Starting to go to the gym

Jess • 24
I am 5'2 and 175 pounds. Yes I am overweight, however I carry it well and I am only recently starting to look chubby. I'm wanting to lose a little bit of weight and get into a more comfortable zone. My school has a gym that I can use for free whenever I want (bless) so I think I'm going to start using it next semester. 
I however am completely out of shape. I can pick up maybe 45/50 pounds and lift it over my head (which I do at work) but that is about it as far as strength is concerned. I can't run more than a minute or so either. 
Any advice to starting a routine and helping me get healthier would be appreciated!! Food tips are accepted too. Especially cheap, as I'm a broke college student. 
I also can only go to the gym from mon-thurs as I do not have classes on Friday's or weekends and my school is well over an hour from my house. 
Thank you for reading!!