For many freshmen, the first few days of college are a chance to meet new people, get to know campus -- and sleep late.
But not for current residents of the Quadrangle.
While summer construction on the historic residence trickles into the fall, some freshmen have found their beauty rest cut short.
"I don't really pay attention to [the construction] except in the mornings when they start hammering and it wakes me up," Engineering freshman Anuscha Ahmed said, adding that the work begins as early as 8 a.m.
"There's some stuff outside my window... it's just kind of loud," College freshman Benjamin Packer said.
The summer construction, part of a four-year plan to renovate the Quad, focused on both internal renovations and landscaping.
Approximately a third of the Quad -- including parts of Ware, Spruce and Community college houses -- was under construction this summer.
Common areas were improved, adding new computer labs, renovated lounges and relocated house offices and mailrooms, all in an attempt to bolster the sense of community among the college houses within the Quad.
When Quad construction is completed next summer, the residence's four college houses will be consolidated into three, each with its own courtyard, own color scheme and its own feel.
Additionally, landscaping work and the addition of new pathways will give the area a greener, more campus-like feel.
"When you walk the length of the Quad, you will have something that feels like Locust Walk," Director of College Houses and Academic Services David Brownlee said.
Construction did have an impact on early move-in, forcing some students to live in temporary housing while finishing touches were put on their permanent rooms.
"A handful of students, were, in fact, in the early days, living elsewhere," Brownlee said, adding that students were put up in W.E.B. Dubois College House and the Sheraton University City.
Residential advisors living in lower Quad who arrived on campus before the official move-in date brought their belongings to their rooms through the Quad's basement and then were relocated to the Sheraton until Aug. 24.
But by regular move-in on Aug. 30, all students were able to move directly into their permanent homes.
And according to Director of Housing and Conference Services Doug Berger, move-in this year appeared to be more successful than years past.
"It seemed smoother than last year," he said.
The majority of students also said that move-in took place without a hitch.
"I didn't have any problem with move-in whatsoever," Wharton junior Geraldine Perez said. "I have heard stories about people who had to move-in through the basement and big huge messes like that, but personally I was fine."
While some may gripe about the inconveniences, Brownlee says the rewards will be well worth it.
"People are knocked out flat by the wonderful new landscaping," Brownlee said.
"It's completely transformed that barren, easily forgotten space into a beautiful [area]," he added.
Currently, the central area of lower Quad is undergoing work, including a new irrigation system, new paving and the planting of grass, trees and bushes. The work should be done "before winter sets," Brownlee said.
"It's a slow process, but this summer we showed some really tangible results," he added
And all the work has prompted some rumors to float around about the area.
"I heard there's going to be a fountain in the middle of the green [in lower Quad] when they're done landscaping," Wharton freshman Rebecca Sykes said.
But Brownlee put the rumor to rest, stating that the area will be kept open to facilitate popular frisbee games and other sporting activities.
Students maintain the new Quad amenities are worth the wait.
"It's not that big of a deal to me because I know it will be nicer in the long run," College freshman Elizabeth Pabst said.
