Name: Heather Zanoni

Email: hnz2@pitt.edu

Hometown: Bethlehem, Pa

Interests: Pitt Basketball, Pitt Football, Photography, Art, Sudoku, Going to Concerts, Intramural Basketball

Major: Architectural Studies, Urban Studies

Year: Junior

Favorite Quote: "Any loves in your life?"
"Just the pursuit of happiness right now. That's love to me. But whatever or whoever gets in the way - I'll ask to dance usually." - Jason Mraz

Move-In: My first move-in day was hectic. There were so many kids coming from high school and leaving home for the first time and we all had no idea what we were doing or what we were in for. Everything was new and exciting. The great thing about it was that there were so many people there to help point you in the right direction or help you out. Pitt really has a system down. The best way to describe it is organized chaos.

Residence Hall Life: I've had awesome experiences in all the residence halls I've stayed in. Towers was the perfect Freshman living experience: so many kids to meet and everyone is in the same situation as you are. I even didn't mind moving back last summer, and am doing it again this summer. I'm still not sick of it! Brackenridge was the perfect next step up Sophomore year We had our own bathroom and a huge common room. It was a little bit more privacy and it was still in the quad, so we were always aware of what was happening on campus. This year I've been living in Bouquet Gardens. It's perfect. A little bit more removed, but still an excellent location.

Basketball Games: I thought it would be impossible to get basketball tickets as a freshman. The system they implemented my freshman year really helped make sure that the people who want to go to the games, will be able to go and at a reasonable price. Basketball games have been some of my favorite events at Pitt. My freshman year, I'll always remember how we beat Notre Dame in triple overtime. My sophomore year, I met Dick Vitale, was on ESPN College Game Day and ESPN News, and went to the second round of the NCAA tournament. This year, I've witnessed Pitt beat Duke at Madison Square Garden. The games are so much fun, even if you don't like basketball, you can't attend this university for four years without at least checking it out.

Oakland: Oakland is the perfect college town. Our neighborhood has so many different varieties of restaurants, and there's also museums and green space too. Its great for students who are nervous about living in a city for the first time, because it is an urban environment, but it is not as intimidating as a larger city would be. Also, one of the benefits of coming to Pitt is that we get free bus transportation: so the other neighborhoods are 5 to 10 minutes away. There's always something to do, and if you can't find what you like here, hop on the bus and head to South Side, Squirrel Hill, Shady Side, or Downtown. The location is really convenient.