by Andrew J Quillen
Besides all of your classes and a pretty piece of paper on graduation day, what »å´ÇÌýyour tuition and fees actually get you at Mason? This is a question we have all asked, particularly when paying our student bill. Although the number on your bill may come as a bit of a shock, make sure you are considering of all the amenities, services, and activities that Mason has to offer. This post offers a small collection of thoughts, which will hopefully help you more fully appreciate and take advantage of the many benefits that come with paying your Mason bill.
Health Benefits
Gyms Galore!
 has a diversity of athletic facilities and activities for your every need. If you are a full-time student, most-all of these services are free. If you’re part-time, take advantage of some free services and the discounts.
°Õ³ó±ðÌý is a huge, one-stop complex located in the south-east corner of the Fairfax campus. It features an Olympic swimming pool, a heated pool, hot tubs, a sauna, and a wide array of workout equipment. Additionally, the AFC hosts a variety of classes (e.g.. yoga, Zumba, Taekwondo, etc.) that you can access as a Mason student.
°Õ³ó±ðÌý is located on the west side of the Fairfax campus. Besides having a wide array of workout equipment, it has space for indoor basketball, futsal, tennis, racquetball, squash, and more. Take advantage of the  located right next door; it’s a weekend hotspot for soccer, football, field hockey, cricket, and other pickup sports. There are also outside basketball courts behind the RAC. Keep in mind that  offers additional fields and . °Õ³ó±ðÌýField House nearby offers an indoor track for cold, rainy days.
°Õ³ó±ðÌý in Manassas, located on Mason’s SciTech Campus  has a Mason student access deal and discounts. This facility offers a variety of fitness equipment, sports classes and teams, and pool access.
Arlington Campus students can take advantage of a significant fitness benefit at the Arlington YMCA, located just down the street from campus. The $2 daily rate for students to work out at the Y is heavily subsidized by your Mason student fees – Arlington students, be sure to check out this sweet deal!
Activities to Enjoy
Love the outdoors?  provides multiple trips each semester to explore the outdoors with other Mason students at a low cost. As an added bonus, take advantage of the Outdoor Education component to learn skills from rock climbing to wilderness survival to wilderness first aid. Additionally, Graduate Student Life partners with Outdoor Adventures for events each semester.
²Ñ²¹²õ´Ç²ÔÌý are a great opportunity to gather friends, form a team, and have a blast. Each sport contains flexible time brackets for the casual and the competitive.
Cultural Benefits
The  in Fairfax is a hub of art and culture open to Mason students and the community. Sit back and enjoy a concert, take in a play, or hear a speech; Mason students are allowed 1-2 free tickets for almost any performance. .
°Õ³ó±ðÌý in Manassas hosts a wide variety of performances free for Mason students. .
 hosts many top-tier performances throughout the year. They offer priority seating, discounts, and more for Mason students.Â
Campus Events
Stay tuned to the ,Ìý, and  webpages for information about educational, social, academic, and professional events open to Mason graduate students. Additionally, check out  for upcoming events across Mason.
Campus Services
Finally, be sure to consider all of the student services available throughout Mason’s campuses. Student services (such as advising,  ,Ìý,Ìý,Ìý,Ìý,Ìý,Ìý, and more!) are in large part funded by your tuition and student fees. Aside from the top-notch education you are no doubt receiving here at Mason, be sure to keep in mind the many benefits of being a Patriot!