Freshman year is coming to a close and I can’t believe it. It seems like I just moved in three months ago, and that I’m still supposed to be one the new student who has no idea what they're doing. The past month I have seen countless potential students wandering around, looking slightly confused as they tour the campus and I realized that I feel like I belong here now, and I’m incredibly proud of the community I chose.
Looking back, I find it hilarious that for the longest time I was so embarrassed by our mascot. I would wear the Class of 2019 shirt to high school, and my friends would ask me why there was a giant arachnid on my back. Whenever someone asked me what my mascot was, I would say, “The Spiders” and immediately follow it up with, “It’s a weird mascot I know, but it’s unique, it’s the only college that has that mascot!” Now I am proud to say “The Spiders” and I don’t feel the need to explain because I know it means a lot more than just a creepy crawly insect.
The University of Richmond is an amazing place. Not only is it ranked 32 for “Best Liberal Arts Colleges” in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, but it’s eighth in the Princeton review for “Best Career Services” and The Robins School of Business is ranked sixteenth nationally by Bloomberg Businessweek. But this isn’t what I mean when I say I’m proud. Richmond has so many unique things that make it such a great place to be, and here are a few of them:
Proclamation Night
This is a beautiful tradition for freshman girls. University of Richmond seniors join the freshmen for a candlelit ceremony celebrating the membership of Westhampton College. We got to write encouraging letters to our senior selves, and we got to hear some seniors read their letters from freshman year to themselves. (There’s a similar ceremony for the men, called Investiture.)
Snow days (Snowstorm Jonas)
Besides the joy of missing class, sledding off the hill by Boatwright was an experience like nothing else. I don’t get to sled where I’m from and although it didn’t always go as planned (I may have wiped out), it was fun. Especially because with the exception of Jonas, there’s barely any snow and it’s still easy to get around campus, so it's pretty much a free day off.
Dhall desserts
Just about everything they have to offer makes it the best and worst at the same time, because it takes so much strength to walk by without grabbing something. As the tour guides say, there's a rumor that a million dollars is spent on it a year. I wouldn't be surprised.
The Geese
You have to admit, although sometimes slightly terrifying, they make campus that much more entertaining and unpredictable. For the most part, they are harmless, just walking around and eating, with the occasional road block.
Midnight munchies
I’m still not sure what it was exactly, but who doesn’t love stressed out UR students dancing with free ice cream and fried food at 12 a.m. during finals?
Carytown
If you don’t go off campus much, you still have been to Carytown more times than you can count. It’s a cute little downtown of its own, with multiple boutiques and great places to eat. Carytown Cupcakes and Galaxy Diner milkshakes are to die for. If you want real food, Mellow Mushroom, Burger Bach and pretty much any other diner is amazing. The thai food places are also excellent, and if you’re looking for a fancier dinner, Can Can has the best French food.
The yellow bikes
It’s a campus wide obsession. On the first day of classes they were in excess, and now it’s hard to find one. If you do, it’s usually missing a tire or a seat. Where do they go? That’s the mystery, but most of them are at the bottom of the lake by now.Dressing up for lodges
Most colleges don't have themed parties every weekend. It saves you from having to dress up nicely, and you have an excuse to wear some pretty odd and wacky outfits.
International commons
My favorite study spot when it isn’t cold or rainy. It’s so peaceful and beautiful, and I always get so much work done there. Having Passport Café right next to you makes all the difference, especially when you get their sandwiches or gelato.
Stolen exit signs
Even though Richmond isn’t particularly proud of this habit some students tend to adopt, I think it’s hilarious. Pretty much every week The Collegian’s Police Report mentions multiple stolen exit signs from various dorms.
These are only a small amount of things that I found memorable from my freshman year. There is so much more that I could list, but if you're considering coming here you'll find out some for yourself! If you already go here, then you certainly have many things of your own that you love about Richmond.
