is richmond boring
I’d also be interested in hearing some comments from students about the social life. Where do students hang out? Typical weekend?
Richmond is far from boring!
Where students hang out/their typical weekend varies a lot depending on their interests. Some students attend frat parties on the weekend, others hang out with their friends or attend substance-free events, such as the ones sponsored by spidernights (game nights, carnivals, open mic nights, etc). A lot of students hang out in the student commons.
Personally, I don’t drink, so I’ve never gone to a frat party, and the same is true of most of my friends. Most of us in my friends circle are music/theater people, so we often hang out in Modlin (the arts complex). We’ll watch movies together, go to spidernights events, attend concerts/performances (primarily on campus), or just hang out and play games together.
Thank you @guineagirl96. When we visited campus we got the sense from our tour guide that students didn’t really take advantage of the social events that are organized by the school. We were also told that “no one” really uses the shuttles to get off campus. (I assumed maybe that’s because freshman are allowed to bring cars.) On our tour the lounge area in the commons was empty, even though it was the middle of the day. It left us wondering how “social” campus is on a daily basis. The academics however, seemed great. I’m glad to hear about your experience.
@newyorkmom2girl My DD just started there as a freshman. She’s a bit of the nerdy, studious type but has already made friends faster than in high school. She and some friends take the shuttle everywhere. They go to Target twice a week as she needed cold meds, dorm stuff. Also to Walgreens & shops/restaurants near there. She says how easy it is. There are also zip cars you can sign up for. There is a very fun, eclectic area called Careytown, we went there on visits a lot. It’s not far & the shuttle goes there too. Are you from NYC? My ex was born & bred & I lived there for years. Think of Caretown as a more hipster upper west side, but near the museum ( I lived a block from it) Anyway there is a fantastic art museum nearish there that is free, with a great outdoor space. Also the James River area and other places but not sure the shuttle goes there. At any rate, she says there are constant activities, lots to do. So that’s my 2 cents, lol.
How much is walkable from campus? My impression is a car (or shuttle) is necessary.
Pretty much nothing. There aren’t side walks that go off campus. We’re surrounded by forest on most sides. However, there are shops really close by, that are approximately a 5 min shuttle ride (the shuttle is free).
@cloudysmom , thank you for the info. We did go to Careytown when we visited and had a great meal. I’m glad to hear the shuttles are being used to get off campus!
@guineagirl96 and @cloudysmom Do you know if many kids go to the Spider Events on the weekends?
The spidernights events are usually well attended, particularly the open mic nights.
my son is a freshman and from the DC-MD Metro area…so he’s used to city life. so far HE LOVES UR and Richmond. He uses the shuttle to get off campus for his volunteer requirements. he says the shuttle is luxurious. my son has been and likes to attend the frat parties and he said frat guys are VERY NICE and welcoming to all (at least so far). and FYI my son would not fit the typical UR frat description (i.e. wealthy-preppy and Caucasian). My son LOVES the diversity at Richmond. on his dorm floor alone he has classmates who are Asian, US Northeasterners, Latino from all over, Mid Eastern, and Black (and or African American) from all over. Richmond is what you make of it. The opportunities and funding is limitless. So far my son joined Men’s Club Volleyball, a Civic Club and is thinking to join the Latino Dance club.