During the whirlwind of First Year Orientation, it's easy to get confused or forget a few details. Here are 10 things that every new student at William and Mary should know:
1. Pronunciation And Spelling Are Very Different
Many of the buildings on campus have funky names, borrowed from famous alumni and inspired by the French language.
A quick cheat sheet:
Ewell = Yule
Botetourt = bot-a-tot
Fauquier = foh-key-yay
Taliaferro = tall-iv-er
I know, it doesn't make sense.
2. Crim Dell v. Grim Dell
These are two very different dell/reservoir/pond-type things, but their names sound extremely similar to the untrained ear. The main difference, other than location, is that the Grim Dell, which sounds like Crim Dell, is much smaller and greener than the Crim Dell, which sounds like Grim Dell. The Crim Dell is a beautiful body of water that has a bridge with a legend. Two people who walk across it together are destined to get married. The Grim Dell is a decent-ish body of water containing foreign objects.
Above is a picture of the Crim Dell. The Grim Dell is not pictured because it is significantly less photogenic.
3. Watch Out For Bricks: They Can Trip You Up
Those pesky little bricks give our campus a historic vibe, but they try to trip a student at least once during their time on campus. It might be a good idea to look up from your phones and other hand-held electronic devices for a second just to familiarize yourself with your surroundings and decrease your probability of meeting an unfriendly brick.
4. People Like Trees
Nope, those creatures in the trees are not giant squirrels hiding in mutant banana peels. They are human students hanging out in hammocks.
(This photo is not from W&M, but the World's Largest Hammock Party. I bet the squirrels are jealous.)
5. Wawa Is Bae
If you wish to experience a place where absolute deliciousness and utmost convenience converge, go to Wawa. The very air surrounding Wawa is infused with the aroma of hot hoagies and clouds of fresh coffee.
6. Add/Drop Is When The Magic Happens
Registration can be a stressful time and some classes fill up pretty quickly. As passionate and dedicated scholars, William and Mary students can find this experience distressing. DO NOT WORRY. The month after registration is when the magic happens. Add/Drop is the most wonderful time of the semester--students can pick up the classes others drop, professors can grant overrides, and schedules can change at the drop of a three-cornered hat. Everything will be fine.
7. Embrace Your Inner TWAMP
TWAMP = Typical William and Mary Person. We all have nuggets of twampiness in our hearts--that's why we're here. Embrace your quirks and your passions and never be afraid to be yourself.
8. "One Tribe, One Family"
You'll hear it a lot on campus, but it's not just a phrase we throw around. William and Mary is a community of people who look out for one another and strive to act honorably. It may sound cheesy, but it's true. People really care about each other here. We are One Tribe, One Family and we are so excited to welcome you home.
