Summer is starting to wind down, and us college students are starting to get giddier each day the end nears. While high school students are dreading the start of school, EIU students are looking forward to it. Sure, we'll be attending class in Lumpkin or Coleman Hall again, but we don't mind the homework when the fall is such a fun time for us. Attending Panther football games, getting fishbowls at Marty's Wednesday night through Saturday night, ordering an abundance of Chubby's or Jimmy Johns, and barely surviving syllabus week. It's safe to say that going back to Eastern after 3 months away from it is the most exciting time of the year for us Panthers. So, for all you high school students starting to think about where you're going to receive your degree post high school, let me tell you why you shouldn't come here. Here are the top 7 reasons you would probably hate being an EIU Panther.
1. The class sizes are annoyingly the perfect size
Yeah, you'll probably have a lecture or two with over 100 students in it, but 90% of your classes will be 20-30 students big. You probably won't know everyone in your class, but you'll always see a few familiar faces each semester. So if you don't want to have classes with your friends, or meet new people that you'll really like during your classes, Eastern definitely isn't for you.
2. The professors actually care about your education
Because of the smaller class sizes all of your professors will know you by name, and will know what your major is as well as what activities you're involved in. If you're struggling in class, your professor will be able to give you one-on-one help to make sure you never fall behind. If you were wanting to go to a college where you're just a name on a roster to every one of your professors, then stay far away from EIU.
3. You'll make friends that will last a lifetime
No matter what you do while you're a Panther you will make unforgettable, lifelong friends. Whether you meet your future wedding party on your sports team, in your sorority/fraternity, in your classes, or in your student organization, you will undoubtedly find them within your first year. The students at Eastern are so friendly and respectful, you will never feel out of place. If you were hoping to be a loner in college and spend all of your free time sitting on the couch alone watching Netflix, don't come to Eastern.
4. It's in a small town, but still has a big school vibe
Charleston, Illinois is a town very few people know, and even though it's quite small Eastern still has a big-college feel to it. With around 8,000 students enrolled its small enough that you'll see people you know every time you walk to class, yet big enough that you can easily avoid that one person you really don't want to see on your walk to class. So if you're in to noisy cities, rude civilians, and 30-minute long bus rides to class, just don't even apply here. The only noisiness at night is Marty's poppin' music, everyone will say 'hi' to you when you pass, and the longest walk to class is 10 minutes. Dreadful, isn't it?
5. Your weekends will be way too fun
Sure, Charleston is a small town, but there's still 4 main bars in it that students go to every weekend (and weekday, too). Whether you prefer the spaciousness of The Paw, the dance floor at Stu's, the drink specials at Ike's, or the fishbowls at Marty's, your weekends will be ones to barely remember. You will never be bored if you come to EIU, and your friends will make sure you never try to stay in on a Saturday night, too. So if you were hoping to waste your college years away bored every night in your bed, then once again, don't come to Eastern Illinois.
6. You will forever be a Panther
After the best 4 years of your life pass at EIU, and you have to start adulting you'll probably run in to a few people who were also a Panther back in the day. Even if you two graduated 20 years apart from each other, you'll probably be able to talk for hours about how great of a school Eastern is. I've talked to a 60-year-old who got his Bachelor's and Master's degree from Eastern Illinois, and he reminisced to me about the panther in front of Marty's, the first ever Jimmy John's, and the sporting events. Meeting someone else who graduated from EIU is always a fun conversation, and at the end of every one you'll find yourself saying, "Go Panthers!"
7. You'll never want to leave
If you don't want to have hard goodbyes, don't attend Eastern Illinois. Your precious four years will go by so much faster than you think, and before you know it you'll be sitting in Lantz Arena wearing a cap and gown. Many people don't know about Eastern Illinois University, which is what makes it so great. EIU is so underrated, and once you come you'll never want to leave.
