It’s almost time to make the big choice about where you can go and let’s be real for a second, during tours you don’t exactly hear the whole truth about things. Tours talk up the school show you around but you don’t really get a chance to see what the school is without rose colored glasses. I love Salem State University but It’s not what I assumed so here’s some things about Salem State if you’re thinking about coming here
1. Tons of people go home on weekends unless it's October.
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October is wild around here because this is a tourist destination, but a lot of people do go home if it’s not October, I personally live too far away to constantly go home but that isn’t the same for everyone else. What I’ve noticed is that tons of people are from neighboring towns and cities so they will go home and it will seem a little lackluster at first but if you make friends you forget that half your floor isn’t there. DID I SAY HALLOWEEN IS INSANE?
2. Things in Salem close early.
If you’re from a city like myself you’re use to things being open 24 hour and always having an open store buy. Here a lot of things close kind of early, downtown shows are usually closed down around 8. There is a CVS across from central campus that closes at 10 which is a pretty good time to get to things. THANK YOU CVS FOR HAVING EVERYTHING
3. North dining is better no if’s, and’s, or but’s, about it.
We have two dining halls on campus North Dining and Marsh, although Marsh has it’s perks of being bigger and being open later/ more days of the week, North is just Small enough for things to still have flavor and not be made in large bulk. Plus North dining has more drink flavors.
4. South Campus is dreaded by everyone.
If you’ve tour Salem State know that you’ve never seen South Campus, this isn’t saying South Campus is a bad thing but it is far walk if you live on North Campus and it’s 7 in the morning and your class starts at 8. South Campus is in fact avoidable, I’m going into my third semester and have not been on South Campus and I will not have to next semester.
5. There’s no AC in freshmen buildings.
Freshmen move in a few days earlier than the rest of campus and it will be hot. IT WILL BE HOT! Do not think because you’re moving in in August that you will not need a fan, you and your roommate will each want one. And once winter comes around the heat will be on full blast so keep those fans, you’ll thank me later.
6. Wi-fi can be frustrating
Ethernet cord or not there will be a time you want to smash your cellphone or your computer because of it. Come registration you will be frustrated due to the fact that Wi-fi is slow and has a high chance of crashing. So please be ready to run somewhere that isn’t crowded, I sugguest the library, and pray for the best.
7. Winters are tough
With coastal winds and the fact that it’s New England makes winter hard. The sea breeze really makes everything so much worse than it would be in central Mass, bundle up please for your sake.
8 . You will consume so much coffee
I don’t say this because you will be awake all night I say this because there is a Dunkin Donuts AND a Starbucks on Campus. There is a clear divide on who likes what but none the less there is tons of coffee everywhere, dining halls, door rooms, heck there’s usually a Keurig at any Outtakes on campus. Drink up.
9. A lot professors work in their field along with teaching
This is a blessing and a curse, and with that I mean they are wicked good at their jobs and teach it well, but that also means they may not always be available. Odds are the professor is on campus two days a week and has office hours those days but you might need an appointment.
10. Not everyone grows up right away
This goes for everywhere you go but people take freshmen as a stepping stone at best. Let’s be serious people are still going to talk, drama is still going to happen but you’ll quickly realize who has grown up and who hasn’t. That’s okay though, it’s most of us first time away from home so we sometimes lose self control. But regardless of all of this you'll love it here. So come to Salem State University and let this be your home away from home.
