DD: Harriet Tubman Quadrangle

Dear Diary,

My freshman year, I lived on the third floor of Frazier Hall in the Quad, and despite the infamous heat, I wouldn't have changed that experience for the world.

I lived in a double with a girl from Maryland by the way of Jamaica, named Kellie. Some of my friends were having textbook, reality-show-roommate drama – complete with near-fistfights and months of ignoring each other – but I didn't experience any of that.

We shared with one another, always asked permission before borrowing something, and just, plain respected each other's space.

Other than my old roommate, the only thing I miss more about the Quad is the location. Freshman ladies, make sure you cherish living less than 10 minutes away from your classes while you have it. I literally used to take naps during my 1-hour breaks between classes, and it was nothing to rush back to my room to pick up something I'd forgotten.

I won't make it sound like it was all rainbows and sunshine. There was that solid week in the dead of winter when our radiator just wouldn't work. Or the time that a nasty prank was played on our floor and ResLife tried to blame us for it. And I don't want to be within 10-feet of a communal shower again until it's time for me to take my kids to college.

But overall, the Quad is the setting of some of my fondest Howard memories. Whenever I happen to walk down 4^th Street, I get this sickening feeling of nostalgia. In the future, I know I'll be that annoying alumna who tries to sneak a peek at her freshman dorm room. And that's fine with me.

I got ready for my first day of classes, my first "real, college date," and my first college party in that room. I watched the 2008 election results in that room. I spent entire nights talking and gossiping with my roommate in that room. It really was that "real college experience" that alumni are always trying to sell those crazy people who prefer the Annex. In short, Q-U-A-D! Awww yeah!