Grand Canyon University, home of the Lopes.
Life is good in Lope Land. You are surrounded by purple, palm trees, and people who love D1 basketball & Thunder Dan more than you would think is possible. GCU is home for students who thrive in community settings, scream their heads off for the sake of a free t-shirt, and practically revolt when the Chick-Fil-A sauce is gone. Incoming freshmen and returning students alike marvel at the speed in which new buildings appear, and often wonder how to navigate the lunch lines at just the right time. One way or the other, there are some basic do's and don'ts that apply to every GCU Lope.
Do: Fill your dorm room with artsy pictures that you and your friends have taken.
You're at a super artsy university. Everyone knows someone who's into photography, painting, or has the natural ability to turn a normal room into a hippie heartland. It's beautiful, and I highly suggest you hop on board.
Don't: Be scared to talk to anyone.
Canyon is full of so many incredibly friendly people, so striking up a casual conversation isn't hard at all! Do it! You'll meet some pretty cool cats.
Do: Get a Breakfast Supply t-shirt.
Why wouldn't you support the campus trend that is sure to stick around? And I mean hey, those designs are dope.
Don't: Get lunch after Chapel on Mondays.
You'll be waiting forever. Just pack a snack, or eat before/after the rush is over.
Do: Join the Havocs.
Being a Havoc is the best choice you can make at GCU. Talk about a group of people that love purple pre-game parties (if you don't know what that is yet, just you wait), free t-shirts and any and all Canyon athletic events. They put the team on their back, and have a great time doing it!
Don't: Trust LoudCloud.
You may think your power of procrastination is beyond anything's control, but you clearly haven't met LoudCloud yet. Don't wait until Sunday night at 11:30 to turn something in. Get it done so you can rest easy; and this way you won't end up yelling at your computer in hopes of speeding it up.
Do: Get to know your professors.
Professors at Canyon are actual people, with actual stories and actual lives. They're great to talk with, and are more than willing to help you out. Use their office hours. Ask them for help. Chat with them in line at Subway.
Don't: Think you don't like purple.
You're lying to yourself. You love the color purple. This is you conscious speaking. Wear the purple. Love the purple. Be the purple.
Do: Make friends in different groups.
You don't have to just stick to friends that are in your degree program. You can expand your friend group to people in different degree programs, clubs, jobs, and interests. You will learn so much by having many different types of friends, and Grand Canyon is the place to create those bonds!
Don't: Think you can avoid fire alarms.
You put a bunch of young adults in apartment buildings and expect them to not burn the popcorn? LOL, good joke buddy. Use this as a warning to buy cute pjs and keep a blanket by the door -- those alarms never go off when it's convenient.
Do: Love life as a Lope.
Sure, Lopes have their quirks. There's always some kind of event, and no one gets as excited about D1 basketball as we do. Yet life as a Lope is the best life. We go to school with great people, on a beautiful campus, with endless activities -- just you wait until the Mr. GCU pageant. Whether you're an incoming freshman (welcome young one), or a returning student (what's up homie), it's sure to be a great year.
