Independent Study

This spring term I am taking chemistry in order to fulfill my lab requirement, but I really wanted to keep up with my French since I am considering double majoring. There was no course offered for my level of French this term that fit with my schedule so my professor offered to lead an independent study for me and another girl from my class. It's not an official course. He just cares enough about our work in French to go out of his way to continue to teach us. There is no other school where professors will take that kind of time out of their day to help you out. 

Spring

So now that winter term is behind us, it is finally time for spring term...the rainbow at the end of the school year. Most of my friends who go to other colleges are getting ready to take finals and head home for the summer by now. But I would so much rather be at school right now for spring term. The weather is finally nice outside and everyone is in a great mood. Most of my friends are only taking one class so we all now have a lot more free time. I went tubing for the first time yesterday and the experience can only be described as awesome. 

Prom

For most people, prom is a once in a lifetime experience. But at Washington and Lee, you get to repeat it for four more years. Fancy Dress is one of the greatest traditions at Washington and Lee and I have to say, it lived up to the hype. The theme was a Dark Night and the gym looked like it had walked straight out of a Batman movie. The Fancy Dress committee did an amazing job. There were even ice sculptures. 

But really what Fancy Dress is all about is one great party and its one of the best experiences you'll ever have at Washington and Lee. The midnight breakfast doesn't hurt either.

Spirit

Last weekend, the Washington and Lee basketball team made a Cinderella run through the ODAC tournament. I got the opportunity to watch the semifinal game. After knocking off the #1 seed, the Generals put up a stellar performance to advance to the finals. But the experience was about more than just a game.  

The game was in Salem, which is about an hour drive away from Lexington. Combined with the cold and the rain, it made for a long journey. Yet the Washington and Lee fans still turned out in full force. They were easily the loudest fans in the arena. For a small school, Washington and Lee has a lot of spirit. 

The Generals won their semifinal match-up, but lost in the finals. But the fans' enthusiasm was more important than any victory. The fact that so many students were willing to make the trip to support their team shows the strength of the community spirit at Washington and Lee. 

Washington Break

I came home for the first couple days of Feb break and everyone I’ve seen simply asks me why I am here. As far as I know, Washington and Lee is the only school in the country that gives its students a week off for George Washington’s birthday. I can’t see any of my other college friends because they all have school this week, but I am certainly not complaining. A week-long break in the short, but never-ending month of February is just fine by me

In the Stands!

So this semester I’ve had the opportunity to attend several Washington and Lee men’s basketball games. Coming from Lawrence, Kansas where men’s basketball is essentially a religion, the basketball environment at Washington and Lee is a lot different.
The stands weren’t quite as full and the gym wasn’t quite as big, but if the yelling is anything to go by, the fans can certainly hang with any D-3 school. It’s not the same as a KU, Duke, or even North Carolina game, but Genny’s game day is definitely an experience every Washington and Lee student should have.

Rush

Unlike most universities, Washington and Lee has second semester rush. So instead of walking in blind to a school where you might hardly know anyone and trying to somehow find a sorority or fraternity that you like all while trying to adjust to classes and life away from home, you get the chance to actually meet and get to know upper-classmen and pick the house that’s really right for you.
Even with this benefit though, Rush week is still stressful. The hardest part is waiting around as the clock inches closer to four and wondering where you are going to get bids back to. Standing in the rain and snow in between houses didn’t always help people’s moods either.
As tough as Rush week is though, I just tried to remind myself that it was tough for everyone else too. Ultimately, you will get through it and chances are you’ll end up in the house that’s the best fit for you anyway. So plan on being stressed out, but look forward to when it’s over because that’s when the real fun starts.