Best Of: Pitt

Class at Pitt: Introduction to Psychology

Students in search of… Class at Pitt: Introduction to Psychology

Students in search of that quintessential college experience should look no further than “Intro to Psych,” a class that — based on enrollment numbers alone — should be considered one of the finest in the history of the school. Pitt News voters reaffirmed that seemingly self-evident fact, placing this course atop their list of preferences for yet another academic year. But when faced with grueling “alternatives” that involved writing tedious term papers or actually having to participate in class, did they really have any other choice?

Editors’ Pick: Narrative and Technology

Class to sleep through: Introduction to Psychology

Still fighting your horrible three-day hangover? Didn’t get enough sleep following your latest 48-hour marathon round of Madden 2012 dynasty building? If so, just pull on a pair of loose sweats and a dirty hoodie, drag yourself to Intro to Psych and curl up for a long winter’s nap. Warmed by the body heat of the 500 to 1,000 other people in this enormous class, you can drift off into the sweet dreamland that Sigmund Freud, William James, Carl Jung and many other famous people that you won’t be learning about devoted their careers to studying.

Editors’ Pick: History of Jazz

Classroom: Chevron classrooms

Sure, from the outside it might resemble nothing so much as a great big pack of cigarettes, but the Chevron Science Center is beloved by Pitt News voters for one very good reason: It isn’t the Cathedral of Learning. Unlike the Cathedral, which looks swell from afar but boasts an unevenly-heated (or cooled) interior filled with cramped classrooms cluttered with tiny, uncomfortable desks, Chevron Science Center gives you plenty of space to stretch your feet, pull out your laptop or smartphone and browse the World Wide Web while your instructor drones on about some stupid assignment that was on the syllabus you misplaced weeks ago. Hey, while you’re thinking about it, maybe you should shoot him an email asking for another copy.

Editors’ Pick: Austrian Nationality Room

Student Organization: Pitt Program Council

As if we needed more proof that students enjoyed the Ke$ha concert. This year’s PPC calendar boasts a variety of similarly wholesome activities, including trips to the PPG ice-skating rink, a New York City visit and several movie screenings. Stay tuned for news about this year’s Bigelow Bash and, most likely, the annual hip-hop concert.

Editors’ pick: The Rainbow Alliance

Pitt NCAA team: Basketball

Despite the men falling short of the Final Four last year, Pitt basketball players remain our athletic pride and joy. With any luck, this year’s men’s roster — which includes Ashton Gibbs, Nasir Robinson, Travon Woodall, Nick Rivers and Dante Taylor — will prove that the phrase “high-octane” applies to at least one of our sports teams. The team’s two wins have heightened that anticipation.

Editors’ pick: Wrestling

Hangout: Schenley Plaza

Although considerably smaller than the park of the same name, Schenley Plaza boasts two unbeatable attractions: eateries (including the recently-opened Porch at Schenley) and a merry-go-round. It’s no wonder, then, that the Plaza has proven irresistible to families, sunbathers and varyingly motivated college students. Head here to unwind, to read, to banter — but whatever you do, keep an eye out for wayward Frisbees.

Editors’ pick: Soldiers & Sailors lawn

Pitt club sports team: Lacrosse

Lacrosse might not be the most popular sport in the country, but the people who play it are some of the most popular on campus. But why would we pick this as our favorite? Maybe we enjoy the end of “Mean Girls,” when we get to see how Regina George’s aggressive stick-checking can serve as an outlet for daily frustrations. Or maybe it’s because we all know at least one lax bro, and secretly wish we could pull off that special kind of style. But if you really look at it, there’s an even simpler explanation: It really is the fastest sport on two feet.

Editors’ Pick: Ultimate

Way to confuse freshmen: Intersection of Forbes/Fifth

These two streets have quite a flirtatious relationship — the two follow each other, playing a delicate game of cat and mouse that goes on for several miles. By the time they get to the Cathedral, however, they decide they’ve had enough and part ways for good. We might all know the end of this story, but when talking to a clueless freshman, it’s sometimes too tempting to point them to the place where they hook up.

Editors’ Pick: Claiming that Nordenberg lives in the Cathedral

Pitt tradition: “Sweet Caroline”

We all remember a few Pitt Football games we wish we’d skipped — the long drive, the cold weather and the not-so-high-octane performances often put a damper on things. But at the end of the third quarter, Pitt students put all these negatives aside and sing together. For a few brief moments, we all become one. By the time the fourth quarter starts and the exodus begins, the song might be over, but the unity remains.

