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BY LIANA KATZ

In print | Published August 26, 2008

Although orientation does a good job of acclimatizing both incoming freshmen and transfer students to the wonderfully unique environment that is Swarthmore, it cannot teach you everything. As a supplement to the information imparted to new students during orientation, The Phoenix offers you some pearls of wisdom — all volunteered by veteran Swatties — to help you ease into campus life.

Respect the Sharples Lines

Now that it has been established that Sharples is not, in fact, terrible, you might want to spend a little bit more time in the food lines browsing for options and assembling the perfect breakfast burrito. Unless you feel like incurring the wrath of hungry Swatties, it is best to get the items you will need for the perfect breakfast burrito and then assemble the aforementioned burrito when you are sitting down at a table. Lines are often long and all will be happier if they move fairly quickly.

Have Movie Nights

Instead of watching films on a small laptop screen or in the noise of Mephisto’s, you can reserve a room in Kohlberg, Science Center 101 or Science Center 199, which come equipped with a projector and large screen. To obtain one of these spaces for an evening, simply click on the “reserve space” link on the student dashboard.

You Can Get Locked In McCabe

Although you are clearly alerted to leave McCabe when 2 a.m. rolls around, it is possible to sleep through or blatantly ignore the warnings. After the lights are shut off and the doors are locked, the innocent library becomes something akin to a terrifying labyrinth. There are horror stories floating around campus about students groping fearfully in the dark to find a way to escape. Do not let this happen to you.

Papazian has Roof Access

Enough said.

Philadelphia is Close and Media is Closer

Your first semester at Swathmore can be very overwhelming and it is easy to feel trapped on campus. However, try to make some time to take the R3 into Philadelphia to explore the restaurants, museums, film screenings and historical sights that the city has to offer.

If the twenty five minute ride into Center City is too much, start out by going to Media, which is also on the R3 line and has a fair number of great places to eat. For a special treat, check out Fellini’s Café on a Monday night. The waitresses will sing opera while you attempt to finish a more than generous helping of pasta.

Swarthmore has a Philly Car Share Space

If you do not feel like taking SEPTA or need a car, the borough of Swarthmore was recently equipped with a Philly Car Share space. Anyone over the age of 18 who has a valid driver’s license is eligible to register for the service online. With many different rental rates, Philly Car Share makes it easy to acquire a vehicle. Go to phillycarshare.org to sign up and start driving.

Ask Questions

The best way to get to know Swarthmore is by asking a lot of questions. Students, faculty, and staff are extremely approachable and are happy to guide you if you are lost. On a similar note, it is also completely okay to ask your professor for an extension on a paper or project. It can feel embarrassing to request more time but professors usually do not regard it as a big deal if you approach them ahead of the due date.

Swarthmore Is Beautiful

You have probably been told that Swarthmore’s campus is an arboretum more than fifty times at this point. No matter how annoying these reminders get, take some time to wander around and visit all of the semi-hidden spots such as Crum Henge by Crum Creek, the whispering bench, and the bamboo garden.

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