1. Making the walk from Al Mag to Smith.
Nothing compares to that sinking feeling in your heart when you look at your schedule and realize that not only do you have back-to-back classes, but you have to make the walk to Albertus Magnus to Smith Center of the Arts in 10 minutes. Besides the fact that this walk is at least 12 mintues unless you’re going that awkward speed between walking and running, no matter what season it is you will be sweating visibly by the time you get there.
2. The Dunkin Donut and/or Starbucks lines.
While the Dunkin Donuts webcam was one of the best things Providence ever provided us with, that still doesn’t make waiting in line any better. Between the morning, mid morning, early afternoon, afternoon, late afternoon, evening and late night rush at Dunkin', there is no way to escape this dreadful waiting. As far as Starbucks is concerned, the only way to avoid those lines is by sneaking out in the middle of class to grab a snack and coffee because there’s no chance of a short line during passing time in the middle of Ruane.
3. Lack of alumni funds.
Yes, this is our own fault, but that doesn't make the struggle of budgeting your alumni money any less real. It’s a really hard thing to do because there is just never enough to last the semester.
4. Misplacing your ID card.
OK, so this one is our fault too, but they are really small. These brand new card holders that go on the back of our phones have really helped us out, but that doesn’t change the fact that this card holds within it your access to food, shelter and sometimes your bank account. Losing this single item basically makes you a starving homeless beggar who has to ask around for extra guest swipes to get into Ray, and no one likes that guy. Lastly, paying $20 for a new one with the same old sweaty picture of you from freshman move-in day is a budget game-changer for us (That’s two whole trips to Chipotle!).
5. Parietals.
Nothing says college like getting to have whoever you want stay with you whenever you want and vise versa. Nothing says Providence College like “Do you live in this building?” “Can I have your name, phone number, ID Card, visitors pass and room number?” “Be back down here by midnight, or we will call and come knock on your door to find you.” (Thank goodness this was really only enforced in the freshmen buildings.)
6. Figuring out housing for any given year.
“Housing Lottery” is a phrase that you’ll hear for about three weeks non-stop at the beginning of second semester. It’s a chance to really find out who your real friends are ... just kidding ... kind of. This process is not only stressful, but also a time that many conspiracies are born about how Providence Res Life defines and upholds the “lottery” portion of this phrase. Not to mention that no getting the building you want is the same thing, emotionally, as when you find out that your favorite band broke up, and you missed their last concert for your great aunt’s birthday party (yes, the one who still doesn’t even know how to spell your name).
7. Cyberfriar meltdowns
It just so happens that Cyberfriar decides to be moody on the morning of class registration, every single semester. While they are constantly sending us emails about how we can't use Cyberfriar from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. due to renovations, there still is no way to avoid these meltdowns. This is something that as a Providence College student you have just learned to accept. There will be no classes left that you wanted by the time the system lets you log in, and you just have to be OK with that. (As you’re typing your emails to get over enrolled before even being allowed to log in).
8. Relying on the RIPTA
You can’t.
9. Mascot Problems
Not only do half the people you come in contact with have to ask you what a friar even is, but then when you finally come across someone who does know what it is, all they have to say is how they read that it was the No. 1 scariest mascot in the country. Cool, thanks guy.
10. Guzman Hill
This hill is never friendly going up or down, winter, summer or any season in between. Going down this hill specifically in the winter is just asking to completely wipe out and slide all the way down to the end. Going up in the same has the same affect as climbing Mt. Washington. (So I’ve been told — I’ve never personally climbed Mt. Washington, but after Guzman Hill, I never want to.)
11. Getting a package on Saturday
Who has the patience to wait until Monday? NO ONE. (Also, I really wanted to wear that shirt I bought with the money I didn’t have this weekend).
12. Temperature.
You better pray that your housing lottery goes well, or else you’ll be in a building with no AC, meaning you immediately become a puddle of sweat the second you walk into your room. In the winter, you have to email FixIt four different times before they finally come and turn on your heat because it just so happens that your room is the only one in the building who wasn’t getting heat for the last two weeks during that blizzard. Oh, and don’t even get me started on the shower temperatures.
13. Cab Stealers
Thankfully, Uber and Lyft have both been helping this struggle immensely, but it still does happen. If you steal other people’s cabs, you know who you are, and there is a special place in Hell for you. Also — stop doing that.
14. Big Tony’s
If you go to Providence College, then you have had Big Tony’s. If you have had Big Tony’s, you’ve experienced multiple struggles in one. Not only does it take what seems like three hours to get to you, but also you have to walk all the way to one of the entrance gates to get this meal you have been waiting so long for.
15. Western Civilization (DWC)
Western Civ is the bane of every Providence College student’s existence. Being forced to take this course for four long semesters is nothing that anyone really looks forward to. While in the very end, weeks and weeks after your final final Civ exam, you can appreciate what you learn, during these four semesters, this is your greatest struggle at Providence.
