It's that time of the year again: high school seniors have begun to choose where they will be going to college in the fall. This is a huge decision and, of course, should not be taken lightly. How are students supposed to choose when there are so many great schools out there? Let me put an end to your agonizing.
There is only one place where you should be spending your next four years: Fairfield University. Forget all the tours you've gone on and all the informational brochures you've read and let me, a current Fairfield student, tell you why I am excited, happy, and proud to call Fairfield my home.
A is for Autumn.
Fairfield in the fall is a beautiful sight to behold. It's the perfect time of year to Snapchat pictures of campus to all your friends so they, too, can realize that you attend one of the most gorgeous schools on the east coast.
B is for Beaches.
Being from New Jersey, I wouldn't really call the Long Island Sound a "beach," but it is a close second. During the fall and the spring, the beach is a prime spot to hang out with friends or relax and "do homework." Before you graduate, go to the beach early in the morning and watch the sunrise with your friends and a cup of coffee.
C is for Connecticut. There are so many fun things to do in Connecticut and it's only a short train ride away from the city.
D is for Dolan.
Make sure you don't mix up the business school and the apartments! As a business minor, I'm confident that I'm getting a fantastic business education from some of the best professors around.
E is for Einstein's. Coffee: the only thing that keeps me going.
F is for (downtown) Fairfield.
There are a ton of good places to eat in town, so if you get sick of going to Barone, take the Stag Bus downtown for some pizza or sandwiches. You need to eat at Colony Grill before you graduate, their pizza is a Fairfield staple. Get the hot oil pizza. Trust me.
G is for Gonzaga Auditorium. Head down to Gonzaga on a Friday night to catch a movie before it hits Netflix or for a Bensonians concert.
H is for HerCampus. A very talented group of lady writers whose best chapter is clearly in Fairfield.
I is for Ignatian Residential College.
The concept of a res college isn't unique to Fairfield, but the Ignatian College is. I am living here now and I am so glad that I made the choice to live here. Freshman, if you are looking for an unforgettable sophomore year, make sure you apply to a res college!
J is for Jesuit Values.
Fairfield ensures that you will be a well-rounded individual when you graduate by stressing its Jesuit values throughout the curriculum. Learning to embrace the magis, men and women for others, cura personalis, and others make students prepared for the real world.
K is for Kairos. One of the more popular retreats here at Fairfield; often described as "life-changing."
L is for the Levee.
Head to the Levee if you're looking for a slice of pizza with some entertainment. The Lionfish, Fairfield's resident rock stars, can usually be found here playing a set.
M is for Magis. "The More." What does this mean? In the simplest terms and most convenient definition, it means excellence above mediocrity. It is something that Fairfield students strive to achieve every day in and out of the classroom.
N is for New York City. The city is a quick train ride away from campus and offers endless possibilities. Before you graduate, make sure you spend a day in the city with your friends.
O is for OrgSync. What time is that club meeting? OrgSync. Where can I apply to be an RA? OrgSync. Where can I vote for FUSA President and VP? OrgSync.
P is for Pres Ball.
Fairfield's annual fall tradition of dressing up and shaking your tail feathers with the entire school. Make sure you get a picture with Father von Arx on the way in and make it your new Facebook cover photo the morning after.
Q is for the Quad.
A great place to lay out with a beach towel and your iPod and people watch in the warm weather. You'll want to stay out there all day in the spring when the cherry blossoms bloom.
R is for the Rec Plex. I personally don't work out all that often (#sohealthy), but the plans for our new gym have actually got me thinking about going to the gym more than twice a year.
S is for Stags.
There are so many things that I could be referring to on campus when I say "stag": the statue, the grab and go alternative to Barone, the students themselves, and each form of a stag is fabulous. If you don't climb the stag statue before graduation, are you even a Fairfield student?
T is for Turkeys.
They travel in packs and they can smell fear, so be super cool when you walk past them on your way to class.
U is for Uber. Unfortunately, freshman and sophomores can't have cars on campus, so Uber is a God-send. Every Fairfield student has asked him or herself if it's acceptable to take an Uber down to Dolan.
V is for Von Arx.
Our fearless leader and genuinely great man.
W is for WVOF. Tune in anytime and listen to your fellow students cranking out some sweet jams.
X is for Xavier Hall. This is part of the high school on campus, Fairfield Prep.
Y is for Yogurt.
As in frozen. As in Pinkberry or 16 Handles. As in yum.
Z is for Zumba. Since our gym is being renovated, a few students have volunteered to teach fitness classes in their downtime. If you like to sweat (which I don't), hit up a fitness class.
