Santa Cruz is known for being the home to the chillest, most laid-back people in California; in order to be a part of us you must follow these unwritten-until-now rules.
Eating alone in the dining hall is— get this—okay. No one thinks you’re a loner or a loser because we’ve all been there! Besides, food is so delicious in most of the dining halls (especially the College Nine/Ten and Cowell/Stevenson dining halls.) GO LATE NIGHT PIZZA!
The Metro buses are for going off campus. People will be more than slightly annoyed if you use the Metro buses just so you can get to the another place on campus—even more so if it’s within walking distance. On this note, don’t be the person who saves a seat for a backpack when the bus is completely full. Be a respectful human being; put your backpack on the floor and let someone sit in that seat.
If you’re taking selfies with the animals, which at some point you will find a deer and you will take a selfie with it, people will think you’re a first year. Yes, also please don’t feed the raccoons or go looking for mountain lions; animals are dangerous and people have been hurt by them before. Be smart, safe, and keep a reasonable distance from the creatures no matter how cute they are!
Do not pack up early because the scheduled end is coming up. This is not only disrespectful, but you distract the entire class. Plus, it creates a domino effect, you start packing up, and then the entire class will start packing up. No matter how quiet you think you are, please just wait until the end of the class.
Actively participate in class— don't be afraid to speak up during class discussions or during lectures. Professors love to hear what you have to say and will remember you when it comes down to grading at the end of the quarter.
There’s more than one way to have fun. Don’t be confined to someone else’s definition of a good time or fun. Do what makes you happiest. There are other people who have the same interests as you—even if you think those people don’t exist. This is Santa Cruz, we love everyone.
Seriously, you don’t need alcohol to have a good time. That said, you definitely can have a good time with pizza, friends, the forest—literally just being in Santa Cruz is an adventure.
Life in Santa Cruz is what you make of it; make the best out of your time here. Follow your heart and your mind. Chase your dreams and be a genuine, good human being. You only have one college experience. Live with no regrets.
