT OUT: Nilsen says Stevens students are always out looking for more of a social atmosphere, such as a public trivia night, rather than a typical college bar.

"They take part in a lot of different things," says Nilsen. "They intermix with everybody else. They want to be a part of the Hoboken community. I think our students are quite mature and responsible. They don't stand out as 'those college students are just troublemakers'."

Stevens students also take part in community service activities often, Nilsen says.

"For our students, it's so much more of the community atmosphere than the bar scene," Nilsen says. "There's all different activities that the restaurants are trying to attract them to. They'll find other parts of Hoboken, they get to find out more about the city."

FAMILY ATTRACTIONS: When the families' visit, Nilsen says there are often outings made to Carlo's Bake on Washington Street.

"We also give them information, and encourage them to find out about the rest of the history in Hoboken," says Nilsen. "We have eating and walking tours (Mangia Hoboken! The Hoboken Food & Culture Tour). It's breads to desserts to pizza to mozzarella, all of the little different places."

Dining options when out in the family may include Amanda's Restaurant, Elysian Cafe, and Court Street Restaurant and Bar.

"Hoboken is built for both young adults as well as families," says Nilsen. "I've lived in Hoboken for 20 years. There's always something different to try or where to go."

Stevens Institute of Technology: 1 Castle Point Terrace, Hoboken; 201-216-5000 orwww.stevens.edu.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS TIPS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS

Check out this 'study guide' to help while at school

Learn proper portion size. For most people, meat servings should be about the size of a deck of cards and other servings vary by the type of food.

Vary your meals. When the cafeteria has your favorite foods daily it can be easy to return to those old favorites every day. Changing up your diet from day to day is an important part of good nutrition so take advantage of the variety of selections available to you.

Don't fight stress by eating. It can be tempting to reach for a bag of chips or some cookies when you're stressed out about an impending exam. Eating won't help your stress go away. Try working out or taking a break instead.

Take vitamins. If you feel like you aren't getting the nutrition you need from your diet, don't hesitate to supplement it with some multivitamins to stay healthy and illness free.

Walk to class. While taking public transportation might be quicker, walking will give you a chance to stretch your legs, burn some calories and relax before your next class.

Stick to a schedule. With different classes and work hours each day, it can be hard to stick to a schedule, but keeping sleep times similar from day to day can greatly improve your chances of getting a good night's sleep.

Avoid caffeine, eating and drinking right before bed. All of these activities can throw off your body's internal clock, so try to limit meals, alcohol and caffeine consumption to a few hours before bed.

Drink lots of fluids. Colds and flu can wreck havoc on your body, often depriving it of much needed fluids. Replenish these by drinking plenty of water or energy drinks when you're ill.

Source: Healthservices.camden.rutgers.edu

AMERICA'S BEST COLLEGE TOWNS

A sample of what was voted as the top

Burlington, Vermont

Charlottesville, Virginia

San Luis Obispo, California

Williamsburg, Virginia

Harrisonburg, Virginia

Boulder, Colorado

St. Augustine, Florida

Asheville, North Carolina

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Flagstaff, Arizona

Source: Travel + Leisure

10 REASONS TO RETIRE IN A COLLEGE TOWN

Here's a look at why college towns often make good retirement spots:

Free classes. Many colleges and universities offer tuition waivers for older adults. Some colleges also offer continuing education classes specifically for older adults.

Good hospitals. Many colleges have affiliated teaching hospitals that provide medical services to the community that you would otherwise have to travel to a large city to get access to. These hospitals may provide cutting-edge medication and treatments and allow you to enroll in clinical trials.

Speakers and concerts. College towns frequently attract world-class performers, speakers, and musicians. In some cases, alumni and other members of the community can also get access to the library, lectures, plays, and performances for free or at a nominal cost.

Sports. The Forest at Duke, a retirement community affiliated with Duke University, provides a bus to Duke football and basketball games for residents so they can avoid the parking crunch. Sometimes community members can even use the college's state-of-the-art athletic facilities.

Affordable cost-of-living. Many restaurants and local businesses cater to people living on a college student budget by offering affordable services.

A strong economy. Colleges generally have a stabilizing effect on the local economy.

Public transportation. Public transportation is often reliable and affordable in college towns.

Scenic beauty. Colleges are often built in picturesque settings, and they sometimes go to great lengths to keep the campus and surrounding community looking beautiful.

Think young. A college brings a steady stream of young people into town who are eager to be on their own for the first time. This youthful energy can infect the whole town during orientation week, game days, and commencement, and there may be opportunities to get involved.

Retirement communities on campus. Many colleges now have retirement communities located on or near campus, including the University of Michigan, Duke, and Notre Dame.

Source: Money.usnews.com