When picking a school you try to find one that is best going to fit you; but even then, every school has their strengths and weaknesses. After you are at a school for a period of time, you tend to realize what really bugs you. Being from a small school, it is pretty easy for us to pick out what we dislike.
1. The Train
Eventually you can get used to it. Let’s be honest, no one likes to be woken up at 3:30 in the morning to hear the sound of the train with the conductor sounding the horn multiple times in a row.
2. Explaining where Cal is at
You always have to explain when someone asks the question “where do you go to school”. Instead of just answering the question there is always a speech that goes along with it. You tell them you go to “California University of PA” and yes there is a place called California, Pennsylvania. No it is not in the state of California. Yes, you really do go there.
3. The Vulcan Flyer
In the winter, that 15-20 minute wait is brutal. On weekends, you are probably just better off walking to wherever you need to get to; you will most likely make it there faster. We have all seen three buses go the other way and then none come back, its like somehow they get lost.
4. Food
Besides the Pierogi soup on Wednesday, there really isn’t that much to look forward to. There aren't that many options on campus or off campus.
5. The Walk
It goes without saying; everyone knows the walk I’m referring too. Compared to most other schools, this walk is really nothing to every other college student. On Cal’s campus, this is the longest walk that everyone dreads.
6. Parking Passes
As a poor college student the $100 dollars it cost per semester to park in the River Lot of will always leave a hole in your wallet. Good luck trying to find a spot if you are coming to campus during mid-day, at that point you will probably have just as long of a walk if you parked in town.
7. There is nothing to do
For a college "town" there is not a whole lot of activities for a college student to do. You closet civilization is either Uniontown or Belle Vernon. Even then, these towns really aren't that big in the grand scheme of things. Our bar "crawl" consists of three bars or maybe four if you are feeling adventurous to make it over to Coal Center.
After it is all said and done, you have made this place your home away from home and you wouldn't want it any other way. No matter how much you complain about Cal you are always drawn back to the people that you have met there and the memories made along the way.
