Well, this past school year ended on a dramatic note for a lot of people; including me. Though it is a little late to touch on this topic, in my defense I have been very busy with work and what-not. Anyway, with no further a-do, here is a brief synopsis of what I will miss most about Michigan State University as well as brief descriptions as to why I miss those things.

1. The Open Atmosphere

Everyone knows this: MSU is freaking huge. It's practically its own little town. I mean, like, it has its own zip code so it pretty much is its own town. I'm going to miss getting lost at MSU and wandering the buildings of different colleges (most of which I probably would've never seen at all unless I willingly ventured out). I peeked around the College of Education, Engineering, Natural Science, etc.

I also went to Comm. Arts a lot just for the fact that it had this big classroom smack-dab in the middle of the building with window walls and you could literally just watch students create cartoons on their computer screens. I don't know, maybe I'm creepy or weird, but whatever. It was fascinating to see how different studies can vary among one another and how close in proximity they could be with each other as well (e.g. Engineering and James Madison).

There is literally always something to do every single day there. Be it Zumba on Wednesday nights at 7 pm, Craft night at the Union, or a play going on at the Aud. Even the RA's promoted fun social events like this, too and it was awesome to see how something so silly can have an impact on someone. Thank you, MSU for granting me that wide, open space to help me wiggle out of my comfort zone and explore who I was and who I wanted to be.

2. The Student Services Building

At some point in the second semester, things started to get really hard for me. I did research and learned that Student Services offers to counsel free of charge for visits. I gave it a go and met regularly with an assigned counselor. I told her about my recent struggle with coming out as gay and she informed me that on the floor above the counseling center, there is actually an LGBT Resource Center. We walked up together and entered the room. We met the advisor and officers ( two of which shown above) who made me feel very welcome in the space. Had I known this place even existed, I would probably have gone there at least once every single day...because that's what happened after my first attending. Even though it was the last three weeks of school, it made everything seem more bearable and organized. It was more than a safe space for me, but also another classroom in a way. I learned more about different gender identities and pronoun uses; it was rather mind-opening.

Student Services provided me with the resources to help me get out the various funks I would get into. Thank you, MSU for doing that.

3. NOT the Case Hall Ice Cream Machine

'Nuff said.

4. Friendships That Will Last

Photo taken by a Tour Guide at AOP (Orientation)

At MSU, I encountered something I never thought would happen in a million years: people who thought the same way I did. I still encountered people who thought differently, of course but get this: they were mature about it. I know, I was shocked too. I connected with people in ways I never have before. Granted, yes, we all basically lived together.

At times, we might as while have just changed our current address to: "So-and-so's futon". However, we all became so close with each other, we were practically family. We were there for each other when it was necessary (and not). When we were sick, we'd help each other (from a distance). When we went out to parties, we'd "mom" each other (disclaimer: I was always the mom, pretty much).

All-in-all, we took care of each other, we had mature discussions about politics, and made up bazaar foods in the Caf (#Frereal). MSU was a chance for me to re-invent myself. And I took advantage of that opportunity and chose my friends wisely. I'm glad I did so. I love you all so much. I miss you tons and hope to see you all again in the future some day.

Thank you MSU for giving me the opportunity to redefine myself in a positive environment.

5. The MSU Library

I've never seen so much knowledge in one area before. So much access and availability. And 24-hours at that! I've pulled an all-nighter or two at this place and I have to say, it was anything but boring. So many topics to read on; through so many different mediums at that! May it be through special collections, microfilm, newspapers, journals, official copies of government paperwork (from, like, 60 years ago, but still).

Thank you, MSU for giving me the biggest array of knowledge one can only dream of seeing. Also, a place to sleep when I didn't feel like walking all the way back to Case. You're the best, my dude.

6. UAB Campus Cinema

Because I got to see a ton of movies for free. Duh.

