Keepin' it real in the Homewood

It's entirely plausible for Hopkins students, especially the inaugural freshman class, to feel dubious about the merits of exploring the inner workings of Baltimore. Our charm city is not exactly known as the most inviting of all college towns. After all, the new HBO drama, The Wire, which depicts the drug trade in America, isn't set in Baltimore for nothing.

But that does not mean that students from the Hopkins community should despair. Indeed, there are times when Homewood campus positively brims with exciting events to attend, such as the annual SpringFair, held towards the end of spring semester every year. The three-day spectacle boasts myriad vendors bearing colorful crafts, exotic foods and other intriguing items. Make sure to try the berry smoothies that they offer! Students who are over 21 can let loose in the Beer Garden; its name says it all. Hopkins' very own carnival takes place on Garland Field, so you can rest assured that HopCops and the local Baltimore police force will make sure that your safety is guaranteed.

Dorm living is the prime spot for scoping out interesting things to do without wandering off Homewood. All of the ingredients that make for an interesting afternoon (or evening) are right at your fingertips. Those fortunate enough to live in the AMR's have the added amenity of being able to roam over to any one of their several hundred neighbors, without having to bother with those pesky access cards (as is the case that those wishing to visit the residents of Wolman, McCoy, or Buildings A/B encounter).

During Orientation week last year, my entire house and our neighboring house played Truth-or-Dare Jenga. We played for hours, sprawled out on the third floor of our house. A silly game reserved for children, you think? Actually, that game probably produced some of the most interesting scenarios of the year and provided for hours of laughter and ample opportunities for inside jokes. Just don't forget the camera!

Go ahead and grab some friends from your house and from neighboring houses and go on the prowl. Last year, my house actually played midnight Frisbee on D- Level! If catching flying objects in a forbidden environment isn't your thing, rest assured that there are other alternatives. The auditoriums in Shriver Hall and Bloomberg (as well as Gilman, on occasion) frequently show both new and classic movies, and always at a much better price than you would pay at either Towson Commons or The Charles.

When the weather gets nice, half of the undergrads at Hopkins head over to the beach to enjoy the "lawn." Even upperclassmen who live way off campus can be seen meandering over to the beach, Frisbees in one hand, books clutched in the other. If it gets too crowded, try staging a coup d'etat of the lawn that faces AMR II. Bring your own beach towels and textbooks, and prepare to enjoy the fresh air.

Curing the Terrace-inspired anxiety is relatively easy, as well. After traveling back home and basking in that delicious home-cooked fare that only Mom can whip up, plan to take a small portion back to the dorms. Arrange with several friends to do the same. When you all come back from Thanksgiving break, partake in a potluck-style activity. This way, you can assuage the sting of coming back to schoolwork and studying. What's unique about this solution is that it enables you to engage in a fun, cultural activity (tasting different ethnic dishes), without stepping much more than a few steps off of campus.

Integral to enjoying the college experience is maximizing the resources you have at hand. It doesn't matter that Baltimore is sketchier than many other American cities. There are myriad methods to having fun on campus. The key is to be creative and maintain a positive attitude!