Hey y'all it's me Michael. Ever since I came to Northern Arizona University I have noticed that it's all about the things that they didn't tell me. I remember my father would remind me every night until it was engraved in mind the stories of his experience in college. How evil the professors are that give no help and expect you to memorize everything. How everyone was a child prodigy that would make the geniuses seem normal. How every class would be brutally devastating. Well ok, that last one is kind of true but the rest are false entirely.
First stepping onto campus seemed like a whole new world to me. There were buildings towering everywhere and everyone was pushing big blue bins full of luggage. I moved into my current residence of Tinsley Hall where I met my two roommates, Erik and Dane. Erik is a musical prodigy but is extremely demotivated when it comes to getting up for class. Dane is a natural born scientist helping me every night to understand the infinite Calculus equations while he works on Chemistry. As for me well they call me the computer guy because of my experience with computers and I am learning to program. After that I began to meet new people at every turn. Everyone just seemed so friendly at happy to see a new face walking around. I took it a step further though. After getting unpacked I strolled up and down my dorm wearing my hawaiian shirt, cargo pants, and an umbrella to use as a cane. Thought it was a great way to meet the neighbors and boy was it.
Using meal transfers from our meal plans we decided to find the best places to eat. Which in itself is much bigger challenge than one would think. The food was to die for at every restaurant. Unfortunately it didn't last too long as we found out from our Residence Hall Assistant or RA for short. He explained to us that after two weeks and the parents have all gone and left the food quality stinks. Unfortunately he was more than right but not on all accounts. There still are those places that are to die for but they became way more popular.
As for the professors and teacher assistants well there simply saying that they rock just isn't enough. I am enrolled in five classes this semester and not one teacher disappoints. My Calculus teacher Stephen runs and jumps from one blackboard to another every time a student asks him to give an example. My Computer Science teacher finds very clever ways to mix in programming jokes in the lectures that at times has had the class falling out of their seats. Even my Psychology teacher uses volunteers from the class to demonstrate how certain concepts work. They are extremely eager to help a student when he/she is struggling with a concept and always remind the class when work due is coming up and any details involved.
Lastly college has taught me that the world is a small place. Within my first month I have met just about everyone else attending NAU from Holbrook! Although I do not remember their last names I remember when and where I met each person the first time. I met Bethany and Eryn while I was walking to the bookstore with my roommate Dane. We were strolling under the rain when suddenly I hear my name being called from across a small field and turn to see them both running at me screaming. I met Jordan at a restaurant called the Hot Spot. I was sitting alone at a table eating lunch before my next class and he sat down next to me saying that my hair gave it away. I met Gage when Jordan brought him over to my dorm to visit. Jordan told me he was bringing somebody from Holbrook but I had no idea it would be Gage. I met Drew outside of Calculus as I was chaining up my bike. I was fiddling with my lock and happened to look up to see him riding up to me. Each of these people gave me an absolute shock when I met them because to think of meeting this handful of people at a university with a population bigger than Holbrook.
Coming to college has shown me that what makes it is the things that they never told me. It's made up of people just as clueless as you coming here to learn. Teachers that are here to keep and hold your attention long enough to get a concept across. Friends from a town that seems worlds away. Most of all though what truly makes the college experience is the people that you meet. People from nearly every country in the world coming together. So the next time you hear one of the infinite stories about college from the old and wise. Try to take it with a grain of salt because that was back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth and instead look forward to the day that you can experience it yourself. I hope Mrs. Caffey reads this because I sat down to write this thinking of her and what she taught me.
