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Welcome to Colonial Inauguration. The next three days will likely be some of the most spirit-packed you’ll experience at GW. To make sense of it all, The Hatchet has come up with a list of 10 tips and tricks to help new students get the most out of CI.
10. Bring a water bottle.
You might be attending events from starting at 8 a.m. until well after midnight. There is nothing worse than walking around dehydrated and feeling queasy while trying to meet new people. D.C. is built on top of a swamp and the summer is notorious for being hot and muggy. Do yourself a favor by carrying water with you at all times while you’re at CI to stay on top of all that there is to do.
9. Visit Student Health Services
There is nothing worse than having to play “Where’s Waldo?” the first time you come down with a fever or bad cold at school. Located at 2141 K St., Student Health is removed from the rest of the Foggy Bottom campus, so don’t forget to take a walk and familiarize yourself with the area. SHS is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and accepts GWorld, cash, checks, and major credit cards. A pharmacy is located in the same building as the clinic.
8. Take a bite at Manouch
A mainstay of GW culture, the Manouch pretzel and hot dog stand stays open only late at night. Manouch is located on 21st Street between H and I streets, across from the side entrance to the Marvin Center. The vendor has become something of an institution at GW and is a top choice for late-night snacks. If you’re wandering back from a CI in the City activity, stop by the top student choice.
7. Don’t make friends with EMeRG and UPD too soon
While you should definitely check out the University Police Department and EMeRG, you do not want to be the one they have to deal with on a stretcher at 2 a.m. outside of Thurston. Take time to familiarize yourself with GW’s policies. GW is unique for providing medical amnesty upon a student’s first run-in with drugs or alcohol once school begins, but be conscious of the fact that there are heavy consequences to using illegal substances at CI.
6. Take a monument tour
Who needs sleep? Take advantage of the late night tours that are offered at CI. The best time to see the D.C. landmarks is at night. Head down 19th Street and cross Constitution Avenue to get to the National Mall. You won’t be far from the Lincoln Memorial, where you can ponder life as you gaze upon the reflecting pool and the Washington Monument in the distance. From there head to the Korean War Memorial, and then go onto the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. Catch great views as you walk along the Tidal Basin to head towards the Jefferson Memorial, and hit up the World War II Memorial on your way back.
5. Check out the clubs
No, this does not mean head up to Adams Morgan. Instead, go to the student organization fair to glimpse just a small share of what GW offers in terms of extracurricular life on the third day of CI. Sign up to be on your favorite club’s Listserv, and get information and dates for their meetings. As a freshman, knowing what you like and getting involved in it is a great way to find your niche in an urban school where the annual enrollment is just under 10,000 students.
4. Tour the Vern
On the second day of CI, the Mount Vernon campus hosts the Buff and Blue barbecue. Although some GW students love Foggy Bottom so much that they do not take time to appreciate the green oasis, you should take the ride up Foxhall Road on the Vern Express to see the modern residential and academic facilities on the Vern.
3. Get to know the Metro
D.C. has one of the nation’s best public transportation systems. Clean, safe and efficient, the Metro is also a great way to avoid a pricey cab ride. The University also has the distinction of having its own stop, located at the corner of 23rd and I streets next to GW Hospital. Both the Orange and Blue lines stop there. But remember, Washington is not a 24-hour city – the Metro closes around midnight during the week and before 3 a.m. on weekends.
2. Take a look at GW’s newest facilities
If you’re walking by the corner of G and 22nd streets, check out Duques Hall, home to GW’s School of Business. Or, if you’re on the other side of campus, look inside the Elliott School of International Affairs, which was formally opened by GW alumus Colin Powell in 2003. Both of the buildings feature state-of-the-art technology, lounges, offices and classrooms for GW staff, faculty and students.
1. Feel the G-dub love
It does not matter if you are a die-hard fan of the hippo, GW’s unofficial mascot, or a tried and true Colonial; you want to leave CI excited for the new school year. Stop by the bookstore, located in the basement of the Marvin Center, and get some G-dub garb to proudly display your school pride.
