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TIP #6: MOCOS

The term “Mocos” means “morning cocktail” aka the day drink. Mocos is a huge social event on the Lehigh Campus. You dress in the most absurd things and get together. The best part is, no one cares what you're wearing because everyone else is wearing things just as crazy as you are! From bucket hats to fanny packs, mocos adds a little extra excitement to Lehigh��s social events.

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Invest in a mocos bin. This bin is your Mary Poppins bag filled with insane articles of clothing. See something weird in the store? Grab it. It’ll make the perfect mocos outfit. Anything can make a perfect mocos outfit - high knee socks, tutus, basketball jerseys, patterned leggings; just about anything works!

Too cold to drink outside? Wear a onesies. Onesies are full body suit pajamas that’ll keep you warm the entire day. If you get a little hot, wear a tank top underneath and tie the arms around your waist! 

The crazier, the better! You can find things to wear at mocos either on Amazon or at a store near Lehigh itself - CityTrends. 

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#finalsweek #finals (at Fairchild & Martindale)

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TIP #5: GREEK LIFE

If you’re not an athlete, odds are you’re probably in greek life. 40% of males and 45% of females at Lehigh are currently in a frat/sorority. There are 16 fraternities and 12 sororities on Lehigh’s campus. 

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If you plan on joining a frat or sorority, choose the house that you life, not the one that everyone else likes. There’s always going to be “that cool frat” or that “crazy sorority”, but keep in mind these people are suppose to be your sisters/brothers. Choose the house that makes you feel at home.

Rush is in the spring, which means you have to spend your entire fall flirting with current house members. Finding someone you like in each frat/sorority will help you get an idea of who is in which house. Text your friends in the house and ask them about what parties to go to so you’re able to get a sense of who they are and they’ll get a sense of who you are.

The houses are amazing. The Lehigh campus is place on a mountain, putting the greek life at the very top. Most of Lehigh’s fraternities and sororities have their own chapter houses located on the “Hill” along Upper and Lower Sayre Park Roads. These houses are huge and can hold up to over 30 people in them.

If you’re interested in getting to know the frats and sororities, here’s a link to learn more about them! https://studentaffairs.lehigh.edu/content/fraternities-and-sororities

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TIP #4: WINTER

As a student from Florida taking on the Pennsylvania winter ... I hate it. It gets cold, gloomy and windy. But nothing beats the snow! When the Lehigh campus is covered in snow, it’s like a Winter Wonderland. Nothing is better than receiving an email from faculty announcing a SNOW DAY! yes, a snow day! A day where you don't have to go to class because there’s too much snow on campus. What an amazing email to receive! Go out and make a snow angel! The campus is covered with tree and when they catch the snow, it’s stunning.

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GO SLEDDING! But know where to sled. The UC Lawn is good for beginners - a bunny slope. Slightly steep, slightly flat, but long enough to catch a good and enjoyable ride. Are you a more advanced sledder? The Blue Square trail is located on the Dravo Lawn. A solid thirty-degree slope that’ll take you 1-2 bumps. Just make sure you dodge the trees!  Now, I know there are a lot of dare devils and lunatics out there but just make sure to wear a helmet. The Double Black Diamond trial is located below Lower Centennial, the Zoellner Arts Center/Rauch Business Center hill. This hill is approximately an 80 degree angle straight down towards the side walk and lamp posts. You’ll also have to be able to maneuver yourself away from the stair case that runs along the side of the Zoellner building.  Now that you know the slopes, know your choice of mobility! You could use an inflatable sled, skis, pizza boxes, bins and even trash bags. Here’s a link to multiple choices of sleds: https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=inflatable%20sled&typeahead=inflatable%20sle

When walking to class, make sure to stay caution of the black ice! Black ice is a transparent layer of ice that tends to coat pavement. On our hilly campus that’s filled with stair cases, it’s important to hold the railing to avoid slipping. You can get very hurt.

As you know, Lehigh is in Pennsylvania so temperatures can drop below thirty degrees! SO BUNDLE UP! Extra layers of socks and jackets, think snow boots as well as gloves and hats. It gets cold here. Lehigh dorm facilities blessed us with a heater in each room. So crank the heat up and stay nice and cozy away from the freezing cold. 

Although it may be cold, embrace it! Make some hot chocolate and watch christmas movies with your friends or walk around campus and take pictures of it covered in snow. It’s practically a Winter Wonderland.

