Crusaders have been back on campus for a few weeks now and the fall semester is rapidly picking up the pace! Classes, clubs, and sports are getting into full swing and Mount St. James is once again buzzing with the energy of its students. Among the faces roaming around the Hill are almost 750 members of Holy Cross’s newest class. Freshmen have been navigating class schedules and getting settled into their new homes for the last month, and learning what it’s like to be a Crusader. Here are the top ten things you learn your first month on the hill:
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1.    You will be out of breath after walking from Kimball to Hogan
Your legs will hurt and you will probably be sweating a little (or a lot) in this mid September heat wave. But at least you’re toning your legs and cross-training for your sport while you’re at it! The giant hill may be annoying at times but after all, it’s helping you avoid the Freshman 15. And for that, we thank it.
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2. Getting an ID card holder or case for your phone is a necessity
Having your swipe at your fingertips when entering Kimball or your residence hall is a major time saver and will keep you from losing your card in the depths of your backpack or dropping it on the way to class. You’ll never have to worry about forgetting your ID and being locked out of your building again. It will save your life, seriously.
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3. CB2 is almost always full during the day
A coveted study and socialization spot, the second installment of our on campus coffee shop in Stein Hall is a popular destination to grab a chai and finish up some homework; so if there’s a table open, you grab it! Then rapidly text your friends to join you, they’ll be forever grateful.
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4. Gym rush hour is the worst
Worse than the 6:30pm dinner rush at Kimball. Worse than the line at Cool Beans. You might as well avoid the Hart NARP gym like the plague between 3-5pm on the weekdays. If you choose to brave the storm of sweaty students during the afternoon hours, good luck getting a treadmill or elliptical. The weight room will also be packed, but claiming your stake isn’t entirely impossible. Be brave ladies, lifting is for girls too!
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5.There are lots of great study spots besides Dinand
There’s always the science library conveniently located next to the science cafe if you need to refuel during a long study session. Or, also in the science complex, is the math lounge, which is a quiet, generally empty space with comfy couches to make that paper a little easier. Smith Hall (which overlooks Memorial Plaza) has a great view and is a silent spot to help you focus. Even the social spaces of your dorms can also make for a great study location if you want to escape your room but not walk across campus to a library.
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6. Get ice cream at Kimball, just not everyday
It’s easy to make this a habit after a few consecutive trips to the soft serve station, but try to limit dessert to a few times a week if you can! It can be so tempting, but there are so many other yummy food options at college that getting dessert at Kimball every night can get excessive. But when treating yourself after a long day of school work, I highly recommend layering ice cream over a brownie or blondie to make the perfect indulgence.
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7. Dressing up for class can help you focus
Every collegiette has those days where Lululemon leggings and a tee is all she can muster, but throwing on a cute dress and some Jack Rogers will truly start your morning on a good note and make you feel more confident and energized to tackle your day. This always helps to put me in a good mood and lets me focus on my work. Dressing for success is a real thing!
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8. Chalupas are a meal swipe, not dining dollars
Don’t make the mistake of getting a burrito when craving Mexican at lower Kimball. Wasting precious dining dollars can be avoided by getting a chalupa instead. We may not have Chipotle on campus but this is a close second.
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9. The urge to take a picture of O’Kane and Fenwick every time you pass them never goes away
We all know we attend one of the most picturesque, stunning campuses in the country, yet every time I pass them in the dewy morning sunlight on the way to Kimball breakfast or at dusk with a soft glow behind them, I can’t help but pause and appreciate what a stunning place I get to live and learn in. I would be lying if I said I didn’t think about Instagramming the view more than a few times.
10. A lot of people go out every weekend, but you don’t have to
The college weekend has progressively expanded well into the school week and even Wednesday has become a popular night to go out to bars in Worcester, with the weekends being reserved for on and off campus house parties. This can be really fun and an awesome way to destress during the week. On the other hand, going out isn’t the only way to enjoy yourself at Holy Cross. Hanging out in the dorms with some Netflix, taking a trip into Boston, or hitting up Food Truck Friday on the hoval with friends are all great options.