Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

Page 17 text:

On Our Own Freshman Year “Well, Jbere we are,” said Mom, as we pulled into what seemed to be the last vacant parking spot on the Quad. Here we were all right. It was August 28th — my First day at WPI. I had said good-bye to my little sister and my overly affectionate dog two hours ago as we Finally loaded all my stuff in. the car. Dad could r t baieve I had packed 4 so much; I was ifraid I had forgotten my favorite pair ofshoes. My parents and I had set out early to beat the “rush” and the heat and humidity, but we soon realized that the endless process of lugging suitcases up three flight of stairs was not conducive to staying cool at anytime of day. Everyone was in good spirits though, fnd was joking about the lovely green concrete dorm walls and the lack of storage space in good humor. The area unde, my bed soon became the choice loca¬ tion for shoes, notebooks, and the in¬ evitable dirty laundry. The rest of the day went smoothly, and I had a feeling of freedom and adventure as Mom and Dad (after 10 “make sure you eat righf’s and 25 “BE GOOD”s) left later that afternoon. My roommate and I decided that something . . . anything had to be done to hide or at least cover up the cement walls and linoleum floor. So up went the posters, memo boards an | bulletin board, and down went the rug. We threw in three or four plants, a couch, phorte, and re¬ frigerator and within a week our room was our home away from home. Of course our transition put a big dent in our budgets, so we both began writing our First of many letters home. Dorm and college life meant freedom — no curfew, nobody to tell you who to see or not see or tell you to do your homework and eat your veggies. But it also meant living without certain taken for granted luxuries® such as air conditioning, a color TV and Mom’s cooking and cleaning service. I remember seeing one guy standing in front of a washing machine with at least three weeks worth ' of dirty laundry. I tried not to laugh as he attempted to Fit it all in two machines and then asked me if now was tjjje right time to add the Cling Free. Where’s Mom when you need her? She certainly doesn’t cook at DAKA. You didn’t think you copild eat salad every day? Well? when the options are hamburgers of dubious origin (affectionality called hockey pucks), turkey tetrachloride and the in- This freshman demonstrates what most WPI students sorely lack, especially at the end of the term. Heading home after a busy morning of classes. otaa 0 y % ✓ ent Life 4 13

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i First year courses take a lot out of a student, as these freshmen guys (above right) realize. Here, they enjoy relaxing and blowing off a little steam on the weekend. What’s a good way to meet people up close and personal? Caron Sarro found that a Twister game, held on the quad during the IFC-NPC sponsored Greek Weekend, was just the ticket. Carol Allen, Kris Breed, Magdd ' fBonnin, Kim Breuni£, and Jen Donohoe enjoy fun times in the dorms. i A V 12 Student Life

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Where’s Mom When You Need Her? One of the best aspects of dorm life is the close atmo¬ sphere it inspires; hallways and rooms are filled with good friends and special memories. At dinner, WPI RAs exhibit the maturity that makes them excellent student models for incoming freshmen. mes A pleasant greeting welcomes Mom and Dad to WPI Parent’s Day. Held on November 3rd, Parent’s Day offered Mom and Dad the oppor¬ tunity to learn more about Worcester Tech as watch a great football game. 40 % famous Poo Poo Platter ' ’you may not have an edible alternative. By mid A-|erm every Freshman Techie had memorized the B’s phone number. Adjusting to college courses was almost as traumatic as getting used to DAKA food. It took dedication to make it down to Goddard Hall for thoas three hour freshmen chemistry labsMwen Dean van A’s obvious enthusiasm for Calc 3 could do nothing for my confusion concerning L’ Hopital’s Rule. But as the year progressed I learned how to budget my time, kept my all- nighter 4o a minimum, and managed not to “snowflake” all year,, Before I kjj£w i L?-term had arrived. I could not beh t my freshman yeaf was almost over. jy jlow that the speciaj friendships formed during my First year at i WPI will last for a long tim My floormates and I shared not onlgpoothpaste and shampoo, but also our academic successes and failures, the adventure of going to our first fraternity party, and numerous fun times that made freshman year a blast. t 14 Student Life