West Virginia University (WVU) has been my home away from home for the past four years. I have made so many different memories here and I have grown into the woman I am today because of WVU. There are so many amazing things about WVU, like our undying school spirit, the beauty of the campus and the opportunities that WVU holds. But there are also some things that are not so great, just like every other college campus. With graduation coming up, many students are going to be sad to leave their home away from home and will miss being attending WVU. But graduates won't miss these twelve things.
1. Walking the LSB stairs
The LSB stairs are AWFUL, and there is nothing more than getting to the top and feeling like you are going to pass out. Though they are a good workout, they are literally like a stair stepper at the gym, but ten times worse. I will not miss walking up these steps to get to the main part of the downtown campus, and I will not miss feeling so out of shape.
2. Sweating no matter the season when heading to class because of the endless amounts of hills
West Virginia University is unique in the fact that the university is surrounded by endless hills. Walking up and down the hills to get the class will have you sweating the minute you leave your house, no matter if its freezing cold out or if it's 80-plus degrees. Combine the LSB stairs and the constant hills together and you have yourself the worst (and best) workout of your life.
3. The PRT *always* breaking down
The Personal Rapid Transportation (PRT) system is an awesome resource that West Virginia University has. Prospective students who are considering WVU, often think that the PRT is the coolest thing ever, but they don't know the struggle of waiting 15 or more minutes for the PRT just to find out it's broken down...again. I will never have to experience the unreliability of the PRT again.
4. Trying to drive downtown between classes
Driving downtown during class transitions is a trap. People are everywhere and with everyone trying to cross in front of the Mountainlair, a 10-minute drive now takes 20 or more minutes. It's absolute chaos, and you often find yourself getting very irritated with the amount of traffic there is.
5. There being no such thing as a snow day
In the past four years, WVU has only officially had about three or so snow days when they whole university was closed. Sure, some professors are kind enough to cancel classes when it's a blizzard, but others do not. Even when it may be dangerous to drive to class, there is still classes happening. Snow days are basically nonexistent, and I miss them terribly.
6. Star not letting you in until your classes are already full
Scheduling for classes is already hard enough, and with so many students trying to log onto Star to register for classes, you often get kicked off the system multiple times. It's almost like the scheduling hunger games - only the luckiest (and strongest) survive and get the classes they want. Star keeps you out until some of your classes that you desperately needed are full.
7. Fearing a flat tire every time you see a pothole
The Morgantown area is pothole central. I swear every time you swerve to avoid hitting a pothole, you hit another in the process. It's really a game to see how long you can survive without popping a tire or messing up your car. Drive at your own risk, as those potholes can be damaging.
8. Receiving multiple MIX emails at a time
Whenever a MiX email lands in your inbox, you always wait for the five others that are to follow. It's a domino effect, and you automatically hit delete whenever you see them. Finally, your inbox will be free of MIX emails!
9. WVU Encrypted..enough said.
10. The threat of being hit by a car every time you step into a crosswalk
With the constant traffic in front of the Mountainlair and all around Morgantown, the minute you step out into the crosswalk, you face the threat of being hit by a car. Some cars don't look like they are going to stop, but we still take the chance and walk
11. Walking back to your car and wondering if you got a ticket or not
Parking tickets are no joke, and getting a five to 20 dollar ticket just because you're five or so minutes late getting back to your car is brutal. The constant fear of getting a ticket or getting towed is always looming over you whenever you drive. If you've made it all four years without getting a ticket or getting towed, kudos to you. Goodbye Department of Transporation, I won't miss you.
12. Fighting to get a spot in the Mountainlair
Driving and attempting to park in the lair parking garage is a fight. Cars constantly are on the hunt for someone leaving to take their spot at all hours during the day, and you may or may not have intentionally stalked someone back to the car to get a spot. Whether you walk or drive, it's a struggle either way.
I have cherished my time at WVU and I am sad to leave it and all the memories I have made here, but I won't miss these twelve things. Country roads will always lead me home and saying goodbye next week is going to be hard. However, these twelve things I can kiss goobye easily.
