This is Definitely Not
High School!
By Akehia Cheek
"If I could recapture all of the memories and bring them to life,
surely I would."
Looking back, I can see the mass of maroon caps and gowns
sobbing over the class song and dwelling on the fact that we were
about to part and travel our separate paths in life, I remember the
thought that I had on my mind. Most of the second semester of my
senior year of high school was spent highly anticipating my
entrance to the Carolina family During many days in Mr. Ranes'
(who is a Carolina grad) English class, Jonathan Silver (another
freshman from my high school) and I spent our 'not so free' time
making plans for our debut in Blue Heaven. Now, only a few
months later, I can hardly believe that I've almost made it through
my first semester at Carolina.
The very first thing I want to say is this is definitely not high
school. I made the transition pretty well because I spent three
summers on college campuses, plus I was ready to venture out
into the world. Now that I've gotten here, I realize that there is an
endless list of opportunities and I have since gained some very
useful knowledge. From the first day of Pre-O, when I was offi
cially welcomed to the Carolina family I knew for sure that I had
made the right decision in coming here. Welcome activities the
first week of arrival warmed my heart. Soon, all the festivities
turned to real college stuff. It started with the quite unnecessary
book discussion. I mean, I got much love for the Hmong and all
(from the required summer reading), but they somehow didn't fit
into my summer schedule. I did, however attend the sessions
planned to help me adjust to college life and "build my intellectu
al curiosity."
Over the summer, I met about 10 upperclassmen so I learned
early in the game some quite useful information. The most bene
ficial would have to be "watch out for brick monsters"- I tend to
run into one at least once a week. A beast worth watching out for
is the "freshman 15." I've heard that it will find and get a hold of
college students everywhere. Surely, so conveniently located on
campus. Subway fits itself into the 'college' food group along with
Gumby's pizza. One Cards are very handy. Instant Messenger
(you may know me as UNCpyt) is also one of the greatest cre
ations, next to cell phones and wrinkle free khakis. There are also
some other important things I've learned to watch out for on cam
pus.
Each day on the Yard is another step up the social ladder.
Anybody who is somebody will be sitting on the wall between
classes. Oh yeah, try not to get into confrontations with the "Pit
Preacher." One thing I was informed of before I got here was the
importance of naps to college students. Now that I'm here, I real
ize what they meant. I think I have taken naps on every workable
spot on campus as well as in some not-so-comfy but quite conven
ient places. The best naps I've had so far would have to be on the
couches in the Underground or on the grass on the Quad on a
sunny day Naps are usually followed by or precede by a "date
with Davis." I went my whole four years of high school without
ever utilizing the library. How quickly my luck has changed! I've
found out that midterms are very inconveniently scheduled and
just when I get done with two, I have two more around the corner.
My first all-nighter studying for astronomy was a little unsuccess
ful, or maybe it's just that orange tea that my professor drinks.
Weekends are always a mystery. Avoiding monotonous Great
Hall parties, Friday nights usually involve a movie at the Union
and a trip to Time Out. Another favorite is to just make it a VisArt
night. A midnight trip to Franklin Street will be evidence that a
P2P can hold somewhere around 200 people, especially if there's a
frat party. Ok, 7th floor Ho Jo calls. It's time to wind down for the
weekend which means sleeping, fighting for a machine in the
laundry room, another date with Davis, sleeping and more likely
than not, sleeping.
For the most part, my first semester here at Carolina has been a
learning experience and a 'gateway to numerous opportunities.'
After realizing that The Hill is truly the southern part of Heaven, I
look forward to the rest of my life as a Tar Heel.
Freshman Forecast
The best naps I've had so far would hWe to be on the ^
couches in the Underground or on the grass on
^ sunny day.
Watch out for brick monsters.
/ Inst;
One Cards are very handy
I Instant messenger (you may know me as
( UNCpyt) is also one of the greatest cre-
N. ations, next to cell phones and wrinkle
Don't get into confemt.
^with the "Kt Pieadher.
Midterms are inconvenientiy scheduled and
free khakis.
when 1
t dme with two, I have two tnore
annmd the corrter..
Each day on the Yard is another step
up the social ladder. Anybody who is somebody
will be sitting on the wall between classes.
Avoiding
monotonous Great Hall par
ties, Friday nights usually involve
movie at the Union and
a trip to Time Out.
A beast worth watching out for '
is the "freshman 15."
Realizing
the Hill is trul^ fee
forward to the re^ of m
10
December 2001