Hello, freshman. In late August you will be welcomed into the best place on earth, Marist College. Here is your personal guide to what's about to come:
1. We may be called the Red Foxes, but you will soon find out that we deserve to be called the Marist Groundhogs. Welcome the tons of groundhogs you spot around Marist onto your campus with open arms. If you manage to touch a groundhog before your freshman year finishes, then you, my friend, have just won freshman year.
2. I feel the need to inform you that you'll be going to Darby's every Friday night. Darby's is truly a magical place, and it will soon feel like home to you. Attire is somewhat casual, but you'll learn more about that once you're there. You'll order a fishbowl the first weekend and then realize that you spent a lot of money and never do it again. But, hey! At least the drink was good?
3. Saturday night and nothing to do? That will never happen because you'll be heading over to Union. Union is, surprisingly, large. Please don't get lost and don't go upstairs unless you're invited! Take advantage of the outdoor bar during the first few weeks of school because the weather is nicest then. Get ready to dance your face off.
4. Instagramming a photo of the rotunda is not a requirement, but we would highly recommend it. It took over a year for the new rotunda to finally be finished, so please show it some love. It's our prized possession.
5. You WILL lose your Marist ID at some point this year. Just accept it and realize that it's not totally frowned upon to attach your ID to a lanyard. Just, please, don't put the lanyard around your neck ...
6. Marist Beach is a real thing, and it's glorious. Again, I can't stress taking advantage of the weather enough. You. Go. To. School. In. Poughkeepsie. The weather is going to change, and it's going to change quick. Get out to Marist Beach, make some friends, and relax.
7. P-Ridge is your new favorite place. Late-night eating is TOTALLY fine at Marist. You're likely to find quite a long line at P-Ridge on the weekends, but the wait is worth it. Please, please, please pay attention when I tell you to eat a chicken, bacon, ranch slice of pizza. It will change your life.
8. Be warned that there is an extreme wind tunnel outside of
the library and in front of champ. Good luck and take caution. You won't know about it until it hits you. Please dress accordingly.
9. The dining hall can quickly become your worst enemy. Remember that Cabaret bacon, egg and cheeses are always a win. If you run out of Thrifty cash and can't go to the Cabaret, there's a hidden waffle machine by the dessert table in the dining hall. Get yourself two scoops of chocolate ice cream on a plate, make a waffle on top of the ice cream, and drown it in syrup. We're clearly not worried about the freshman 15 ...
10. Halloween is not just a one-day event at Marist. Please prepare to have at least three costumes ready to go. You should know that half of the female students dress up as common household creatures.
11. When the first semester of your college years at Marist comes to a close, it will be time for registration. Know that this will be one of the worst moments of your entire life. No, you will not get any of the classes you need. Yes, we've all be through this. Yes, we survived and are still going to graduate on time. Just learn to love override forms ...
12. Sign up for clubs. Simple as that. I don't care if you like the club or not, but you really need good priority points* for housing sophomore year, so do what you have to do.
*Priority points can either make or break you. They, essentially, are the key to your housing fate and will be explained to you upon arrival.
13. The library is actually your friend. It may be beautiful and photogenic, but people actually study there, too. It really is a great place, so don't be embarrassed to go in there every once in awhile.
14. Lola's and Rossi's are about to become two of the most important places in your life. Guys, totally not kidding. I don't know what kind of sandwich places you had at home, but you're about to forget about them completely. Befriend an upperclassman with a car ASAP because you need to be able to get to these places on the reg.
15. You're about to have one of the best years of your entire life. Welcome to the family, fellow Red Foxes. Enjoy!
