We are in the final stretch of summer, only a few short weeks stand between me and junior year of college at my favorite place: Villanova. Sure all colleges are similar and everyone's excited to go back, but there are definitely some unique aspects to Nova that only it's students will truly understand. Whether it's food related or campus-related, there's something Villanovan that I'm sure you are missing too!
1. Zilly Fries
A decadence best served at 2 am on a Saturday night. Fries smothered in bacon, ranch, and mozzarella cheese made at our beloved CampCo. So bad for you yet so, so good.
2. Your Holy Grounds fix
Oh, how I can't wait to get my hands on a large iced green tea with pomegranate from our very punny coffee shop.
3. Conn Chicken Finger Wraps
Okay whoever figured out this hack deserves a million dollars. A fan favorite at the Belle Air Terrace: order chicken fingers from the grill line and then bring them over to the wrap line and bam, a delicious and not so nutritious dinner.
4. The umbrellas outside Conn/Cafe Nova
The multicolored umbrellas and tables that are out in the fall and spring mean warm weather and so. many. friends. You'll probably see everyone you know sitting under the umbrellas and will absolutely stalk a table down until it's available.
5. Cafe Nova southwest sauce
This sauce could cure cancer i'm convinced. I absolutely drench my Cafe Nova burrito bowl in this sauce at least twice a week.
6. The Exchange
Best. Food. On. Campus.
7. Church pics
8. So cheesy yet so beautiful. If you go to Nova, your camera roll is probably saturated with your sunset church pics but there's nothing wrong with that, it's a beautiful sight.
8. Pledge rides
Honestly, the ride is better than the party 9 times out of 10, there, I said it.
9. Doba happy hour
Nothing better than margs, chips, and queso!!
10. Basketball season
It's not winter, it's basketball season.
11. Jay Wright spottings
Usually spotted on his golf cart showing potential recruits around campus. I get excited every time.
12. Seeing everyone you know
When you go to a school this size, chances are when you are walking to class or grabbing some food or studying in the library you will see every person you have ever met on campus. Yes, even the ones you'd rather not see.
13. Crossing dirty Lanc
Okay, honestly this will never not be a pain in the ass but there's something comforting about the sound of the cross walk screaming "WALK SIGN IS ON". No... just me?
14. Suburban Square
One of my favorite places to go if you need to get off campus and feel like shopping, eating, or cycling. Home to our Sweetgreen, Not Your Average Joe's, Urban, Besito, Lulu Lemon, and Soul Cycle, i'm sure you can see why students are here more often than not.
15. Tolentine
Okay here me out, I know it's the worst building by far but it's such a staple on campus that I truly have a love/hate relationship with it. Except for the 4th floor because that I straight up hate.
16. Hoops Mania
Hoops should be a national holiday. It's our big way of starting off basketball season, basically a pep rally on steroids that finishes up with a celeb performer (Nicki Minaj, Wiz Khalifa...)
17. Father Peter
The dad of campus, a true shining star of our university.
18. First Watch
Sunday brunch has never looked better.
19. Late night
The culprit of everyone's freshman fifteen.
20. Not getting kissed under the arch
Still! Waiting!
21. Your friends
The people at Nova are truly like no other
22. Walking through the Oreo/quad on a sunny day
MY FAVORITE PART!! The sun is shining, music is bumping, everyones laying out or sitting under umbrellas and life.is.good.
23. The shuttle
My savior on cold/rainy/snowy/lazy/too hot days.
