If you have ever made a little venture down to the little slice of heaven we call Charleston, you know how amazing it is that there is a college campus right in the middle of it all. College of Charleston has a variety of people, activities, and fun to offer. These are just a few. I felt ambitious and even alphabetized them. I hope everyone gets to experience at least a few of the things on this list because doing so has changed my daily routines for the better.
A- Addlestone Library
Where all good souls go to die; and by die… I mean study.
B- Benny Ravello’s
If you aren’t indulging in a pizza the size of two of your faces at 2 AM, what are you doing?
C- Cougar Mall Traffic
The worst place to be on a Monday at 8 AM? Cougar Mall. The second worst place is the intersection that gets you there.
D- Doors of the Maybank Bathrooms
You never know what you are going to get. Is it going to be a graffiti spiderman today or a body positive message?
E- Einstein’s Bagels
Whether you’re coming off your worst hangover or just craving the extra carbs… Einstein’s is always the answer.
F- Fire Drills in the Residence Halls
It is not a typical night in a dorm until the fire alarm goes off immediately after you start to get some much-needed shut-eye. It is all fun and games until you are outside in forty-five-degree weather at 3:27 AM.
G- Gilroy's
Mac n cheese bites with a large pizza to go... need I say more? Freshman fifteen turned into the freshman fifty in a matter of just a few short months. But, since we walked across the street to get pizza, that's exercise. Right?
H- Hikes to Harbor Walk
These are hands down the worst. It's not all that bad when it's a nice day outside until you are dripping in sweat by the end of it all. Not to mention when it is cold outside and you miss the shuttle.
I- ID Swipe-In
Let's not forget the most inconvenient part of dorm life... having to sign people in and out every single time you leave.
J- "Just a Southern thing I guess..."
Getting put in a dorm room with 3 girls from up north teaches you a thing or two.
K- Kicking yourself at the end of the semester for not making the most of this city
This goes both ways. However, when leaving for summer, thinking about all the activities there are to enjoy in this city, I could not help but get a little sentimental thinking about our three months apart.
L- Locking yourself out of your dorm or house
This is always the furthest thing from an ideal situation. Granted you have public safety there to give you a spare, but I cannot tell you how many times I nearly locked my original and spare key in my room.
M- Maroon Meals
This will undoubtedly be what I miss most about freshman year. Although, my thighs could have done without the surplus of asiago bagels from Einstein's.
N- Northerners
Coming to Charleston, you expect diverse groups of people. Take a pit stop at CofC and find more people from Boston and New Jersey than you ever knew existed.
O- Optimism about hearing back from study abroad programs
Chuck is paradise, but we also have the best study abroad programs available.
P- Parking Infractions
It does not matter what day of the week it is. You better be within the lines and abiding all driving laws, even in the parking garages.
Q- Quests to find the MOST picturesque spot
Good thing Charleston is filled with beauty.
R- Reality Checks post-weekend
It's hard to remember that you are here for more than just a fun time after a weekend in Charleston, simply because there is so much to do and so much fun to be had.
S- Spending money you do not have
Charleston is the pinnacle of spending money you think that you have, and then realizing you do not. What's not to want to buy?
T- Tourists
You always know which people do not live in Charleston, because they are most likely wearing a hat with the South Carolina palmetto tree and moon that they purchased at Walgreen's on King Street a few minutes prior to your run in.
U- Uber
You need it in Charleston. Whether you are willing to pay $6.29 to get from Saint Philip Street to Spring Street or $23.00 per trip to Folly Beach, I promise Uber never goes out of style — until you have $3.27 in your bank account that is.
V- Venues
Whether you have a birthday dinner to attend or just want to spend a night out, you will literally NEVER run out of top-notch venues.
W- Watching people take the chance of severe injuries driving a bike down Calhoun
All I'm saying is, if I ever bring a bike here, my helmet and various protection pads will be joining it.
X- X? Ex? Exams... whew.
At the end of your fun, you have exams waiting for you. However, exams are a lot more enjoyable with the amazing professors at College of Charleston accessible at your convenience.
Y- Young Couples
Need I say more? They are everywhere. Walking downtown Charleston makes me extremely self-aware of just how single I truly am.
Z- Zoomin' to make your left turn against oncoming traffic
You don't only have to watch out for cars, but also a number of disoriented college students trying to make their rounds.
Overall, if I did not love this city before, I am infatuated by it now. There is so much to experience, and I am thankful for three more years to start it all.