Rose Hoonan (The Beacon)
By Rose Hoonan, Staff Commentary
I hated it here. A month into my first semester at UP, I was ready to pack up my bags and leave. I did not know what I was going to do, but I was planning to get the heck out of here, and fast.
I searched for vacant WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities of Organic Farms, where volunteers work and live on farms) locations in obscure towns in Eastern Europe. I researched how to join the Peace Corps. The thought of leaving society and living in a vacant bus in the middle of Alaska like Christopher McCandless from "Into the Wild" even crossed my mind.
But then I realized that I had philosophy homework to do and leaving UP that instant would break my never-turned-an-assignment-in-late streak. So, I stayed for the time being, broadcasting my discontent to the world while I was at it.
I hated the fees. Tasks that I once assumed to be permissible were all of a sudden forbidden. There were fines for climbing a tree, propping a door open and locking one's self out of their room, among others. What kind of a place punished its students for such harmless actions? Apparently UP does.
I hated the religious aspects. Suddenly I saw the views and traditions of the Holy Cross Catholic institution as ridiculous and outdated. What kind of place puts limitations on LGBTQ students' rights, and has same-sex dorms? Apparently UP does.
As the semester progressed, the issues I had with UP intensified. I did not even attempt to see things in a positive light or consider the superior educational experience I was afforded. I felt trapped at a time when I should have felt liberated. My impressions of what college was supposed to be did not line up with the reality in which I was held hostage.
A few weeks into second semester, my thoughts changed, and I realized how incredibly lucky I was to be attending UP.
Not long after school started again, I had an allergic reaction and had to go to the doctor. Out of the blue, my hall director offered to drive me there. A few weeks later, I received an email from a faculty member, making sure I had recovered.
Who cared about some random freshman girl and her minor, though embarrassingly Dalmatian-like, allergic reaction? Apparently these incredibly generous, selfless people at UP did.
On a daily basis, I have meetings with professors who are genuinely happy to help me succeed in my educational endeavors. I send emails or call UP staff and students and always receive a prompt, personal response. I am invariably greeted with a smile from members of the UP community no matter where I am on campus. These experiences made me appreciate UP.
In all of my collected impressions of what college was like, I had never heard of a community as friendly, personal and giving as I find UP to be. There are not many schools like it, and I am glad I finally realized how truly fortunate I am.
Yes, I do still think that some of the policies at UP are unnecessary and in need of change, but the genuine learning experience I am offered and the sincere people that fill this university far outweigh the negatives I once thought would ruin my college experience.
Attending UP may not be the college experience I anticipated, but that is OK. I hope others recognize the value of having such a personal, dedicated community around them, because I did and that is what has made all the difference.
Rose Hoonan is a freshman communication studies major and can be contacted at hoonan15@up.edu.