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TIP #3: THE BUSES

Transportation....TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT!  The Lehigh campus was built into a mountain and walking up and down can be exhausting.  If you're living in Drinker and have to walk all the down to class in the Rauch Business Center, you’re going to hate hauling your butt up that hill. If you’re a freshman, odds are you don't have a car so take advantage of the bus service and TRACs. Unless you’re part billygoat, you’re going to want to take the bus, but make sure you get on the right one!  

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Know which bus you’re getting on. You could be wanting to go back to your dorm, but next thing you know you’re at Goodman Stadium because you got on the wrong bus. There are 5 bus services: Campus Connector (Green Route), Mountaintop Express (Blue Route), Packer Express (Brown Route), T.R.A.C.S. Service (Red Route), and Athletics Bus Service.  If you’re trying to go back to your room or to your classes, you’ll want to hop on the Packer Express. But if you’re a super genius and need to go to Iacocca Hall, Mountaintop Express is the bus for you.

You can wait for the bus at the bus stops around campus. All of the bus stops have a place where you can sit under incase it rains. The bus stops have tv monitors that tells you where each bus is currently and the route it’s on. The most popular bus stops are next to Packard, Between Williams and Taylor Gym, and one by Upper and Trembly.

Look both ways before crossing the street! Cliche but so true. If you are walking, watch out for the buses! They are big and drive fast. Some of the drivers are ruthless and whip around. Our campus has terrible roads and tight corners and when a bus is turning that corner, make sure you're not in the way!

TRACs is your friend, so be nice to the drivers.  When you're out partying on East 5th and craving Hawks Nest, nothing feels like more of a blessing than seeing the beige van turning the corner. Be polite, be respectful. They’ve been driving all night long, the least you could do is say thank you.

If it’s raining or snowing or you just need to know where the bus is, you can access the bus location on the Lehigh website! http://bus.lehigh.edu

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TIP #2: THE RIVARY

Lehigh vs. Lafayette (LeLaf) .. The most-played football rivalry in the nation and the longest uninterrupted annual rivalry series. As of 2017, an exact 153 football games have been played. The moment you got accepted into Lehigh University, you should have thrown away everything you own that’s maroon or leopard print. This is so much more than a football game. All Lehigh and Lafayette alumni come back to celebrate this tradition. This game comes with a 10 day long celebration to hype the students, staff and alumni up for this extraordinary event. The coming together of the new and old Lehigh classes is what makes this school remarkable.

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Enjoy the band! The Marching 97 plays some amazing music to get the student’s excited for the game. They roam around the school blasting the trumpet and banging on the drums. They’re having fun so you should too! Who cares if they’re playing outside your dorm at 10′clock at night or jumping on your desk during class - it’s fun! Embrace it!

Go to the game. You’ll regret not going when Lehigh kicks Lafayette’s butt in the fourth quarter because you “didn't want to spend the money”. You have a limited amount of chances to be apart of this tradition - take advantage of it.

Make a bed sheet!! There’s nothing funnier than walking around fifth street and reading all of the signs hanging from the houses talking about how lame lafayette is. Be apart of it and go to target and buy a bed sheet and some spray paint. Make sure you tie is tight though or have a spare because Laf likes to take their time and drive 30 minutes to steal them.

ENJOY IT! Take in every moment possible because you only get to do this 4 times in your college career (unless you’re a fifth year).

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TIP #1: LEHIGH PLAGUE

The moment you hear the sniffling in class, the covered coughs in the halls and the sneezing in the library, that’s when you know the Lehigh Plague is near. The Lehigh Plague is a sickness that spreads like a wildfire throughout the Lehigh University campus.  Its symptoms consist of a sore throat, coughing, runny nose and more.  With 4 o'clocks coming around the corner, stress levels are high and the hours of sleep are low; the plague is unavoidable.  

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If you want to avoid the plague, start by washing your hands. 80% of communicable diseases are transferred by touch. Something as easy as carrying a Bed, Bath, Beyond hand sanitizer could be your shield from getting sick.

Relax and get some sleep. I know you feel that if you don't get that A, you're failing at life but if you get a full nights rest, your brain is able to soak in all that information. You’ll be able to take your test without having to get up and blow your nose 5 times.

Eat healthy! Seriously .. Although the cup of Ramen Noodles sounds convenient and appetizing as you're study late at night but try to go for meats and veggies. It will boost your immune system and keep you healthy