Breezy Days: What You Need to Know Living in Provo + Going to BYU

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June 21, 2014

What You Need to Know Living in Provo + Going to BYU


Jesse is starting his first day ever of college this next Monday, so here's some things he needs to know to live in Provo and be a BYU cougar! These are all things you'd know if you've lived here a while, and it's become basic knowledge to Provoites. If you have any more to add, please comment!

Dear Jesse,

// First off, know the difference between University AVENUE and University PARKWAY. It's tricky at first, but it will save you a lot of trouble when navigating to the hip freshmen spots {i.e. dollar theater, university mall, nickelcade, etc.}

// Speaking of navigating Provo, you'll notice that streets don't have actual names. It's the grid system that is "supposedly" going to help newcomers find their way through the city. A huge help when trying to figure this out is knowing that the MOUNTAINS WITH THE 'Y' ARE EAST. Heading towards the mountains or away from the mountains is an adequate way of explaining where you're going.

{My good friend Ammon and I got sucked into this group date. He is a stud and pretended not to see me dying or those hideous pigtails haha}

// I will not allow you to take a girl on the "typical BYU date." Which is: hiking the Y or feeding the ducks in conjunction with local food. I repeat....I will not allow this. Go with some freshmen guy friends to hike the Y, but please don't take a date. Girls want to look pretty for you, not like a sweaty pig sucking air to get up those dang switchbacks.

// Pedestrians have a death wish. They will fling their body out into the street before looking both ways and just pray that cars will stop for them. Keep in mind and allow time for this stupidity while you're driving.

// Speaking of Utah drivers...they don't participate in the following driving practices: using a blinker to signal lane changes, waiting their turn at 4-way stops, actually braking at a red light {they like to run them}, or slowing down to turn...instead they slam on their brakes and take the turn like a 90 year old woman. Take the extra time to be a cautious & smart driver, it pays off!

{This will be you soon...another Elder Grossman!}

// Don't bother going out to eat on Wednesday afternoons, that's when missionaries get their free meals at local restaurants before heading into the MTC. Which you'll be doing soon enough :)

// Every Tuesday at 11am there is a devotional at BYU in the Marriott center {where the basketball court is}, which means all of campus closes down for it. Including the Cougareat and Canon Center. Don't plan on eating at that time.

// You may get sick of Canon Center cafeteria food. Good food alternatives are: Cafe Rio, Chick-fil-a, Zupas, Del Taco, Taqueria Vaquero, or Firehouse Subs. Make sure to also hit up Sodalicious by Smiths grocery store and the Hokulia Shaved Ice right by the dorms!

// On State St, the restaurant labeled Rancheritos is actually locally referred to as Betos. The horchata & burritos taste BOMB in the middle of the night.

// You'll soon know for yourself, but BYU students work their rears off! Don't be alarmed when it's a nice day out to see the grassy areas strewn with exhausted students. Actually, read your scriptures and take a nap in the warm sun once in a while. It's good for the soul. But don't sleep in a weird place/position because a fellow student will snap a pic of you for @byusleeps Instagram.

// BYU is filled with a bunch of overachieving goobers. So you're bound to see some interesting things. Such as: various groups breaking out into song in the middle of campus, people over-the-top decked out in costume at Halloween, inspirational chalk quotes to get you up the killer south campus staircase, people with "free hug" signs {take advantage on a bad day}, tunnel singing over by the dorms, and lots of LDS pun posters. Just shake your head, laugh and say "Only at BYU..."

{Me & Grant at the Festival of Colors my freshmen year}

// Provo has a lot of fun activities to offer! Summer rooftop concerts once a month, Velour concerts, themed marathons {color run, costume, glow in the dark}, Festival of Colors {in Spanish Fork}, state of the art Rec Center, 7 Peaks, Provo Canyon, Bridal Veil Falls, Saturday Farmers Markets, Thursday night food truck roundup, natural hot springs, Provo river floating, and tons more!

// Provo is biker friendly, it's a fun way to get around...not to mention the mountain view is gorgeous!

// The Testing Center is filled to the brim with stress, anxiety, and people tripping over backpacks to walk through the narrow aisles. Instead of taking tests in classrooms, teachers will tell you that your test is available in the Testing Center for 3-4 days. To avoid stress, long lines, late fees and brain cramming; make sure to take the test the first or second day it is available. You can also check the length of a line on the Testing Center website to determine if you want to take it then, or at a later time.

// Although, I would suggest taking a test any Monday night you can...because sometimes FHE groups will be standing outside the Testing Center exit doors with treats, praise, and high fives.

// Also, make sure to be super freshly shaven before going to try and take a test. Keep a razor in your backpack just in case or you'll be turned away for some beard scruff!

// Some of the closest and bestest friends I have today, I met my freshmen year at BYU. Participate in activities where you have the opportunity to meet lots of different people, but make sure to invest in the keepers.

// People are pretty friendly, so it's not weird to find a table full of complete strangers and ask to sit with them to eat or study.

// Make sure to utilize your teachers, TAs, and any friends you make in your classes. It makes all the difference! Plus it's always fun to run into old class friends on campus and chat it up.

If you have any more questions, just know your big sister is just down the road ;) Love you & have fun!

<3 Bri

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Best big sister ever. And now I wish I lived in Provo. Lol!!

Sierra @ Sierra's View said...

Such good advice. And soooo true! Haha

Alexa Zurcher said...

Totally passing this onto my bro when he gets home!

Kelsey Eaton said...

this is so cute! awesome ideas and advice, best sister ever!