Warning: You will get in huge trouble if caught performing these actions. This writer does not condone of the following.
During our tenure at Providence College, we can’t help but want to accomplish legendary spectacles. We crave activities that give us that adrenaline rush that brings us away from the dull part of our lives that involves civ lectures and final exams. Have you ever walked around campus and thought of the possibilities? We all want the bragging rights of doing a crazy stunt on campus that amazes others. The stories you take from college are not the ones that have to do with schoolwork, but the absurd events you and your friends did outside the classroom on Friday and Saturday nights (or weekday nights, if you are bold enough). These stunts are what make the memories you cherish and keep for the rest of your life. You’ll be sitting with your friends 30 years from now, still reminiscing with them about how the time you felt like stealing bagels from Raymond Hall was a covert operation because your friend was lookout while you stuffed the bagels in your backpack (or under your sweatshirt if you are me).
I have had my share of adventures in the two years I have been at PC, and during my time here, I have thought about some things you could do that are definitely not recommended while on your tour of the campus.
1. Jumping in the koi pond.
My latest adventure was literally “swimming with the fishes.” Yes, I have jumped in the koi pond, not because I wanted to swim, but because it’s something you don’t do normally. I mean, who hasn’t walked down near the art buildings and thought, I’m going to jump in that! Well, eventually your adventurous side will get the best of you, and you’ll grab your bathing suit (or just go in your underwear) and jump on in. The water is warm, and the fish are most certainly not biting. I’m actually not sure if there are fish in there because I didn’t feel anything when I jumped in. And don’t worry about drowning because the water only went up to my waist. So during the fall and spring grab some friends, strip to your skivvies, and don’t dive, but jump in. But make sure when you’re done you run up to your dorm and shower immediately because you’ll feel disgusting since it’s filled with pond scum.
2. Streaking.
Fans of the movie "Old School" would appreciate this one. PC may not be a big campus once you get used to it, but if you decide to streak, a foot becomes a mile. I personally have never streaked, and I am deathly afraid of it, but it is something that happens, especially during Civ Scream. During this event, we see a few naked people here and there running around and away from security. Streaking is something only the bravest of the brave would do because there are drastic repercussions, including having the title “sex offender” added to your name. A nearly impossible feat since security is always driving around campus and posting at quads during major events (such as the PC Men's Ice Hockey team winning the National Championship). If you do decide to streak, I have one piece of advice for you: run fast.
3. Getting on the roof of a building.
McVinney would have the best view of campus all around since it is the tallest, but any building would do if you could get on top of it. Imagine you and your friends finding an unlocked door to a stairwell and soon enough you are looking at the night sky from on top of Slavin or Koeffler, feeling like the rulers of the world and that nothing can stop you. You can’t help but yell Leonardo DiCaprio's infamous "Titanic" line, “I’m the king of the world,” at the top of your lungs. I’ve seen it before, and I have yet to attempt this action. But from what I saw, being on top of a building gives you a good amount of adrenaline with a sense of peacefulness that comes from seeing everything from a bird’s eye view.
4. Stealing a tray from Alumni Food Court to go sledding.
Now this is something my roommates did. During the blizzard in January, I was sitting in my room waiting for friends to come over for a get-together. But, instead of our friends, my roommates ran into the door, and in one of their hands is a food tray. Then they begin to tell a story of how they went sledding down Guzman Hill along with a few other people on campus. We kept that tray for the remainder of the year and used it whenever it snowed. It may have been one of the greatest finds that my roommates recovered, and if possible, you should get your hands on one. As college students, we do not usually pack sleds or anything when it snows, and I’ve seen fellow students grabbing whatever they can find from mattresses to garbage can covers; but nothing worked as well as the tray. It was awesome to get a makeshift sled because it makes us feel like kids again, washing away the thoughts of responsibility for a few mere moments.
5. Going into the tunnels.
Yes, the final thing on this list is the area that everyone knows through the stories that have been passed down every year. Legend has it that the tunnels would be used to transport patients in the mental institution that used to be lower campus. What is now left of the institution are the ghosts that haunt the tunnels and Dore Hall. Now, when the average college student hears “haunted tunnels,” they make a plan on how to get in. I’m not telling you, readers, to go in the tunnels because if you do, and you’re caught, there are dire consequences including possible expulsion. But how cool would you be if word got out that you went through the tunnels undiscovered by Safety and Security and the possible ghosts who live down there? Seriously, I’ve seen an entrance to the tunnels, and looking in the dimly lit, brick-laid tunnel, it just screams something out of the film "Grave Encounters." Yes, I have seen the inside of the tunnels from the outside, and I must tell you, it gave me the creeps, but it also gave me the thought of how exciting it would be to go in. Hey, if you go in, you might even see the ghosts that once occupied the campus ... or you might never return.
Everyone has their own thoughts on the daring deeds you could do on the campus of Providence College. These are just a few things fellow “adventurers” might like. If I missed any, feel free to tell me because I would love to see how creative (and devious) my fellow classmates are.
