When I got to Wilson, I knew nothing about the college or the town that surrounds it. I'm from Massachusetts and had no idea what a "Giant" was or a "Sheetz run." First thing my dad did when we visited was check out the closest convenience store - he was shocked to find no alcohol (#collegeparentoftheyear) and that was just the beginning of the differences between home and college. Turns out not everyone gets excited when there's "Clam Chowdah" in the dining hall or when you finally find your "Cah Keys," but they do get excited when they learn, "You can't actually pahk your cah in Havahd yahd." From an MA girl to the next out of state freshman, here are some help bits of knowledge you should know before you head to the strange state of PA...
1. A "Sheetz Run" is an impromptu, after midnight, break from studying that turns into the best memories!
Sheetz is a gas station that also makes really yummy food that is perfect for studying, missing the dining hall times, and hangovers.
2. The "PO" is short for Post Office
You may start out calling it the post office but I give it a week before you're calling it the "po" as well.
3. Ghost Hunting is a normal past time
Wilson is a pretty interesting college with it's ghost population, just ask some upperclassmen about their experiences I can guarantee they've had them. Don't worry most of the ghosts are nice!
4. There are only 6 places open 24 hours
Giant, Walmart, Sheetz, Rutters, Denny's, and the Chambersburg Diner (I'd recommend the mozzarella sticks, or the chicken parm panini!)
5. Parties exist only at Ship
Wilson is pretty tiny, the likelihood of your neighbors being cool with a party at 1 am even on a Friday is quite low. If you're gonna go, don't go alone, use Chambersburg City Cab (717) 261-1538, and let someone know where you are. Have fun but party safe!
6. Students are quite odd
From students in full dragon costume to field hockey players donning war paint, our students are very unique. You'll find us climbing trees hiding banners, forming ghost hunting groups, and screaming a strange chat at each other in the middle of the dining hall. We are a group of oddballs but we are a family to each other. When one of us is being attacked we all will defend our students, so bring it!
7. So are the Staff
Our staff will burst into the Pokémon theme song randomly, get into water gun fights with students, and have students dancing the Macarena on a table for a Klondike bar (Hey, he asked us what we would do). Our professors and staff love our college and you can find them participating in our traditions and handing out candy when you accidentally knock on their door at Halloween. They might be a little surprising when you get to know them!
8. TRADITIONS! TRADITIONS! TRADITIONS!
Wilson's traditions are a core value of the college. We love our campus traditions and have a blast with them every year! From Dean's Day to the Daisy Chain who needs Greek Life when the whole college is a sorority?
9. DO NOT Steal the Senior's Banner (unless you're an odd)
Seniors are quite protective of their Banner and be prepared to face stony silence in the dining hall the next day.
9. Alcohol is only sold at bars and liquor stores
In PA the liquor laws are pretty intense so don't expect to be drinking like crazy, like what the movies say!
10. Get involved!
Students at Wilson are involved in a minimum of three clubs, most of us are also officers, presidents, representatives of the student body. Getting involved creates some great relationships between yourself and staff and faculty that can come in handy later on.
11. Sherri is not that scary
Our ResLife Director can look terrifying but in reality she's one of the greatest allies you can have! From helping you out with roommate drama to calling you about Pokémon Go, Sherri is one you can talk to for hours about everything and nothing!
12. Calories are afraid of heights
From sending out teasing emails about the weather in China to storing personality oreos on the top shelf, you never know what our Academic and Student Deans will do. From getting in the dunk tank to hanging with their dog on campus we're never sure what they'll get into next. If you get the chance to know them, do it! This dynamic duo loves us students and will keep talking with us as long as possible (so make sure you aren't in a time crunch!).
13. "Black Squares of Death"
Ah the black tiles in front of the Science Center (aka "Black Squares of Death). It's honestly best to learn to walk around them because as soon as they become wet, you can bet that someone is going to slip and fall!
14. Everyone knows Everyone
Secrets just aren't a thing at Wilson. This campus is so small it's bound to find out about the drama in your friend group. It's best to just ignore it and shut down and rumors. Eventually everything will die down, just got to ride it out.
15. Not everyone is Vet-Tech
Believe it or not, there are other majors besides Vet-Tech and Equine. Don't you worry you'll meet plenty of people in your major and have plenty of friends that don't share your major. Wilson's small campus and liberal arts education lets you get to know about other classes and courses that just might change your mind...
16. You'll learn about horses, whether you like it or not
Sorry everyone, unfortunately Wilson is still an Equine school and many of the student board their horses on campus. Odds are you're going to end up getting used to the smell and learning more then you ever wanted to know about horses.
17. Odds rule!
Okay maybe I might be biased, this might be because I'm a pirate, and maybe because I'm a senior, but oh well... Sorry Evens the odds just aren't in your favor...
