As a student at the University of Pittsburgh, you’ve surely learned that we pride ourselves on being a diverse group of individuals who all have something unique to offer, not only to this school, but to the world as well. Still, maybe we aren’t so different after all…
What, you’ve never run after the 10A as it speeds away while crushing your soul? Never looked desperately for your Pitt ID when you thought you lost it, because you refuse to pay $20 for a new one?
As different as we may be, our collective wisdom and experiences have taught us just what it means to be a Pitt Panther. Thanks to current students and fellow HC writers, we’ve been able to come up with a list of things we feel every Pitt student should know. So you go to Pitt? Then you must already know…
The weather is unpredictable:
All four seasons can occur in as little as one week: high-70s one day and snowing the next is something that should be expected. For that reason, a true Pitt student will come prepared for any weather when they move in for the year…that is, in August. Parkas, rain boots (a must), and an umbrella should be handy at any point during the year. Pitt students are ready to rock the just-got-poured-on look at any second.
The 10A drivers are relentless:
Sure, you think they see you coming as you run toward the bus, just as it begins to drive away. So you’ve missed it and check the app, which says another bus won’t come again for at least 15 minutes…if they’re running on time that day. You can never expect that a driver will stop for you, even when flailing your arms and pleading them through shortened breaths. And, if you actually make it on the 10A, hold on tight. The drivers are notoriously in a rush, and that’s made clear through their driving techniques. Their stop and go style is brutal, but hey, at least they’re consistent.
You can never quite figure out/remember all the rules of public transportation:
Remembering all the in’s and out’s of taking public transportation is tough. A good rule of thumb: when going downtown, you swipe your Pitt ID before you get on the bus, but when heading uptown you don’t swipe until you get off. The bus driver will remind you, but it’s more efficient to just remember. Also be cautious of the bus lanes that they drive in…when crossing the street always look left. I’m sure we’ve all learned that one the hard way (insert elongated honk from the driver and a rush of wind in front of your face).
There are a lot of local rules to be aware of:
Street parking and cleaning has cost most of us at least once, or will cost someone before he or she graduates from Pitt. So, you must know that street cleaning can easily get your car towed, along with parking even inches in a yellow-paint section. However, your saving grace is that Sunday’s are for free parking—no tickets can be administered, and that’s a beautiful thing.
Being a Pitt student means you’ve learned a lot during your time here at Pitt. Yes, the Chipotle line will always be that long; yes, the first floor of Hillman was never actually meant for studying; yes, it’s named Cardiac Hill for a reason; and yes, astrology and astronomy are not the same class. But from all you’ve learned, if there’s only one thing to take with you in your years to come, I hope it’s this: being a Pitt Panther means you Hail harder than anyone else out there, so don’t let the mundane/everyday occurrences keep us down. H2P!