So you’ve chosen the great Benedictine College as your home for the next four years. There is so much for you to learn about BC, as well as the town that surrounds it. I’ll let you know, Atchison is small in a “five-minute drive across town” kind of way. You will also quickly learn that Wal-mart is the main part of town, that you have to drive an hour away to get Chipotle, you will figure out what an "atchistank" is and that even with all of these quirks, you will somehow come to really love Atchison. So here are a few other things you should learn as a member of the class of 2020 at Benedictine College.
1. Don't call the caf the “Dining Hall."
Or do, and be one of the 12 people on campus that does.
2. Avoid the raven walk like the plague.
At least, until you get enough stamina to power walk up the entire thing without passing out. But don't let anyone fool you, every student is out of breath by the time the get to the top, no matter how in shape they look.
3. Learn to love all the traditions BC has.
There are so many different ones but they are all unique and fun to participate in. From the beanies to the homecoming bed race, just embrace them and have fun. Just a tip, if you're going to run the bed race, probably don't go out the night before. It's hard enough to run regularly.
4. Learn to love Wal-mart.
No matter how trashy you thought Wal-mart was before coming to BC, it will quickly become your favorite place. And it is one of the few things to do in Atchison so you’ll learn get creative during your Wal-mart runs.
5. Don't be one of those freshmen that gets blackout drunk their first night on campus.
Chill out, I know it’s your first night away from your parents but you’ve got four whole years to go crazy. It's a pretty small campus, so chances are that will be what you’re known for the rest of your freshman year (if not all four years).
6. Don’t judge people before you get to know them.
You will find some pretty interesting people at Benedictine College, but they are nicer and more normal than they look. Get to know people outside of your usual group.
7. Actually wear your beanie.
It is a tradition here, please don't be one of those freshmen that thinks they’re “too cool” to participate. People can tell that you are indeed a freshman (even without your beanie), shocking I know. But in a school of about 2,100, everyone knows everyone. People will call you out on it and its more trouble than just wearing it in the first place. It is only for a week and every single person at BC has gone through it. Chances are, your beanie won’t even get pulled (just kidding, it definitely will).
8. Go to your professor if you need help.
Because you go to a small school, you’ll get to know your teachers pretty well. One thing I regret from my freshman year is not going to my professors for help when I needed it. There is also free tutoring available in the Student Success Center for extra help or if you really don't want to talk to your professor (do it, it's worth it to pass a class).
9. Stay on campus even if you live close to school.
Everyone gets bored or homesick but I encourage you to stay on campus as much as possible. I met some of my best friends while when I was bored out of my mind and had nothing to do on a weekend on campus. BC does a good job of putting on enough activities to curb the boredom for the first few months, so take advantage of that. In order to feel at home at BC you have to treat it like home (and stay there).
10. Don't stay in your room.
When you don't have class, use that time to go to the rec, go to the caf, support the athletes at their games, go to the library, do anything except stay by yourself in your room. That is one way you can get really homesick. Keep busy and the more you are out and about, the better chances you have of making new friends (Yay!) But if you do choose to stay in your room, leave your door open. My freshman year I kept my door propped open and so many people would stop in and say hi or stay and talk for a while. I met some of my best friends this way as well.
11. Your friends at the beginning of the year will often not be there at the end.
When you get to school everyone scrambles to find friends and to feel comfortable, which there is nothing wrong with. But the more you get to know people and become more independent, you might find different friends. Or your friends might find new friends. Don't worry about it though because everyone goes through the same thing and friends are easy to make in college.
12. Stay healthy (as much as you can).
The freshman 15 is 100 percent real. You want to know why? Because people finally have the freedom to eat whatever they want whenever they want. Your mom isn’t there to tell you to maybe not eat McDonalds all three meals of the day or to make sure you get a piece of fruit in a meal every once in a while. Try to go to the rec or go run around the beautiful streets of Atchison (another great way to get to know your surroundings). And don't eat McDonalds every day, I’m speaking from personal experience here.
13. You definitely do not need to bring your whole room to school with you.
First of all, it won't fit. All of your decorations or clothes won't fit in the tiny space that will be your dorm room, plus you have to share that small space with another person who is probably also bringing too much stuff. You can always bring more clothes or other stuff back when you go home on breaks.
14. You don't have to be absolute best friends with your roommate.
If this happens, that's awesome! It's great to have someone who can be your first friend when you don't know anyone else at school. But don't feel pressured to be their best friend and don't get upset if they start to find their own friends. With that being said, try your best not to become enemies with them either. Fighting with a roommate can be the worst thing, especially when you have to sleep three feet away from them.
15. Just because you can stay up 24/7 doesn't mean that you should.
For some reason my freshman year, I though the best time to start homework was 10:00 at night. That was a bad idea and my grades will show you the same thing. Stay up however late you want on the weekends, but trust me if you stay up until 5:00 a.m., your 8:00 a.m. class will be hell to get to.
16. Naps will be your best friend.
Naps have never been more necessary in my entire life. Even if you don't stay up super late, you will take more naps than you did when you were three years old. You might even find yourself setting an alarm for a 12-minute nap between classes (it's been done before).
17. You are now and will forever be a Raven.
BC has been alive and kicking for some time now and its been producing very passionate Ravens since it first opened its doors. You will soon become one of those passionate Ravens and will be one forever whether you like it or not. Though it has some quirks, Benedictine College will soon become your home away from home and you’ll miss it when you’re actually home. Enjoy your time here, because it goes by so fast.
