Washington and Lee University has a lot of different aspects that make it unique when compared to other schools. This list contains 10 elements that make the hard classes, all-nighters and stress that come with attending a school like W&L worth it. It's impossible not to fall in love with the school when you think about everything that it encompasses, and I'm about to prove it to you.
1. Co-op's loaded fries
These hot, greasy fries with melted cheese and bacon might be the sole culprit for the freshman weight gain. They keep us going through those all-nighters or keep us alive after a night out. Don’t forget to dip them in ranch.
2. The Outing Club
Camping, hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, you name it, they’ve got it. If you go to Washington and Lee and you haven’t been to the Outing Club barn, then you need to change that ASAP. Just stepping inside, I felt like I could go climb Mount Everest or move to a campsite in the woods from my warm, brick sorority house. This is really an organization that students enjoy and it should be taken advantage of before it’s too late and senior year cuts your time short.
3. The mountains
You don’t have to be a tree-hugging hippie to appreciate the beautiful scenery that surrounds our campus. The mountains are in view 24/7 and awesome hikes are under an hour away. If you’re stressed, the perfect remedy is driving deep into the country, with the windows down, and music blasting. The way the mountains look against the sky and the rolling hills will turn any day around.
4. Floating down the Maury
This is like nature’s own lazy river. There is nothing better than sitting in your inner tube on a beautiful day in spring term, sipping a cold beer (only if you’re 21, obviously), and floating past the pole houses, where people are hanging out, playing music, and throwing footballs. This should definitely be in the top five things of your W&L bucket list.
5. Spring term
Not many other schools get to take one class for four weeks. This is a wonderful opportunity for the freshman 15 (or 20) to hit you square in the face if it hasn’t already. We love it; the darties (a.k.a. day parties, for you less-inclined), the CookOut milkshakes, the laziness, the weather, the Maury.
6. The professors
Our professors actually take the time to learn our names and invest in our lives outside of class. Athletes will tell you that some of their professors are their number one fans. This is such a unique fact and it separates W&L from other universities where professors are so far removed from their students, they probably wouldn’t notice if one dropped off the face of the earth.
7. The honor system
This is the foundation for W&L as an institution. Cheating, in general, is dishonorable so this system is really not asking that much. In exchange for simply being good people and students, we get to go to school in a community that is built on trust and honor. You can leave your laptop pretty much anywhere on campus and know that it will still be there when you come back. You’re absurd if you do that at a big state school. As if that isn’t cool enough, our professors trust us so much that they let us take our exams at home, and at our own convenience. I can deal.
8. Sweet Things ice cream
The Oreo cookie is heaven in a cone, and everyone knows it. If you mention Sweet Things, the first comment will most likely be about the Oreo ice cream. Any time you’re looking to treat yourself, this is the place to go. Get the double scoop.
9. Lexco
Everyone secretly wants a coffee mug on the wall in Lexco. There’s just something about sitting in the back room, drinking good coffee from your own mug. This is a prime spot for homework, rush dates, meetings, or any other excuse you could need for a Lexco coffee.
10. The speaking tradition
A lot of people you talk to on campus say that this was one of the reasons they chose W&L over other schools. It’s nice to know that as you’re walking from class to class, people will say “hey” and ask how you’re doing. It’s also nice to know that people won’t think you’re creepy for saying “hi” even if you don’t know them.
