Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at URI chapter.

Don’t take an 8 a.m. You won’t want to walk up the hills from Weldin Hall on a bitterly cold winter morning at 7:30 a.m. to get there on time. Plus, if you live off campus, you’ll have to get up at least an hour and a half before class in order to beat the traffic. Just don’t do it.

Do join clubs, sports teams, and Greek life. Join anything you can to get involved and make more friends. If you don’t get involved, you’ll complain that URI is “boring,” when in reality, you’re simply not making an effort.  

Don’t expect the guy you met at Charlie O’s last night to call you the next day, or at all for that matter. He might be hot, you might have made out a little and probably gave him your number, but believe me, this is probably as far as it’s going to go. It’s not you, it’s him. Most college guys don’t want anything serious these days.

Do prepare yourself for some rivalry. When you’re an out-of-stater at URI, you can bet you’re going to find yourself in some arguments about the Yankees and Red Sox, the Bruins and the Rangers, and best of all, the Giants and Patriots. But don’t worry, a little friendly competition is healthy.

*Tip: Even if you’re not a Pats fan, get a Dunkin Donuts rewards card so you can get those free coffees every Monday when they win on Sundays. 

Don’t expect to leave campus at the end of the day within 10 minutes. URI commuter traffic will cost you about 25-30 minutes of your life sitting and waiting on an endless line of cars. You’ll probably honk once or twice at that Masshole who cut you off, the New Yorker going too fast, and the local who seems to think a green light means “stop” and red means “go.” We’re all just trying to get home to good old Gansett.

Do go to the basketball games. A URI  men’s basketball game is the most exciting way to spend a Tuesday night or Saturday afternoon, especially when they play their Ocean State rival: Providence College. You’ll find tons of school spirit here and remember, we bleed Keaney blue.

Don’t go to the football games. BUT, do go to homecoming. My deepest apologies to the football team, but going 1-7 two years in a row just doesn’t scream RHODY RHODY RHODY. However, Homecoming is a fun excuse to sit in the back of a pickup truck for a few hours in the Plains lot while tossing back some beers, showing off your school spirit.

Do take advantage of how close you are to the beach. We’re probably the only school in the Northeast with a beautiful view of the Atlantic so close to where we reside.  Even in the bitter winter months, it’s enjoyable. Make sure to take the time to spend some days roaming Hazard Rock, exploring the Point Judith Lighthouse, and watching the sunset from Roger Wheeler State Beach.

Don’t plan on getting a seat on the RIPTA bus. They’re crowded and smelly. But, hey, at least it saves you from walking up the dreadful hills from the bottom of campus.

Do buy a parking permit. Parking services is always on the lookout for the drivers without a commuter sticker on their windshield, and if they catch you, you better plan on paying about $200 to get your car back from the towing company.  

Don’t ever plan on getting a booth on the first floor of the library. I truly believe those students sleep under the tables. In my three years here, I’ve never had the chance to sit in one, and I’m still not over it. Maybe next year right? 

Do plan on having to reconnect to the Wi-Fi at least 10 times a day while sitting in class, checking Sakai, or trying to get that research paper done on time in the library. Maybe it’s a sign we should close the laptops and go sunbathe on the quad instead.   

Don’t get caught having a party in Eastward. They will find you, and they will fine you, and by they, I mean Narragansett Police. Orange doesn’t look good on anyone and definitely not in flyer form posted on your front door for all your neighbors to see, but thank you for sacrificing for the rest of us. 

Do go abroad for a semester. It won’t kill you to miss of the amazing life we experience here in Rhode Island. Explore, learn, and experience some of the most rewarding months of your life in a different country. 

Don’t even try to get into Bonvue if you’re not 21. The bouncers will laugh and point at you as they break your fake ID in half. “A” for effort, kiddo. 

Do “take 15, finish in 4.” Learn as much as you can here at URI from Professors that will personally help you secure a career after college. Smile proud on the quad for Mom and Dad as you walk across stage to receive your diploma, but most importantly, be thankful and always remember your remarkable, memory-filled four years here at Rhody.