The Bare Necessities

As I concluded the first chapter in my book of college years, I looked back and reminisced over all the new experiences that I had made. People. Places. Adventures. Mistakes. Responsibilities. It all came back as if it were yesterday. Each moment was a learning experience. Some good, some bad. If there is one thing that I learned well this year its this,  "I know not all that may be coming, but be what it will, I'll go to it laughing" (Herman Melville). I thoroughly enjoyed my first year at Southern there is absolutely no doubt. I hope  that others will enjoy the Southern experience as much as I have. 
On that note, I have made a list of all the facts I could think of about Southern that the brochures, orientations, and staff don't tell you. They're not criticizing, but more random.  You might even laugh a little ;)

1.) Southern probably has the most awkwardly sized/shaped stairs in North America, and there are also is an abundant amount and will take you probably half the semester to adjust to before you don't walk into class panting like you just ran a marathon.2.) Southern offers haystacks as an option for lunch and supper everyday except for Saturday.....when you actually want one.
3.) Southern charges $45/semester to have a car on campus, but come 11:58pm when your about to get a major dorm offense, there is suddenly no parking spots available.You must become creative in your parking...and then fix your creativity early the next morning before campus safety finds out.
4.) There is a big laundry room in the girls dorm with 3 washers and 6 dryers....I now know why doubled amount. The spin cycle doesn't work in the washing machines and leaves your stuff dripping wet and takes about 2 hours and twice as many dryers to dry your stuff.
5.)Southern has "snow days" for rain, and 2 hour delays for 5+ inches of snow and ice. Salt and plows are rare. Leaf blowers seem to be more effective in blowing the small amounts of snow off the sidewalk.
6.) Fire drills happen spontaneously at 12am and if you fail meeting the time requirement, you repeat....most likely within the week.
7.) Storage units are available downstairs in the dorms at no cost to keep your stuff in during the year, and to store for cheap during the summer.
8.) Wednesday lunch (Pasta day) is the cafe's most popular meal...you'll be standing in line awhile. Plan accordingly for classes.
9.) Food options are VERY limited on the weekends. Make friends with people who have cars.
10.) Class Registration opens at 12am on the designated day and the internet will become incredibly slow during this time. Don't wait till then to do your homework.
11.) There is wifi everywhere on campus, and it works better anywhere but in your dorm room.
12.) There is a train that travels past Southern probably 5 times a day, and never ceases to blow its whistle right as it passes..even at 6 in the morning. 
13.) Village Market breakfasts are the best. 
14.) Make sure you own a pair of rain boots if you plan on attending Southern. You will need them. 
15. ) Hamilton/Collegdale/Ooltewah has just about every kind of food place..except Chipotle. Prepare yourself ahead of time for the withdrawls. 

These are just a few of the very long list I could write, but I hope you enjoyed these few sarcastic, random facts.