Survival Crash Course 101
By Crystal Abrell | Opinion Editor
Welcome Week is not nearly enough to supply you with all of the essential freshman need-to-knows about the University of Indianapolis. Fortunately, I have provided you with my crash course: UIndy Survival 101.
The “mandatory” Welcome Week UIndy hosts is best for getting to know people and making a few friends before the year kicks off. When football season rolls around, maybe those fellow Welcome Week buddies will end up in the Hound Pound with you. The Hound Pound is the student cheer section of UIndy athletics. You can always easily spot them, as they are the red-painted students loudly cheering on their favorite players.
Be cautious as you cross the pedestrian crosswalks on Hanna Avenue. Warren and Craven dorm students are known as the traffic dodgers of UIndy. If only the rumor of getting free tuition if struck by a car was true. I know my chances were definitely high.
For early mornings, or for a boost of energy after an all-nighter, swing by The Perk in the Switzer Student Center and pick up a coffee, cappuccino, or energy drink. If your tummy is in need of more than a beverage, eat at our Cafeteria. Pizza, chicken and Asian food is served daily, and I mean every day. The salad bar is my favorite pick. Streets seems to always be the student favorite and is convenient because it is open later than the cafeteria. Streets is known for its grilled cheese, quesadillas, chips and queso and subs. Be careful, the delicious food is destined to come with the price of freshman 15!
Most importantly, when finals get a little hard, make sure you go to midnight breakfast hosted by the Campus Program Board. It is always a blast and almost helps you vacation from finals within a quick food break. Then you must return to your $500 worth of highway robbery textbooks.
Make sure you keep your student ID in a safe place and don’t misplace it, unless you have an extra $20 lying around. If you try to get by without one, the Ruth Lilly Fitness Center staff will be sure to stop you in your tracks. Not to mention, you might have to start fasting.
Another thing to be aware of, as inviting as the Smith Mall canal looks, it will cost you a fine of $50 to take a swim. Speaking of fines, make sure you are parking in the designated parking areas. You, especially commuters, are bound to get at least three tickets before the semester is over.
Smith Mall can be a dangerous place. Beware of the geese and their droppings as you walk to class. Take note that during the winter, the steps on Smith Mall are slippery, icy and will catch your fall if you are a little clumsy. Also, sometimes it is good to keep those rain boots in your back pocket for when Smith Mall decides it is time to flood.
As you know, college will not be like high school and most definitely not a cake walk. Procrastination will kill you, especially when your best friend, Facebook, prevents you from starting any paper before 3 a.m. Schwitzer and Krannert Memorial Library are good places to take your laptop to work on things, as long as you are not narcoleptic like most college students. Students usually find themselves crashed out in huge egg chairs or the big comfy couches. To answer many questions to come about the library, yes, there is a third floor.
As fun as UIndy can be, the people around you are what make the college experience. UIndy is known for personable professors. Don’t be surprised if you can’t remember a professor’s name and a professor knows your first and last, your birthday and what your favorite food is. Remember that after-class questions and help might be the difference between your B+ and A- in Organic Chemistry..
A few more words of wisdom before you are dismissed: DO NOT FORGET ABOUT L/P. If you do, you will love them when you become a junior and a senior and are graduation- bound! Can you sense my sarcasm?
Be careful about curfew if you live in the dorms. Make sure your girlfriend or boyfriend is out by midnight on weekdays. Lastly, I advise you to not drive home every weekend. You could miss out on getting the most out of your college career.
UIndy gets better every year. Like all your annoying parents, coaches and professors say, “Make the most out of these four years, because it will be the best four years of your life!” Good luck and class dismissed.
