The captivating pictures of Wilson Hall and the Quad lie on every JMU brochure luring potential students in. The gorgeous bluestone dorms are at the top of everyone’s list and no one wants to be placed in the dreaded Eagle Hall or heaven forbid, East Campus. Here is what you learn from living on the forgotten sides of JMU.
1. You must set aside at least 20 minutes to walk anywhere and arriving drenched in sweat.
By the time you arrive to class, you will be drenched in sweat. Whether it is 90 degrees or 20 degrees, always layer on the deodorant before you make the hike to your classes.
2. Layers are the key to success. It is colder on East Campus than it is on the Quad.
There is a temperature difference between East Campus and the Quad. It's the equivalent to Elsa's Ice Castle and Arendelle. One is freezing and windy, and the other is bright and warm. Wear layers and you always prepared!
3. ECL is the best! When a library is this beautiful, you don’t mind studying.
Whether you choose to sit by the window, in a cubby on the second floor, or tucked away in a corner, ECL is the best! Equipped with whiteboards, Starbucks, plenty of printers, and everything else imaginable, it's a great place to crack open the books!
4. You must delete all the apps on your phone to make room for pictures of the sunsets.
The sunsets from Lakeside and East Campus are something else and everyone is picture worthy! Get ready for your phone to become overwhelmed with sunset pictures!
5. Trying to catch a bus to Main Campus and them all being full.
Nothing is worse than having to catch a bus to get to your class on the Quad and the buses are full - it's even worse when they are filled with people taking the bus 100 yards.
6. Lakeside is right along Greek Row!
Greek Life at JMU is huge and who wouldn't want to be right in the middle of all the festivities! Whether your apart of Greek life or not, it is fun to see everyone coming together to give back to JMU and the Harrisonburg community!
7. Mrs. Greens is a dining option in the Lakeside Area that has tons of healthy option!
A "hidden gem" at JMU, Mrs. Greens is a great place to grab something to eat, if you are in a rush or don't feel like walking to a dining hall!
8. East Campus is a giant wind tunnel.
The picture says it all.
9. East Campus is great for science majors!
Science majors have most of their classes on East Campus. Nothing is better than having an 8:00 a.m., rolling out of your bed at 7:55 a.m., and you still get to class 2 minutes early.
10. Being on the Quad and seeing ISAT and crying silently, because you must walk all the way over there.
After finishing a long day of classes, all you want to do is crash in your bed and watch "The Office." Having to make the journey back to East Campus can be depressing and tiring. But hey! You are one step closer to beating the Freshman 15!
11. Lakeside is close to the Quad, however, beware of the "death stairs!"
Lakeside is in a central location on campus! It's right in the middle of the Quad and East Campus, however you have to face the "death stairs" to get to the Quad and hills to get to East Campus. Everyday is leg day at Lakeside.
12. Sleeping in on a Game Day isn’t an option, be prepared to wake up to "Start Wearing Purple."
13. Bless you if you're living without air conditioning.
A/C is a human right- plain and simple. Until October, Lakeside residents submerge themselves in fans and water hoping to receive some relief from the heat.
14. UREC is super close for Lakeside and East Campus residents!
You can sneak in that run before class, log your hours for your HTH 100 class, or just grab a smoothie from Freshens! Being close to UREC is a huge perk and your body thanks you!
15. Walking across I-81 on the phone with your mom, and having to scream so she can hear you.
"Mom, I'm walking across 81 you have to talk louder." We have all been there, looking like a fool screaming into your phone that's plastered against your ear hoping your mom can hear you.
16. The bus app is your friend.
Nothing is better than avoiding a long walk, plus the bus drivers are amazing and you get to meet some great people on the bus!
17. Waking up early to go to brunch because once 11 o’clock strikes, kids will be coming in swarms from main campus.
It looks like a scene out of "The Walking Dead" with herds of people rushing to E-Hall. Don't bother trying to get a waffle after 11 o'clock, you are doomed.
18. Eagle Hall is 8 floors of terror.
The elevator is known to break frequently, and walking 8 flights of stairs without AC is no one’s cup of tea.
19. East Campus is only a ten-minute walk from Walmart, Best Buy, Barnes and Noble, Panera, Chipotle, and Bed, Bath and Beyond!
You are closer to Walmart than you are to the Quad. If you ever need food, shampoo, or just need to get off campus, then you are only a short walk away from a shopping center!
20. Showker is close to Lakeside for business majors!
Memorial is to education majors, as Shower is to business majors. You will live at Showker, therefore living close by is a huge perk!
21. The land bridges on East Campus are a great short cut, however, beware of the geese.
The land bridges can be a quick shortcut until the geese decide you aren't welcomed anymore.
22. E-Hall is the best and it’s less than 100 yards from your dorm.
JMU food is amazing and having E-Hall in your backyard is beyond a blessing.
Finally, you get to experience a side of JMU that is typically neglected - how awesome is that! While you may not have AC, or have a 20-minute hike to all your classes, you have the rare opportunity to experience all of JMU.
Whether you are braving the wind on East Campus or thriving in the “Dirty Birdy” you will always love JMU and eventually come to love your “home.” When it comes down to it, it’s not about where you live, as much as who you live with, that makes all the difference!
