Dear Freshmen,
No offense, but we will laugh at the things you will do and the questions you will ask the first week of school. However, I was in your shoes just a year ago. So enjoy the laughter and know that you will laugh at the freshmen after your freshman year is over. Here are some of the funny and idiotic questions that my friends and I asked during our first week of school:
1. Where are all the trashcans?
There are pretty much no trashcans on campus. Ironic, right? Ithaca is so green and gorges, but trashcans are very scarce. An amazing thing that you will be introduced to at Ithaca is compost! You’ll probably be left asking yourself, “What the heck is compost?!” I mean I didn't really know exactly what to compost or how to compost. But, don’t fret. There is a person who stands by the trash every day in Campus Center letting people know what to do with their garbage! They are truly the real MVPs. I now understand why we pay over $58,000 dollars in tuition.
2. So, Bonus Bucks and ID Express aren't the same thing?
No, but they might as well be. Honestly, I could not even tell you the difference between the two. My mother asks me all the time what can be used for what, and I really do not know. I really don’t. My advice is to just have enough of both. I am pretty sure that Bonus Bucks are for food (except for vending machines), and ID Express is for food and everything else.
3. Where can I find condoms?
How intrusive. That’s such a personal question. Just kidding. Everyone is so open in college, including the RAs. Condoms are in a brown bag … taped to the wall … in the communal bathroom. Just try not to get caught digging through the bag trying to find the kind you want. If someone catches you, that can spark an escalating and awkward conversation.
4. So, Emerson Suites and Emerson Hall aren't the same thing?
Yeah, this is a bit confusing. Emerson Suites are inside Campus Center on the second floor. A lot of events are held at Emerson Suites, like internship fairs, rush nights and club fairs. In addition, concerts are held in Emerson Suites. Yes, Jeremih did come to Ithaca last year. I did go to the concert, and it was a blast! Emerson Hall is a residential building, which is mostly for sophomores. So, showing up there for a concert would be a non-event, and you would also look pretty silly.
5. So, we won't get a snow day?
I hate to break this to you. I really do. We, like, never get snow days. It’s supposed to snow a foot tomorrow? Eh, no problem. Do your homework and be prepared for classes even if it is supposed to blizzard. People will mock you if you think that a snow day is possible.
6. Where is the party at?
This question is asked way too frequently. I think that Ithaca’s parties are extremely underestimated. Never have I ever had trouble with finding something to do on the weekends. I have heard that Cornell is fun. There are frats and such, which seem nice. However, you really do not need to go to Cornell for a party unless you want to. The “underground” frats from Ithaca have parties, which are always a blast. But, there is always something to do whether you go out with your friends or just chill and watch Netflix. I never get bored at Ithaca. There can be a party anywhere you want there to be.
7. What are Ithacalves?
There are many hills in Ithaca. Terrace Dining Hall is up on a hill. Trust me, you will all want to go to Terrace Dining Hall because that dining hall has the best food. I mean good food for a dining hall. We all joke that your calves will get bigger and stronger by walking around campus. Climb those hills and work those calves. Freshman 15 all to those muscular calves isn’t so bad, right?
8. Where did the fountains go?
The fountains are on at the very beginning of the school year. They then disappear during the long winter season because they would freeze. Yes, it is that cold. They don’t make their reappearance until the very end of the year. I actually don’t even remember seeing them at the end of the year last spring. So, they are barely on. So, get your Instagram worthy picture of the fountains at the beginning of the school year because before you know it they will be gone and the snow will be here!
9. What is a Cortaca?
Cortland. Ithaca. Cortaca. It’s the “biggest” football game of the season. Duh. Cortland is apparently our rival even though we usually lose. Pretty much everyone just gets really drunk, so no one really remembers the game anyway. I guess that is a good thing, so that when we lose we don't feel the pain. I did not even go last year, but people say it is fun. Well, those who remember it, say it is fun.
10. There has to be a better way to get to Commons, right?
To be completely honest, the best way to get into the Commons may be by foot. The TCAT is a good mode of transportation, but sometimes it takes a while for it to arrive. There are TCAT stops at Park, Towers and Circle Apartments. When it isn’t freezing out, walking to Commons is quite refreshing. Hint: Walk down from the back of campus by the Garden Apartments, there's a sidewalk the whole way so you're way less likely to get run over by a car than if you walked down Danby Road.
11. What the f**k is the ICC?
Integrative Core Curriculum. You are pretty much going to be taking classes that have nothing to do with your major. But it will make you a better student in the long run. Well, at least that’s what I am told. But actually I liked the classes I have taken for my theme so far. We all complain about ICC, but this core curriculum is better than what other colleges do. I am going to be a sophomore, and I only have one more class to take before I complete the ICC theme requirements.
12. Aren't we supposed to wear our lanyards around our neck?
So, I put my student ID on my lanyard on move-in day. And then I thought it was a good idea to put this around my neck. I was so psyched to be rocking my new ID necklace. Then I looked at Yik Yak and realized that it was clear that we were freshmen if we wore our lanyards around our necks. So, I took it off my neck and decided to put it in my backpack. Wear your lanyard as a necklace for only the first week of school so that we all know you are a freshman. After the first week you can take it off and blend in with the rest of us.
Don’t ever think we are making fun of you if you ask a funny question. We have been there and done that. It is just funny when you aren’t a freshman anymore because you can make fun of the freshmen. Consider it a rite of passage for each and every one of you. Anyways, I hope you all have a great year and enjoy all that Ithaca has to offer.