Editors’ Pick: Oakland Zoo

Fraternity: Kappa Sigma

Winning Greek Sing this spring gave a big boost to Kappa Sigma’s already stellar campus reputation. Founded in 1869, Jimmy Buffett, Bob Dole and Edwin Hubble are just three of the fraternity’s many notable alumni.

Sorority: Chi Omega

In 1895, an organization formed to foster women’s leadership, scholarship and lifelong friendship — Chi Omega. The sorority now has more than 260,000 members. With its adorable owl mascot and eye-catching red and yellow colors, it was voted best sorority for the third consecutive year. “We are very excited to have won the Best Of. It is truly an honor,” Chi Omega President Megan Cunningham said. The chapter again hosted the Make-A-Wish philanthropy event this year, and it’s set to host Swishes for Wishes, a basketball tournament, in the spring.

Free thing Pitt offers: T-shirts

If you tour our University, you collect a free T-shirt. If you’re lucky enough to correctly answer a trivia question at the end of the tour, you’ll receive another free tee, courtesy of The Pitt Stop. When it’s orientation time, more free shirts start flying your way. Students get one for completing a Pitt Start survey and another one when they move into their dorm and yet another when buying season football tickets. By offering all the awesome free tees, the University ensures that we will never go naked or lack Pitt pride.

Editors’ Pick: Movie screenings

Reason to skip class: Sleeping

All college students agree that if they could have more time to do one thing, it would be sleep. With piles of homework, exams to study for and a social life to maintain, sleep is the one thing we sacrifice for the sake of our sanity. However, a lack of sleep also causes us to lose our sanity after a while. Often the only way we can catch up is to skip classes to take naps.

Editors’ Pick: Hangover

Bus route: 54C

A punctual bus that travels from the North Side to the Strip District to Oakland to the South Side, the 54C showcases the highlights of Pittsburgh. It can take you to the National Aviary on a leisurely Saturday or to the original Primanti Bros. in the Strip. The high point of the route, however, is the South Side, which is packed with restaurants, shops and bars. And at the end of your trip, wherever you choose to go, it can always bring you back home to Oakland.

Editors’ Pick: 75

Pitt scandal: Tuition hike

The financial debate in Harrisburg and around the nation finally caught up to Pitt students when the University increased tuition 8.5 percent for the upcoming year. Because many students are already contending with loan debt and an unpredictable job market, the vast jump in tuition only adds more anxiety to the already-uncertain future. With similar increases across the state, students can only wonder if their education is worth the steeply climbing costs.

Editor’s Pick: The Michael Haywood firing

On-campus job: Jumpstart

Children are the bright orbs of the future. With their screaming, crying and unpredictable calls from nature, who wouldn’t want to spend all their free time with them? Luckily, Pitt can accommodate that wish. Students in Jumpstart work with preschool-aged children to ensure that they’re prepared for further education. Let’s face it: Many student-oriented jobs suck. Jumpstart, however, is an exception, and actually allows its participants to contribute to the greater good.

Editors’ Pick: The Pitt News

Reason to call Telefact: Bus schedule

Not many freshmen come to Pitt fully prepared for the public transportation system. It’s no wonder, then, that many of them — and even some older students — get lost jumping from bus to bus. Don’t worry. Telefact is there to answer your calls — and in this case, to help you get around town by pointing you in the right direction.

Editors’ Pick: Asking how many calories a shot of rum contains

Way to pay for tuition: Loans

After you schedule each semester, Pitt’s website asks you to agree to pay for your upcoming array of classes. Every time you click “Agree,” it’s just another reminder of the thousands of dollars that will leave your pocket. If scholarships or parents’ bank accounts aren’t there for you, there’s always your local bank, which will gladly offer you lump sums with high interest rates. It’s OK if you forget about the loan — it’ll return some months after graduation.

Editors’ Pick: Scientific studies — lots of them

Thing to do on a Friday night: Drink

Way to confirm the stereotype that college students enjoy partying! Excuses to engage in this activity include: you’ve just finished your third exam in three days, it’s your best friend’s birthday, your parents aren’t here, your parents are here, it’s Wednesday, you’ve been drinking the past five nights anyway and you don’t have class on Saturday. The only thing better than a Friday night at Pitt is watching the walk-of-shame victims on Saturday morning. So take a shot, bong a beer and celebrate the fact that it’s not called “alcoholism” if you’re in college.

Editors’ Pick: Read The Pitt News … and drink

University department: Student Volunteer Outreach (SVO)

Volunteering is a great way to spend your free time in college. Whether you’re a prosocial do-gooder or just trying to build your resume, the SVO can help you find a place to donate your time. From participating in alternative trips that help the less fortunate during Spring Break to helping young children learn to read, this department advertises all sorts of ways to get involved in the surrounding community.

Editors’ Pick: Career Development Office