So you’re a freshman. You can’t wait to be on your own, make new friends, and, possibly, meet as many girls as you can before it’s too late. Well, I’m here to challenge your ideas, give you a wake-up call, and, perhaps, a little hope for the next four years of your life.
First, a few words of wisdom or warning to brighten your first days here. Now, at all the tours and accepted student days you’ve heard people refer to this place as Rensselaer. That’s not quite accurate, Rensselaer is a neighboring town and the surrounding county, this is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Or, more popularly, RPI. You must remember this and pass it on to future generations.
Also, a word about the female situation here at RPI. As you know, only about one quarter of the student body is female. This may compel you to try extra hard to impress the ladies, if you’re interested in dating or befriending them. Please remember, however, to give the women here some space. We are surrounded by guys vying for our affection in the first few weeks of freshman year, and anyone who thinks that if we say "hi" we secretly mean "I really like you, too" will be avoided. And ladies, a few words for you as well. You will most likely have a handful of men who are trying very hard to impress you—do not take advantage of them. And on the opposite side of the coin, remember, even on this campus men may take advantage of women. So protect yourself. If you go to a party, go with a friend and watch out for each other.
OK, now that you’re sufficiently concerned, I’ll tell you that life here isn’t so bad. Yes the hall bathrooms can get disgusting, especially on Sunday morning, but you can always move off campus next year. There is hope. And there is a lot to do on campus and in Troy, believe it or not. Your fabulous tour of downtown Troy during SO Continued may leave you disappointed, but there are things to do in the area. On campus there are usually at least a few things going on. You can join The Poly, or one of many other clubs, just check them out at the Activities Fair on Thursday. There are religious and cultural groups, clubs for the active person (Rensselaer Outing Club, ballroom dancing, rugby), clubs for the not-so active person (the Gaming Club, the X-Files Club), and activities for everyone in between. If you don’t want to commit to a club, you can just enjoy the activities they sponsor. There are three UPAC movies a week in the DCC, and cultural fairs, concerts, comedians, and musical guests on a regular basis.
There are the sports games, too. Football is popular in the fall and obviously hockey in the winter, but our other teams play regularly too, and often for little to no money. Soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, whatever interests you, you can probably catch a few of their games. And there is always just hanging out in the Union. The Rathskellar has the Games Room and dining areas, plus places just to sit and talk with friends. And, as you will soon find out, you can always rush a fraternity or sorority. There are many fraternities on campus and a few sororities, so if you think that is what you might like, you could probably find a group you connect with. Plus there are non-traditional activities, like sledding down one of many hills on campus on a dining hall tray or making a Wal-Mart run with your one friend with a car.
But even this may get old, fast, especially if you are stressed with classwork. And it may happen that you need something that can’t be found at Wal-Mart, inconceivable as it is. Crossgates Mall is only about 20 minutes away and has movie theaters, restaurants, and shops. For something a little closer, you may want to go downtown. Fourth Street has many shops for the average college student. You can get pizza for about $1 at both I Love New York pizza and Gino’s. Both places give you a huge New York style slice with a soda, and are located next door to each other on the corner of Fourth and Congress.
Across the street from pizza is Elda’s "nightclub." Well, ok, I guess it’s a genuine nightclub, but I’ve only been there twice, and I can’t imagine it being fun if you didn’t go with friends in the first place. I certainly wouldn’t try picking anyone up there. If you do want to give Elda’s a whirl be aware it is dead until about midnight, and then quickly fills with people and cigarette smoke.
If you spend all night in downtown Troy, Manory’s restaurant across from I Love New York pizza will give you a good breakfast at a decent price. Actually, if you go to Manory’s at any time it’s open you can get breakfast (or lunch or dinner). Further down on Fourth Street you will find a chocolate shop and a great bookstore. If you are at all interested in reading for pleasure you will find what you like here, and you’ll be pleased with the prices too.
Down on River Street there’s the Troy Pub and Brewery, which will give you a good meal and on-the-spot made rootbeer. Their prices are higher than other restaurants in the downtown area, but they are certainly reasonable. I’ve heard Bella Napoli, a great italian café, is also down on River Street. I’ve had their cookies, they’re delicious, this would be a great place for a casual date, or just coffee with friends. If you’re looking for some sketchy entertainment, there’s also a "gentlemen’s club" on River Street called Rick’s Café Americain.
If you want to find more restaurants in the area, check out past issues of The Poly online or watch in upcoming issues for the Words to Eat By restaurant review column. The Poly will also inform you of upcoming events on- or offcampus (concerts at Pepsi Arena or SPAC) and give you the date and time (as well as reports on) most sports games.
As you spend more time in Troy you and your circle of friends will discover your own places to frequent. I have not listed everything I know of, but you can find almost anything you need to know in the RPI Student Handbook. So, do not fear Troy. Go out to parks, restaurants, and clubs and enjoy your free time, if there is any. Your experience here is what you make of it, and with everything RPI and Troy offers it would be hard to not find something you like to do.
