Coming into WashU last fall, I was devoutly opposed to being on the pre-medical school track. I was intimidated by it.

This year’s freshman class will have the unique opportunity of being the first to go through college with artificial intelligence programs at their fingertips for all four years.

Is it a violation of the code of conduct on Hinge if my profile was created by ChatGPT, even if everything on it is true? Is that catfishing? How will people respond?

When I found out I was going to live in Beaumont 306, I began a doom scroll that left me feeling more dread than before.

Two years later, I still remember my first day at WashU: the humidity and harsh sunlight, the sound of cars honking on Shepley Drive mixed with the chatter of groups of friends on their way to tour each other’s dorm rooms, and the feeling of being completely overwhelmed.

For those new on campus (or even upperclassmen that have never bothered to learn), the dozens of acronyms thrown around at Washington University can be daunting.

While food probably isn’t your priority right now, as a rising sophomore, I find myself looking back on my first year wishing I knew more about WashU food and dorm cooking last fall.

Last year, as a freshman, I felt like I was doing something wrong.