July has only just begun and already I am pining away for UNH. Somehow we all have to make it through more than 50 days of summer jobs and saving money. As a rising sophomore, this is my first taste of being away from my college family. Frankly, it sucks. During the school year the constant cycle of eat, sleep and study can begin to feel a little tedious. Dining hall food can start to taste the same after a while and professors seem to get intentionally less interesting as time passes. (There is no way that those classes are actually only 50 minutes.) It takes a long break to make someone really appreciate what they are missing. Because I am so nice, I am going to help everyone appreciate what we have to wait two whole months for by highlighting the top eight things I miss about UNH that make waiting so hard.
1. The people.
15,000 people who are all there for the same reason: to learn, get a degree and have the college experience. It is incredible to be surrounded by people who all realize how lucky they are to be where they are. I miss my UNH family.
2. The food.
HoCo. Philly. Stillings. Dairy Bar. Wild Kitty. Union Court. These and so many more are available. There is almost always something open and it is all delicious. Getting served amazing food whenever you want it is nothing short of miraculous. (There is also the added bonus of not having to do your own dishes.)
3. The campus.
UNH has one of the most beautiful campuses out there. Just getting to class you see adorable squirrels, flowers, trees, stretches of perfect green grass, and gorgeous brick buildings. It’s like living in a park.
4. The sports.
Going to a hockey game is the perfect way to start a weekend off. Getting in free doesn’t hurt either. Hanging out with friends, watching the action on the ice and yelling those fantastic (if slightly lewd) chants is truly an experience.
5. Wild Kitty.
Majestic, isn't it? Yes, I mentioned it before. But Wild Kitty deserves its own category.
6. Walking everywhere.
Although it can seem like a burden at times, it is always comforting at the end of a long day to know that you at least did something physical. Even if you didn’t get the chance to go for a run or go to the gym (or if you just aren’t someone who works out). Walking several miles every day is a fantastic way to stay in shape without even trying.
7. Access to a gym.
On the flip side, living right near a gym is great too. Living in the middle of nowhere during the summer gives me a great appreciation for being in walking distance of a gym. The ability to work out at a real facility and at your own time and pace is something you don’t truly appreciate until you have to live without it.
8. The Great Lawn.
There is no better feeling in the world than laying out on the Great Lawn, surrounded by your fellow students enjoying a sunny day. Whether you are throwing a frisbee, studying for an exam or just hanging out with friends, the feeling of relaxed comradery between classmates is almost palpable. Everyone is there for the same reason: to enjoy the day and to enjoy the fact that they go to the best school in the world.