Dear Class of 2017,
From the moment you walked through Hull Gate, you officially became a student of the University of Chicago. Your next four years will be wonderful, tough, and wonderful all at the same time. But before you get TOO deep into the quarter, some of our HC UChicago staff writers have some things to say to you! We want to help you make the most of your college years, and that involves sharing some of our favorite things and the toughest lessons we’ve learned.
Michelle’s Tips
Find your study spot. Study at all the libraries (Reg, Mansueto, Crear, Harper, D’Angelo) and find your poison—er, I mean preference. Everyone has their secret study spot. Where’s yours?
Don’t forget: Wednesday is $1 milkshake day. This is very important.
Invest in sturdy boots, even if they’re ugly. I got Uggs against my will, but they’ve protected my feet from the rain, snow, ice, slush, and other vicious elements in a way that no fashionable boot can. You’ll thank yourself later!
Jing Weighs In
Explore Hyde Park’s food scene! Chicago may seem like the obvious hub when it comes to all things munch-worthy, but there is an excellent array of cuisine right in our neighborhood. From cozy diners like Salonica on 57th to Shinju Sushi on 53rd to Medici (a UChicago classic which you will hear fondly referred to as the “Med”), your appetite will be properly satiated. There are also cafes worth checking out, like Cafe 53 (your place for gelato) and Cafe 51 near the Metra station. For late-night snacking, Hyde Park boasts Clarke’s, its very own 24-hr diner. Enjoy!
Check out Promontory Point! Sometimes, we all need to get away from the daily grind that is the UChicago college experience. The Point provides a breath of fresh air and isn’t so harsh on the eyes either. The point is accessible from campus by walking, jogging, or biking. Bring a book, a picnic, and maybe a sweater because the winds can get raucous by the lake.
Buy books from Marketplace! A lot of times upperclassmen are looking to dump their old books from a past class which you may be currently enrolled in. These books are often in good condition and will be significantly cheaper than ones offered at the bookstore. The advantage of buying from a student living in Hyde Park is that you can skip the waiting period for delivery such as when you order from Amazon. You can find listings for books (among a cornucopia of other items and services offered) on marketplace.uchicago.edu.
Kristin’s Tips
Don’t feel pressured to take four classes your first quarter. Or Humanities and SOSC at the same time. Or a heavy workload in general. You don’t have to take honors classes anymore; trust me all the classes at UChicago are honors caliber. The first quarter is about adjusting and getting used to living on your own. Four classes at UChicago is definitely possible and honestly, sometimes when I take three I feel like I have too much time to watch 90s sitcom marathons via Netflix. But this first quarter, don’t be afraid to take three. Fall is a wonderful time on campus and should be enjoyed, especially in your studies.
It’s OK to Hit the Frats. Yes, everyone will tell you that they are so over frats, but what people neglect to say is that there was once a time when they wouldn’t miss the chance to dance on the tables of Psi U. As a first year, go for it. You will quickly find out whether it is your scene or not but regardless, you’ll have fun doing it.
Get Out of Hyde Park. While Hyde Park has interesting elements, don’t forget there is a whole city to explore. It is easy not to have the time to take the bus downtown or the Red line to Lincoln Park, but these are experiences you can’t afford to miss. Make it a goal to go downtown once a week or to go to a cultural event like Second Friday’s in Pilsen or the Nutcracker during Christmas Season. It doesn’t have to be some big shopping excursion or dinner event; just hopping on the 6 and snagging a table at Intelligentsia to do some reading is worth the time. Leaving campus is a great way to break the mundane work routine and re-focus.
From Lexi
You never have “too much” homework to have fun. I passed up concerts and so many fun opportunities my first year because I was convinced that my Humanities first draft for the writing tutorial the next day was far too important. In retrospect, that was the biggest waste of time ever. You’ll never EVER look back at your college years and say, “Wow, I really wish I hadn’t gone out that night and had a great time with new friends!” Instead, you’ll be kicking yourself two years later thinking of all the missed opportunities for adventure and spontaneity. You are an intelligent person, hence your acceptance to UChicago, so put your responsibilities on the back burner for a night to have fun, especially if your assignment isn’t due for at least two days.
Find your study space and say no to the Reg. I love libraries just as much as the next person, but seriously, people at UChicago worship the Reg. It’s like the end-all-be-all of study spaces but in actuality it’s the homebase for self-deprecating students to bond over hating their lives and stressing over exams and problem sets. If you get to campus and find that you don’t enjoy studying in the Reg, do not feel like an outcast; study in your dorm room, at a café, or even at a different library! Go where you feel most comfortable and productive and forget everything else.
Drop your negativity at the door. As mentioned above, people will be self-deprecating. However, people will also be extremely opinionated and pass unfair judgments onto others to make themselves feel better. So what if you didn’t go to a super elite private high school or you haven’t traveled to 12 different countries before entering college? Who cares if you don’t land an über-impressive internship your first year? I definitely don’t care, and many other people won’t either! Do not; I repeat, DO NOT get sucked into the negativity that is so ubiquitous at UChicago. Compete with yourself and strive to be the best, well-rounded you that you can be.
And finally, from Annie
Friends will come and go, but you’ll keep the ones you love most. As you settle in throughout the year, your friendships will change. People who you met O-Week may not be the same people you hang out with every day, and your busy schedules may drive some of you apart. It all sounds sad, but the good news is that you’ll make new friends, and many of them will stick with you through thick and thin all four years here.
But most of all, take in each and every moment. These next four years will fly by sooner than you think. Before you’re even prepared for it, you’ll be back for your last O-Week, take your last classes, and prepare yourself for your way out of here. It’ll be bittersweet, and you’ll realize that despite the ups and downs, you really loved it here.
And with that we leave you be, Class of 2017! Welcome to UChicago.
Love,
HC UChicago