Whether you resided in Ellicott or merely visited from time to time, we can all agree on knowing what makes the North Campus dorms so special. Here are five facts that will guarantee to take you back to your freshmen year.

1. Late Night Atrium

Or more specifically, late night Sizzles. Coming back from a long night out – or a night out in Lockwood, even – meant making it back to the dorms just in time for Late Night meal swipes. Nothing screams “a successful night” more than a grilled cheese with a side of seasoned fries. And if you got really lucky, you might have just scored a large Hot Box of chicken fries.

2. The Tragedy of Losing Your Room Key

So, maybe you weren’t like me and you kept track of your essential belongings. If that’s the case, either skip this fact or relish in my misfortune. However, if losing a room key does apply to you, I can say I truly feel your pain. I still don’t know what’s worse – having to pay the $80+ for a new key and exchanged door lock, or having to tell your parents about it.

3. Many, many,...many study spots

I’m not sure we all fully appreciated the numerous rooms and spaces throughout Ellicott that were dedicated to studying. Whether having used the Blake Center, the tables adjacent to the Fillmore lecture hall, or the third floor of the Richmond towers, we can all reconcile with knowing our luck to have such copious amounts of study space within our homes. Besides, being able to ride the elevator just a few floors down from our dorms beats trying (and failing, probably) to find a spot in Capen, right?

4. The Elli

The concept of having a pharmacy/grocery/convenient store as it is is beyond beneficial for any college student. Attach it to the dorms? You’ve got yourself a haven. I can’t exactly count the number of times The Elli came in handy, but it sure as hell did, and quite often at that. What’s better than having the ability to use your dining dollars on junk food and soda once your meal swipes run out? Nothing, that’s what.

5. Checking the C3 Menu

Neither breakfast nor dinner plans were made or confirmed until the menu at C3 was reviewed. Checking the menu was an essential part of our daily routines to prepare ourselves for the endless portions to come. We also needed to ensure we would make it to our favorite meals. You wouldn’t want to miss out on chicken wings either, right?