I Stole a Lawn Chair and Got in Trouble (So You Don’t Have To)

Q: Does Carleton have any rules prohibiting the “long-term borrowing” of a lawn chair from the Bald Spot?

A: Not officially.

Q: Would you get in trouble if you took said lawn chair?

A: Only if you get caught.

Q: Should you actually take a lawn chair?

A: No. Hauling one from the Bald Spot to my dorm was way harder than expected. It’s NOT worth it.

Arriving at Carleton, it can be surprisingly hard to figure out the actual social norms, rules, and customs of college. I’m talking about our life beyond the stock-image pamphlets, pollyannaish blogs (like this one?), and unreasonably cheery dorm room tour videos.

Carleton has a dark side!

But don’t fret, young padawan. I’m here to teach you some of Carleton’s most important unwritten dos and don’ts!

DO: Use the Public Grills and Firepits (But Clean Up After Yourself)

You’ll notice grills scattered all over campus, and yes, you can use them whenever you want. No reservations or permissions needed! They’re perfect spots for everything from casual hangouts to club barbecues.

The same goes for the firepits on the Lyman Lakes and the Hill of Three Oaks. These spots are scenic, serene, relaxing, and constantly smell like s’mores and hotdogs. Many late-night conversations have been held here.

The key rule here is simple: clean up after yourself, and leave it better than you found it. Bring your own firewood and kindling, and put out the fire completely when finished. For the grills, make sure to scrape away as much grease as you can. The next group will thank you.

DON’T: Leave Your Laundry Sitting for Hours

This one of the quickest ways to annoy an entire dorm.

There’s nothing more guilt-tripping and awkward than removing someone else’s wet laundry out of the washer, even after waiting five extra minutes for them to come get it. Every time I have to do this, I scare myself with the potential awkwardness of getting caught in the act.

But if a machine has been sitting finished for a while, it’s fair game. Completely justified. Everyone’s busy, but shared spaces only work if people stay considerate of other people’s time too!

Set a time and be on time. 

DO: Be Polite to Campus Workers

As a former Sayles cafe worker, I can confirm that we notice, and worse, remember the rudes.

It’s better to be the student who says “thank you” and “please” than the student who doesn’t. Everyone’s dealing with stress and bad days, but taking it out on people who are helping you is never a good look. Kindness is remembered.

DON’T: Steal Lawn chairs and Hammocks

Let me say it clearly again: DO NOT STEAL LAWN CHAIRS. Use them all you want, just don’t relocate them to your dorm room.

Hammocks are a little different. All hammocks you see on campus are owned by students, not the school. If you see one hanging, it’s usually okay to use it briefly (but if you know whose it is, it’s always better to ask first). Either way, treat it like you’re borrowing from a friend.

DO: Go to Campus Traditions

For many of us, college is the last time when so many of your friends are all in the same place at once. Take advantage of this.

Carleton has a ton of traditions and events, and they’re some of the best ways to make lasting memories. I don’t want to spoil them, you’ll have to experience them yourself, but trust me when I say that they’re worth it.

Here’s one that I’m willing to spoil: Carleton’s Lunar New Year celebration. If you’re Asian like me, you might start missing some  types of cuisine not typically served at Carleton. This event not only has Asian food to remind, but also performances, ranging from K-Pop dances to lion dancing, which are all part of a huge show. Definitely a fun time!

Nick (he/him/his) is a sophomore from Seattle, Washington, and serves as the blog’s editor. He plans to double major in English and Economics with minors in Public Policy and Chinese. A member of Carleton’s Varsity Soccer team and Varsity Track team, he also enjoys staying active at the Recreation Center and running through the fields of the Arboretum. When not working out, he can often be found reading by Lyman Lakes if the mosquitoes choose to leave him alone that day.

On campus, Nick works as a Writing Consultant in the Academic Support Center, where he enjoys helping classmates with their papers. He serves as a Program Director at Project Friendship, where he also interns and hopes to expand the program’s reach. Additionally, he runs The Page Turners club, Carleton’s premiere book club.