From the outside looking in, you won’t really be able to understand what it’s like to be a VCU Ram; from the inside speaking out, you won’t be able to fully describe it. VCU is a wondrous place that every student comes to know and (hopefully) love over the course of four years — but the quest for a degree here comes with a few unexpected annoyances, which as minute as they are, have become an integral part of claiming your right to be a student here at VCU. Look on the bright side, it’s the common annoyances that really bring us together as a community, right?
1. Everyone assumes you are either an art or a med student.
You do know VCU has other programs, right? Oh, you didn’t?
2. You have to explain to your friends Richmond isn’t as sketchy as everyone thinks.
Your out-of-town suburban friends come to visit from JMU or Tech and assume everyone is out to kill them.
3. RamSafe takes forever because everyone, yourself included, uses it as a taxi because you’re too lazy to walk.
You know your house is only three blocks from Kroger, but in your mind three blocks with a couple bags full of groceries is worse than waiting 45 minutes for a bus to come pick you up.
4. Heels and Richmond sidewalks are not a winning combination.
I mean really, who thought the red brick thing was a good idea, anyway?
5. Not being able to sleep at night because of ambulances, construction, police sirens, oncoming trains, loud people or skateboarders.
I know we live in a city and all…but why does this city have so many random noises? And why do we only hear them at night?
6. Not knowing which line is worse on a Saturday night: Chick-Fil-A or Panda Express.
Let’s be real, the only reason we would wait in a line like that is if a freshman is swiping us food for free.
7. Despising Shafer as a freshman but longing for it as an upperclassman.
All you can eat French fries and pizza…what was I thinking freshman year?
8. Deciding which one of VCU’s unreliable internet connections to use.
Should I use “VCU” or “VCU SafeNet” or “VCU Guest”? Which one will disappoint me the least today?
9. Not being able to find a spot in Cabell.
Why is the second floor always packed? Why do people take up computer desks when they are on their laptops? Why is that guy taking up a six person table for just himself? When is this annoying construction finally going to be done? All questions that will probably never be answered.
10. Signing people in and out of residence halls.
Two guest sign in policy? Three word future policy: off-campus housing.
11. Getting stopped on your way to class to register to vote, join a club, go to church or become vegan.
You act like I have time for all of these commitments…I’m too busy complaining about being busy and procrastinating by looking up Buzzfeed articles all day.
12. Not knowing if someone is homeless, a hipster, or late for their 8 a.m.
Same shaggy hair, beat up clothes and “don’t care anymore” attitude. Except for the hipster probably paid a fortune for it at Urban Outfitters.
13. When you think someone important is texting you but it’s only VCU alerts.
Why is VCU telling me there is an armed suspect in my area but they have the situation handled? Why even tell me if the situation is handled? Why are we all so nonchalant about this?
14. Having alternative routes to class because of bike races, 10k’s or some other kind of event that blocks off the roads.
No worries…30 minutes, six crosswalks and two near-death experiences later you’ll be at your destination.
15. Parking is like some complicated math problem…
Either you don’t understand the signs or you greatly overestimate what two inches is when trying to parallel park. Is Richmond Parking 101 a class that’s offered here or…?
16. You thought your $400/month house was a great deal until the heating bill in the winter came around.
I guess living in a house built in over a hundred years ago might not have been the best idea…
17. Your 89.999% is a B. Just a B.
Nope, sorry. You get a B…not even a B+. Just a B.
18. You get mad when anyone outside of VCU talks bad about VCU.
Sure, we have some issues, but we wouldn’t trade it for the world.