You’ve toured the campus, read all the brochures you could get your hands on and stalked your future classmates’ Facebook profiles — but you still don’t think you have a good idea of what lies ahead. Like every school, the College of William and Mary has its advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a snapshot of the College’s best and worst traditions:

*Best: Opening Convocation*: You worked your butt off to get into this school, so it seems only fair that you get a standing ovation, right? Well, that’s what Convocation is, more or less. Each year, the freshman class walks through the Sir Christopher Wren Building to receive a warm and enthusiastic greeting from hundreds of students at the College.

*The Triathlon*: For thrill seekers, the Triathlon is a must before graduation. Students must streak across the Sunken Garden, jump the Governor’s Palace wall and swim the Crim Dell. Jumping the wall is often a bonding experience for many freshman halls.

*Blowout*: On the last day of classes in the spring, the College offers fun activities in the Sunken Garden including Moon bounces and free food giveaways. Many students pre-game their classes, which is typically in preparation for getting totally wasted later that day. Some don’t even wait that long.

*Late-Night Wawa Runs*: Many a friendship has been cemented on a late-night trip to Wawa. While it may not seem like a big deal to grab a snack during a study break or after a night of partying, you may find that you have the best conversations with your friends during these late night trips.

*Yule Log*: Students look forward to this yearly tradition which includes the president of the College in full Santa Claus costume, reading “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and the vice president of student affairs reading a special version of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Afterward, two good-luck logs are passed through the crowd for anyone to touch, and then the spectators toss a sprig of holly into the large fire to rid themselves of worries for the following year.

*Worst: Freshman Orientation*: When it comes to bonding with your hallmates and those funny but awkward moments at mixers, freshman orientation is great. The downside is the unrelenting heat, nonstop walking and boring lectures. Despite all the trekking, many students are still totally lost on the first day of classes.

*Registration*: It’s a necessary evil. During freshman and sophomore year, you probably won’t get all the classes you want. If the Banner system is being difficult, you could get kicked out two seconds into the registration period., and if you’re really unlucky, you might even sleep through registration and wake up to find all of the slots in the good classes have been filled.

*Football games*: Students at the College definitely have Tribe Pride and go wild for Homecoming. However, football games usually are accompanied with a familiar disappointment. The student section is often filled with green and gold spirit — usually sported by the pep band.

*Family Weekend*: When you’re a freshman and you feel like a fish out of water, Family Weekend may seem like a lifeline. In a temporary return to normalcy, you get to hang out with your family and friends at receptions, concerts and other planned activities. But, it is always nice to have mom and dad buy a nice dinner off campus.

*Final Exam Period*: During final exams, most students get about four to five hours of sleep. Students leave the library with red eyes at 2 a.m. and then station themselves at its entrance bright and early the next morning at 8 a.m. It’s a stressful time, but it makes Blowout that much more enjoyable.

Not only does the College of William and Mary come with its own charms — like brick walkways and historic traditions — it also has its own language. To lessen the confusion, we have provided you with some of the College’s most common colloquialisms.

*Add/Drop*: This two-week period at the beginning of the semester begins Wednesday, Aug. 26 and ends Friday, Sept. 4. During this time, students can drop classes, add additional classes or change their meal plans with no penalty. Take advantage of this time to try to get into the classes that were full during registration.

*AMP*: Alma Mater Productions hosts concerts and weekly activities for the College. This group plans everything from the Homecoming concert to comedy shows to movies in the Sunken Garden.

*Blowout*: Called “Last Day of Classes” by the Administration, this is a long-held and beloved campus tradition. Many students drunkenly celebrate the conclusion of classes each semester by enjoying the free food and festivities offered.

*The Caf*: The largest of the College’s dining facilities — officially referred to as the Commons — offers more options than the Center Court dining hall in the Sadler Center. It is ideal for vegetarian or vegan students because it features both vegetarian and pasta stations. The Caf is located across from Yates Hall on Ukrop Drive.

*The Cheese Shop*: This student favorite restaurant is found in CW— across from the Trellis — boasts delicious and made-to-order sandwiches. When tired of campus food, head down to this quaint eatery to purchase a bag of bread ends for only $1 and a cup of house dressing for a cheap, but delicious, snack or meal.

*Confusion Corner*: The intersection of five streets — Richmond Road, Jamestown Road, starts at Confusion Corner and ends at the Capitol Building. Favorite student restaurants such as the Trellis and Fat Canary are situated along this pedestrian street.

