Freshman Week

From the moment we moved in, the freshman class was bombarded with advertisements from Campus Pals, an organization that pretty much helps acquaint new freshman with Howard University and gets us used to college life. One such advertisement was the PalPak. This was basically a package of tickets that cost $80 that would grant us access to all the activities that would take place on campus during the week. Needless to say, a promise of fun and excitement to a bunch of new college students was more than alluring and many of us ended up dropping the $80 (hey at least we got a free drawstring bag, right?)
Details aside, freshman week was the bomb!! Everyday there was a fresh and (somewhat) exciting activity that the Campus Pals had organized. The days were pretty much spent out on the Yard or at some other spot on campus meeting new people and learning about all the different states that were represented. (Cali and jersey go hard here! I was formally introduced to Cali Jerkin' and Baltimore/Philly/Jersey Club Music <--which city's version is better is still up for grabs) Of course there was the New York music and the Southern snappin' music that is all too familiar. But there was also the "newer" dance songs and the older ones that are still relevant ( Swagg Surf, Cupid Shuffle, Electric Slide, etc.) And you know of course Caribbeans made their presence known (Dutty Wine, Willie Bounce, Badman Forward/Badman Pull up, etc.)Big up to all my islanders!! Nights were spent clubbing at many of hottest spots in DC (Love, 24, Fur, Republic Garden; check them out!!)or hanging out on the Yard dancing and hanging out..everything else was squeezed in between. One of the first things we learned at Howard, however was: KNOW YOUR PRIORITIES! School always comes before EVERYTHING, but when its time to party WE GET IT IN!
All celebrations aside, it is with regret that I have to admit that some of us also had to learn about city life the hard way. Sadly,several students at the Quad and at Drew were victims of armed robbery (shout outs to all my fellow victims! No matter what, we shall overcome!) This experience not only brought city life into perspective for me, it also made me more aware of my surroundings and let me know that crime doesn't discriminate. It was a learning experience and hopefully DC can start preventing such crimes from occurring so often, for they only tarnish the sacred legacy of our nation's capital.