Being a freshman at the University of Tennessee is an awesome experience. One thing that makes it so awesome is living on campus. The dorms aren't the nicest, but dorms aren't going to be very nice anywhere you go. As you get older, you may find houses and apartments in the Fort or across the river or really anywhere on campus that are bigger and nicer, but there's just something about Pres Court that can't be beat. If you were fortunate enough to live in Humes, Reese, North Carrick or South Carrick, here's a list of three reasons why you'll remember what made Pres the best, and if you're living there now, don't take it for granted.
1. The P.O.D Market
P.O.D Markets are all around campus, but having one 30 seconds away from your dorm is the best. Having a bad day? Take five steps and buy that pint of Ben and Jerry's. Rough morning? Grab yourself a Gatorade and some Ibuprofen on the way to class (if you make it that far). Also, spending your dining dollars doesn't even feel like you're spending real money, so you forget how expensive everything is.
2. There's never a dull moment
At any given hour, a.m. or p.m., something is always happening outside in Pres Court. Especially when the weather's nice. You'll see hammocks hanging up in trees, people running around tossing a Frisbee or just hanging out and talking. During the winter, if we're lucky enough to get snow, there's always a big snowball fight happening right outside your window. There's also always an interesting array of people in Pres Court, too; go talk to one of them. You might meet your new best friend.
3. Your close proximity to campus
This is one of the things I miss most about good old Pres. Even though the walk to class is 10 minutes at least, usually longer, it's closer than pretty much everywhere else you'll live over the next few years. Everything is in walking distance. If you don't want to walk, the bus picks you up right outside your dorm and takes you pretty much anywhere on campus.
4. Presidential Building Cafeteria
So maybe the food wasn't the best all the time, but it's a nice break if you're tired of Chic-fil-A or Subway. And there's one thing that PCB does better than anyone else: the dessert bar. I know you all look at those cookies and that soft-serve machine every time you go in there.
So if you're living in Pres Court now, make the best of it; it's really not as bad as you may think it is. And if you're reminiscing about living there in years past, track down a freshman and make them guest pass you into PCB. You know you miss it.
