First off, I’d just like to welcome everyone back to school, and freshmen, welcome for the first time. Please save your social lives and general self-esteem and don’t take General Chemistry. (Note: I have never taken a chemistry class, or really any science class here, so do with that advice what you will.) With the South 40 now the cultural equivalent of Epcot Center, we’ve come back to school expecting Splash Mountain to be a short monorail ride away. Amidst the glitz and glam of our new South 40, there resides a tiny dirty gem hidden in the bookstore. “Bear it All” is a guide for Wash. U. students, potential students and alumni written by students.

In Wash. U.’s current pamphlet era —yes, coin that term—it’s great that seniors Alex Portera, Sean Fischer and Sam Werboff have taken it upon themselves to shed some light on what Wash. U. is really like. When walking into the new Bear’s Den feels like walking into an architect’s computerized rendition of what Bear’s Den should be like, we need a reality check. “Bear it All” provides exactly that. It is such a good idea that I’m surprised a guide like this hasn’t been in existence for some time already. In our universe of tour guides, glossy propaganda and endless new buildings, it’s nice to see a real, yet still glowing, review of all that Wash. U. has to offer. The University-sponsored spiel has its place. I mean after all, once upon a time I did decide to attend this school, but a little dirt, humor and student perspective never hurt anyone.

“Bear it All” provides an insider’s perspective on the culture of all four of our colleges (Arts & Sciences, Olin, Engineering, Sam Fox Art School), advice on the social scene (yes, Wash. U. students drink), while still steeping so low as to talk about the best places to, how should I say this, “poop,” on campus. Articles such as “The Art of the One Night Stand: How to Beat the Curve in Orgasmic Chemistry” even tackle taboo subjects such as sex (gasp). My guess is that Orgasmic Chemistry is probably not in the course listings. I applaud these students for their general ballsiness and fortitude in conquering the muddy waters of Wash. U.’s seedy underbelly.

But enough praise. I really don’t like giving anyone’s opinions credit other than my own (hence why I choose to write for Forum). What “Bear it All” is really emblematic of is a growing need for reality in an increasingly fake bubble. The South 40, in my opinion, was already once of the nicest residential living situations for freshmen I had ever seen on any college campus. Rather than funneling more money into glamorous, and possibly unnecessary, renovations of an already beautiful campus, spend some of that effort on creating a sports culture that students can get excited about. I guarantee you that a reputation for exciting sporting events, you know, ones with tailgates, face paint and massive mobbing crowds, would attract more students than an ivy-covered balcony overlooking the student-run businesses.

I’m all for comfortable and beautiful accommodations, and I cannot even explain how impressed I am by how the campus and the South 40 look, but college students don’t want or need to be that protected. Let’s get rowdy at a football game, let’s take lots of Orgasmic Chemistry. As AJ Sundar said in his column in our opening issue, there is no default college experience. There are, however, certain fundamental aspects of a college that will nearly universally improve a campus atmosphere. At this point in my life, I’d rather brag about the crazy time I had cheering for the Bears basketball team (it’s actually good), than about my twin extra-large Tempurpedic mattress. I say it’s time for a little grit and edge in the Wash. U. experience. Just don’t tell the U.S. News & World Report.