1. The Traditions
Don't walk on the Zodiac until after you graduate, unless you want to fail your next test!! I don't know if this one is actually true but I'm too scared to test it out.
Campaniling, whether it's mass-campaniling on homecoming at the stroke of midnight on a random night, this one is my favorite. And according to legend, a woman is never an official Iowa Stater unless they’ve campaniled!
Just like the next one, this one is better to do on a warmer day. Grab some friends and head to the Four Seasons fountain in front of the MU for a dip!
Curtiss to Beardshear. This one's pretty self explanatory and something everyone should try at least once, if you're brave enough.
2. The Greek Community
I may be biased, but I am so glad to be apart of such an amazing organization and community. The lengths that individuals in this community will do in order to support the community (Ames) that we are placed in is amazing. It's also a place where everyone can find their home and find a place where they can fit in. There are 17 sororities and 31 fraternities in CPC and IFC, along with countless NPC and Multicultural sororities and fraternities where anyone can find a home, just to name a few.
3. Bookends
Whether I’m studying in the library for finals, just a test or simply doing homework, you can always find me in bookends (the little cafè) at least once if not more. It's the perfect place to get coffee, refreshments or a late night snack. And if you haven't gone there, or even to the library in general, you truly are missing out.
4. Central Campus
Who’d have thought that a town in Iowa could hold something so beautiful and allegedly designed by the same individual who designed Central Park in New York City? I know when I was looking for colleges, Iowa State wasn't even on my list until I went for a visit and fell head over heels in love with Central Campus. Any season, spring, summer, fall or winter, there is nothing better than walking through campus to class. Unless you have to brace the Siberian Tundra aka the pathway between Curtiss and Catt Hall that leads straight towards the Library and is one of the windiest places on campus.
5. Late Night Meal Bundles
Thank God for meal swipes and chicken tenders.
6. The Dining Center
As a freshman, I was spoiled. I lived in Willow and Seasons was always just a couple floors away. From delicious breakfasts, the burrito line or the ice cream machine, Seasons was the greatest (and worst when it came to the Freshman 15) that I ever got the pleasure to experience.
7. Living in Dorms
Everyone is new, in an unfamiliar place and going through the same things as others around them. Being in the dorms made the transition from living at home and being in high school to living on a college campus much easier
8. Welch Ave (as long as you’re legal)
From getting Superdog, heading out for Dollars or Mugs to random trips to Kum & Go, Welch Ave is definitely a destination any Iowa Stater should look forward to visiting, even if it's off campus.
9. Hilton Magic
There is absolutely nothing like chanting with thousands of your classmates as Georges Niang (forever in our hearts) sinks a 3 against Iowa. Because **** the Hawks.
10. Football and Tailgate Season
Name a more iconic duo, I'll wait.
11. Rivalries
Whether it's the Hawkeyes or the Wildcats, nothing is better than the atmosphere that comes with a good rivalry match. The tension as the seconds tick down on the close, the chants and the cheers, the t-shirts and the jokes, nothing could be more thrilling.
These shaped my adventure at Iowa State, what's shaped yours?
