Co-authored by Lindsay Lee and Karl Pielmeier

It’s mid-July, which means it’s time to hit the beach! For most of us, it’s been a while since we’ve stepped foot on sandy shores, but it’s only been a couple of months since we’ve enjoyed the comfort of Healy Beach.

Unfortunately, this may mean that you’ve forgotten some basic beach etiquette, so here is a list of things you can do on Healy Beach but not a normal beach.

1. Get back home in five minutes if you forgot something – We’re not all blessed with oceanside houses, so that means you’re going to have to pack and double check that you have everything you’ll need for a day at the beach!

2. Alternate between the shade of a tree and the sun –  While on Healy Lawn, you can hide in the shade for a little if you’re getting too warm, but there aren’t any trees on the beach so be sure to pack a hat, extra sunscreen, and some shades.

3. Wear sneakers – Though this is acceptable on the lawn, you can’t wear sneakers on a real beach. That would make you a shoobie, and you just don’t want that.

4. Focus on studying – Just kidding, you can’t do that on Healy Beach either.

5. Get WiFi – Sadly, SaxaNet and GuestNet will not follow you to your vacation destination.

6. Walk to Wisey’s for some lunch – If you’re lucky, the snack shack on the beach won’t be too expensive or there will be some great greasy boardwalk food for you to eat. But nothing quite beats a Burger Madness and an Oreo cookie while you look up at the iconic Healy Tower.

7. See the massive hulking figure that is Lau – This is actually great. We’re not upset about that.

8. See tour groups of prospective students walk by – But you might see the cast of Jersey Shore.

9. Have planes fly overhead every 3 minutes – Reagan eternally supplies some ambient noise that you probably will not get on the sandy beaches of the Bahamas or in Ocean City.

10. Catch a squirrel – You don’t want to do this at Georgetown either, but you always have the option (since they’re so still). Beach squirrels are not quite as domesticated as campus squirrels.