Never have I once regretted my decision to attend SUNY Plattsburgh for my undergraduate career. It's the perfect distance away from home—not too far, but not a quick and painless trip either. The communications department is one of the best in the state, not to mention that it has given me the most amazing mentors and teachers along the way. Lastly, I have met the girls who will stand beside me when I make the crazy insane decision to get married. Plattsburgh has filled the parts in my life I had no idea were void, and I certainly cannot imagine where I would be today had I not committed here. Even though I would never regret my decision, there are struggles that only SUNY Plattsburgh students face and understand that we all encounter on a way too frequent basis.
1. "Plattsburgh, huh? That's a huge party school."
I worked at a diner at home and while working one day an older man saw me wearing a Plattsburgh State shirt. He then began telling me about the keggers he and his friends used to throw in their dorm rooms and how there used to be a bar right on campus (where the SunDowner is now). Since the drinking age has been raised, the party scene here has changed from bars to house parties, but I find it difficult to believe it's even remotely close to what it used to be like back in the '80s and '90s.
2. There is no fall season.
There are two seasons here in Plattsburgh: Winter, which lasts about three quarters of the year, and then summer. Mother Nature is a cruel and nasty woman.
3. If there is fall, it's unpredictable.
Occasionally we do have some nice fall days up here. The air feels crisp, the apple farms are welcoming and the trees look beautiful. But I'm not exaggerating when I say it'll go from 55 and sunny one day to 30 with snow, sleet, and hail the next.
4. Yokum is a maze.
I'm convinced that the architects that designed Yokum were sitting around the blueprints going shot for shot with a bottle of tequila. Since it is the communications building and I am a student in the department, I finally have the setup down (it only took me two years). But really, if you are a freshman or thinking about coming here to visit, ask for a map. It'll be your best friend.
5. Being put on the map because of the prisoner escape.
Contrary to popular belief, Plattsburgh has always been a city way up here in the North Country. For the rest of the world, until June 6, 2015, we were nonexistent. Thanks to David Sweat and Richard Matt, they welcomed the entire country to the beautiful place so many of us call home. I promise we've always been here, but thanks for finally noticing!
6. Yes, One Direction did film a music video on campus.
I'll admit that having One Direction film their "Gotta Be You" music video on the steps of CV Hall is really cool. But I promise all of you prospective SUNY Plattsburgh 17-year-old girls, there is a lot more to our campus than that occurrence.
7. Squirrels are usually afraid of people, right?
Wrong. Normally when people walk towards squirrels, they have a conniption and run in the opposite direction. I'm not entirely sure what the deal is with the squirrels up here, but they have no fear. You could be sitting on a bench outside reading a book, have a squirrel walk up to you, and probably become best friends with it.
8. The cat population exceeds the student population.
Okay, maybe I got a little out of hand here, but not really. I got home from grocery shopping today and witnessed a cat jump up on our garbage cans outside and just sit there, chillin' on top of the garbage can. With the amount of homeless cats we have living on the streets of Plattsburgh, I'm convinced cat gang wars are taking place while everyone is asleep.
