UC- home of the Bearcats. When I confirmed my admission, many people, myself included, were curious as to why I chose to move 1 1/2 hours away from my loving home to the Nasty Nati. Now I can confidently say that moving to Cincinnati for my undergraduate degree has been one of the best decisions- if not the best- I have ever made in my lifetime. Sure, it has its flaws, but so does any other university. The thing about the University of Cincinnati is that it is unique, in it's own interesting way:
1. Woody's is the place to be if you want to be surrounded by frat dudes chugging beers, sorority girls screaming and hugging every person they know, and not being able to move... At all.
Oh, Woody's. The only highlight it has had in the last four years is Nick Jonas and James Franco's appearance in 2015. If you're down for a cramped, loud, and obnoxious evening out with your friends, then you will feel right at home at Woody's. If any of what I just said gives you anxiety just thinking about it, I would strongly recommend you steer clear of that bar at all costs.
2. Hills. Hills everywhere.
Ain't nothin' like walking to class and feeling like you got a day's worth of cardio in 2 minutes. And for the few of us left who drive stick shift, you really know the struggle.
3. Prez Ono was the best, and replacing him is not going to be easy.
The day President Santa Ono announced he was leaving UC, the whole university was in shock and disbelief. How such a selfless, encouraging, and motivational person could be the president of our very university was a gift not many universities are blessed with. Hopefully our new president is half of the president Santa Ono was.
4. Drunken Bento vs. Mr. Sushi.
Honestly, will we ever know the outcome of which sushi place is the best? Two restaurants with half price sushi, what could the difference be? Drunken Bento is a great place to have a chill, low-key dinner while enjoying all of the character the restaurant has. Mr. Sushi, on the other hand, is the place to go for fish bowl margs before going out for the evening. Two different vibes, two amazing sushi places Clifton is blessed with. I highly doubt we will ever be able to declare a winner.
5. Using the bathroom at Ladder 19 is not recommended, unless you feel like waiting in line for 500 years.
Whoever decided to only have one bathroom per gender in a bar on a college campus needs to strongly reconsider their life decisions. Now, don't get me wrong here- I can't say there has been a time I have gone to Ladder and not had the time of my life. If you're social enough for it, this bar is a place to go with your closest friends to see basically all of your friends on campus. With that being said, Ladder gets PACKED on the weekends, which means hundreds of college students are consuming alcoholic beverages, which eventually will require a trip to the bathroom. At Ladder, however, a trip to the bathroom can feel much like a nice little vacation, because the line can be wrapped around the bar within seconds. If anyone who works at Ladder reads this, hint hint. WE NEED MORE BATHROOMS.
6. Market Pointe vs Center Court.
Another food battle, this time with campus dining. Market Pointe food would definitely take the W here, but their downfall is that they are closed on weekends. Center Court, despite having slightly less appealing food, is pretty central to the dorms and campus in general, and is open on weekends. For freshman, deciding between going to Center Court for dinner on a Saturday or paying to go out could be a "break the bank" decision. Both have their ups and downs, but every upperclassmen would give anything to have the meal plan again.
7. The line at the Chipotle on West McMillan is always super long at any time of day.
11:30am? Line to the door. 2pm? Line to the door. 8:37pm? Line out the door. I'm not sure there has ever been a time where I have stood in the line at Chipotle for less than 10 minutes. Oh well, Chipotle is life.
8. NEVER try to go to the rec between the hours of 5-7pm.
Why UC only has one recreational center is beyond me. As a growing university, we NEED more space for all of the students who are trying to be healthy and get their lives together. Between 5-7pm, especially Monday-Thursday, finding a machine you would like to use or an open mat space is nearly impossible. These hours are the worst, but it always seems like the rec is packed. Hey new president, if you're looking to get in with the students... just an idea.
9. Mac n Cheese Monday at Keystone is the real deal.
You tell a college student that they can get a heaping amount of macaroni and cheese for half of the normal price, and they are there. Between the Cordon Lightfoot, Green Day, BB King, or the surprise Mac-of-the-Day, you really can't go wrong.
10. UC is the most beautiful campus on the face of the world.
Just walking through campus every day is amazing. Between the architecture of both the old and new buildings, and the little design aspects thrown in randomly around campus, every direction you look is unique and different. Not one building is the same as another. On beautiful days, it is pretty common to see students or faculty stop and take a picture of campus- it is really that great.
