1) Geek out as much as you want to. It won’t hurt your rep, because everyone here is secretly a nerd about something. Everyone. Remember: even the most sought-out lacrosse boy cracks out his headset, and dominates League of Legends when no one is looking.
2) This is the time to get involved, in both activities that you know you love, and activities that you think you may love. Just don’t overextend yourself, or you will drown in Google Doodles, and hate everything.
3) If there isn’t an organization that has caught your fancy, start one that does. Get inspired, and inspire others through your passion.
4) Dean Michael Martinez is the man. You can talk to him about stuff that goes beyond the topics of academics or Customs. He will make everything way more personable by referring to you by your nickname, and he will make you feel way better. Guaranteed. Fun Facts: 1) He’s really into The Big Lebowski, 2) He’s The Ultimate Campus Cutie (but you already knew that one).
5) Try to be friendly with the people on your hall, and on your Customs Team, even if you pull a Sandlot Squints, and deem them all L7 weenies. Not only are they a support system that Haverford provides for you, they could also end up becoming some of your closest friends throughout your four years here.
6) Lazy people get bored. I know it hurts to look at the GoBoards (my retinas fry, and go through irreparable damage when I look at it,) but it’ll hurt more when you feel the major pangs of FOMO from not hearing about the bajillion events that happen daily on campus.
7) There’s a magical land that smells of pretzels, crazed Eagles enthusiasts, frat brothers, and donuts. It is easily accessible through the Septa Regional Rail, or Septa’s Norristown High Speed Line. When you feel suffocated, or itching for adventure, go there.
8) The One Card can be used for more than books, or for steak quesadillas at The Coop. Its for the emergency shampoo bottle you don’t want to walk to CVS for because its 12 degrees outside, for the Haverford-Drinks-More-Than-Other-Colleges-Haha-Screw-You-Punks shot glass you need for obvious reasons, and for the gift cards you can get at Bryn Mawr’s bookstore that you say you’ll give to a friend on their birthday, but end up using for yourself later.
9) Manage your time so you can do things necessary to sustain life, like consume a nutritious meal that consists of items other than Red Bull and ramen noodles, interact with other human beings, and sleep.
10) High school was then, Haverford is now. You will have a falling-out with some of your friends from back home, and things may fall apart with the sweetheart that you promised to Skype every other hour of the day. This is a sad part of growing up, but we’re all in it together.
11) Because this is a small campus, it can get a little Gossip Girl at times. Don’t be too quick to make judgments. You may have heard someone is a jerk (even a place like Haverford has rotten people,) but they might actually be your friendship soul mate. Or your actual soul mate. Take time to get to know people so you can make your own judgments.
12) There are a lot of people here that are sensitive about issues, and thus make it a point to be politically correct. This is lovely, and I’m not bashing it, because a commitment to sensitivity can incite social change. On the other hand, if you consider yourself compassionate, kind, accepting, but still able to laugh at stupid jokes on Family Guy, this does not make you a bad person, or un-Haverfordian. I promise. Laugh at Stewie, laugh with Stewie.
13) There are a surprising amount of resources, that surprisingly all have similar-sounding acronyms. Take advantage of these, even if you can’t keep track of all of them.
14) Treat Yo’ Self days are not only Parks and Rec approved, they’re also totally necessary and fine to take without feeling guilty. Your body is your temple; eat right, stay active, but take advantage of the moments in life when you just need to indulge in the DC’s soft-serve ice cream machine. Relax; lock yourself from the outside world, and binge watch entire seasons of Adventure Time. Get your nails done at over-priced Main Line salons. You do you, girl.
15) You’ve been here for a month, and you already feel intimidated by your peers that seem to have “all their sh*t together.” They don’t.
16) Don’t let anyone discourage you about your contributions- or lack thereof- to your hall’s Blackout Board. You’re cute, you’re clever, and as Josh Peck would say, you’re the cooliest. No matter what.
17) Be open-minded, but stay true to yourself. One does not conflict with the other. A beautiful harmony can flourish between being a person of strong conviction, and being a person with a deep curiosity.
18) Nature trail walks soothe the soul.