*Ho House*: The Hospitality House, one of the hotels most popular with the parents because of its proximity to campus, is located on Richmond Road across from the Alumni House. The hotel’s lounge is often crowded on Friday nights when students and professors alike gather to participate in karaoke.

*Jamestown Beach*: On warm days at the College, many students make the 15-minute drive down the Colonial Parkway to Jamestown Beach, which isalso referred to as College Creek. Located on the James River, this beach offers an alternative to tanning in the Sunken Garden or making the hour-long drive to Virginia Beach.

*Mug Night*: Every Sunday night, students and townies converge on the Green Leafe. After the purchase of a colorful Leafe mug, customers receive a discount on the multitude of beers on tap when filling their mug during this weekly event.

*TWAMP*: The abbreviation for the “Typical William and Mary Person,” used by many students and outsiders to refer to people who fit any of the College’s stereotypes — studious, very active in extracurricular activities, no social life, etc.

*Sadler Center*: This building will be a regular stop during your time here at the College, as it houses many dining options — such as Lodge 1, the Center Court dining hall, the Sex Change and Quizno’s. Students also send and receive mail at the Post Office inside the SC. Some upperclassmen still refer to the building as the UC (University Center) since it was only renamed two years ago.

*Sex Change*: The convenience store located in the basement of Sadler Center — officially named the Student Exchange — is lovingly shortened by students to Sex Change. When in a hurry, or if you just want a light lunch, stop by and try the sushi or organic food products offered there. Here, students can also spend their Flex, Express, cash, or credit to purchase munchies for late-night study sessions or ice cream and bulk candy to pull them through midterms.

*Steer Clear*: A student-run organization that provides students with free transportation around the College and surrounding Williamsburg area on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Whether drunk, stranded or just too tired to walk, the white vans — driven by students — will pick you up and take you to your next destination.

Seeing as the College of William and Mary is the second oldest in the nation, it has its fair share of history. But with centuries of students comes centuries of gossip, which, over the years has turned into legend. Whether fact or fiction, each such story must be taken with a grain of salt. You should feel free to investigate the truth and rumors behind them.

Arguably the most famous campus ghost, this haunt visits students who choose to pull all-nighters in the classroom on the third floor of St. George Tucker Hall. The ghost’s identity is yet unknown, as it has been rumored to be anyone ranging from a resident of Colonial Williamsburg during the Revolution to a disgruntled or suicidal student at the College.

Students reportedly began hearing mysterious footsteps in the Wren Building shortly after the Revolutionary War. They claimed that the ghosts were French soldiers who died in the building, although nowadays students maintain that it is Sir Christopher Wren himself, roaming the very building he designed.
The spirits of students who were forced to attend the Indian school that was housed in the Brafferton are said to run across campus at night. The best time to sneak a peek is on misty night in the Sunken Garden. The ghosts run a few feet above the ground down the length of the Garden.

Underground steam tunnels exist on both Old and Ancient Campus. The tunnels are said to connect to the Wren Chapel burial vault, located in the basement of the Wren Building. In 1977, access to the crypt from the tunnels was blocked with the addition of a padlocked steel door to prevent vandalism. During that time, supposedly, it was popular for fraternity brothers to sneak into the crypt and steal a bone from the tomb of James Blair. It is rumored that secret societies use these tunnels to move around campus.

There are at least nine secret societies on campus, including The 7s, The 13s, The Alphas, The Bishop James Madisons and The Flat Hats. Look for signs of them throughout the year, particularly around the time of Homecoming and graduation. If they deem you worthy, you may be contacted by them out of gratitude for your contribution to the College community or even invited to join their closeted rankings.

The legend behind the Crim Dell is that if you walk across it’s bridge with your significant other and kiss at the top, you are destined to marry that person and be in love forever. If you break up, however, you will remain cursed unless one member of the hopeless couple pushes the other into the Crim Dell. It’s never agreed upon as to who should be chucked over the edge — girls will say it’s the boy who should be pushed, and boys will say it’s the girl. Avoid walking across it alone, however, unless you want to be doomed to a life of loneliness.

Less grave, however, is the myth surrounding the statue of Lord Botetourt. Allegedly, if you touch the statue, you’ll get a good grade on your next test. Couldn’t hurt to try, right?