7. The Local High School

Photo taken by a fellow AVID Student

Though it wasn't the ideal job, it was quite an eye-opening experience. In high school, I was part of AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination). In general, it's an educational program that teaches students effective methods of studying and a high-level critical thinking/problem-solving process. We would be tested about once or twice a week through the process of tutorials; a kind of presentation derived from a question we would come up with from a point of confusion in our studies in other classes.

I was in this program all through high school and upon graduation, AVID Seniors were required to fill out an online AVID senior survey on the AVID website. About a month into my freshman year in college, I was sitting down and enjoying some cafeteria food (probably some grilled cheese or pizza with a Mt. Dew or something). My phone rang and I looked to see I had an e-mail from the local high school in East Lansing. Turns out, Michigan is just now starting to incorporate AVID into its curriculums in the public school system. Only a handful of schools were giving it a trial run, and East Lansing High School was one of the lucky few.

One of the AVID Coordinators at the High School e-mailed me saying that they had found my information on the vid website. One thing led to another, and I became an official AVID Tutor. Since I had been in AVID for 4 years straight, I pretty much knew what I was going up against. Granted they were typical teenagers, so in that sense, it was a little bit of a struggle. However, we tutors managed to survive.

Upon granted permission, I included a photo one of my students took with me (shown above). The kids were great and I wish I could tutor AVID forever. However, that won't be the case. It was nice to experience that "proud teacher" moment when the kids would finally understand something and things would just "click".

Thank you, MSU for giving me the opportunity to give back and make a difference, no matter how small, in other people's lives.

8. Odyssey

Being granted the opportunity to voice my thoughts in an open professional manner was by far the greatest chance I took hold of. No words can describe how grateful I am to have found to perfect medium to express my thoughts in a more positive, mature manner. Despite how petty we Odyssey writers can be to one another, I'm glad to have been part of a community that teaches people how to practice their first amendment in a professional, healthy way.

Thank You, MSU for giving me the opportunity to voice my thoughts in a healthy manner. A skill that was underdeveloped, now a skillfully discovered.

9. Comm. Arts Building

Had I stayed at MSU, Com-Arts would've been where I would spend a lot of my time studying for I would've changed my major to Journalism. The internal structure of the complex, I personally find to be pleasing. I've been to this area of campus for club meetings and interview sessions. Though I never had the opportunity to have a class in this building, the leisure time I spent here was more than satisfying in that the infrastructure reminded me that of a normal interior of a high school. It had an interesting level of familiarity to it. Not too much, but just right. Plus it had a Sparty's. Bonus!

Thank you, MSU for the opportunity to explore my desires and opportunities around campus and eventually enabling me to find my niche.

10. The Sidewalks

I don't think I will ever encounter another system of sidewalks as unique as MSU's. Every piece of the concrete strip is connected in some way; leading to a part of campus you've never been to before. A lot of the sidewalks were even forged by students years ago. Something about the sidewalks just made things seem more organized yet adventurous at the same time. It was like I was on an everyday safari trip. I sometimes made it a point to get lost on my runs around campus, just so I can find buildings I had never seen before.

Thank you, MSU for providing me safe passage around campus and enabling said passage to be the most adventurous.

11. The Red Cedar River

If there's another thing MSU has done first, it's invent the first ever time machine. Once you cross the river, at any point on campus, it's as if you've walked through time. Coble-stone sidewalks in some places, and brick-walled, internet-less buildings.

It's as if the bridge is the connection between the present and past, and the river is the representation of things ever-changing. When you stop in the middle of the bridge, it's like you've pressed pause. And the beauty that emerges from the river scene is so immense, it's as if time isn't affected by it and is practically nonexistent. Walk across the river and you will arrive at the Library and Museum. Use the knowledge you've acquired in the past to learn skills and apply them in present by returning back across the Red Cedar. (Taking Gothic Lit. kind of engineered me to seeing the world in a metaphorical way. Kind of weird, but also thought-pondering).

Thank you, MSU for the best time machine ever created.