Everyone’s getting ready for winter here at Binghamton University. No matter how much I love my school, I will never run out of complaints. Here are five things that tend to get annoying about going to school up here, some with a bit of a winter-themed twist!
1. Getting a booth at the Marketplace.
You see it. It looks like a glistening city on top of a hill. It’s a beautiful scene, and you think that in your winter-induced coma, you might be hallucinating. An empty booth exists in the marketplace? You run towards it, only to notice that at least five other people are also on the move. You all arrive at the booth, and you notice that instead of it being empty, someone decided to fall asleep underneath the table. Instead of dragging them out by the feet like your original instinct tells you, you decide to not deal with University Police that day, and find a different place to work.
2. When people forget that they’re driving on a campus
I can’t tell you the amounts of times I’ve nearly been hit by someone who doesn’t realize that I’m more important than they are. I will be crossing the street, thank you so much. Most drivers in Binghamton realize this fact, but unfortunately, there are always a few who don’t. I continue to walk across the street, and they slam on the breaks. And their faces seem astonished that I just crossed without caring about them.
In reality, I grew up in New York City. I always look both ways before crossing a street, and I realize how crazy drivers can be. Binghamton has a different breed of drivers, though. Some are really kind and let you cross, and some are surprised that you’re crossing the street, period. No matter what kind of driver you are, expect me to look you straight in the eyes, and stare…until I’ve made it across the street.
3. When the cold wind goes right through you, and you find that little pieces of your cheeks are breaking off like glass
Remember that Jimmy Neutron episode where it gets so cold, his mother’s hair chips off? That’s exactly what I feel happens to my face on any given day between the months of October and May. I get to class, and I feel like half of my body is missing because of either frostbite, or some kind of natural freeze-drying process that only happens in Binghamton, NY.
Also, don’t you love how Binghamton is redesigning its campus to have so many more places for outdoor chilling and recreation? The months of September and June are such special times in Bing, aren’t they?
4. When you realize that you have to either climb a hill or descend one in order to reach your destination…in the cold
Oh, the gym is only a short walk away…down a threatening hill of ice, slush, and despair. We’ll get to our class in no time! No matter what buildings you cut through, the wind still finds its way to your face, the incline still finds a way to kill your quads, and the ice still finds a way to land you on your behind.
5. When bus drivers don’t slow down before a road bump
Binghamton bus drivers are probably some of the best-trained in the field. Their expertise continues to shock me. Turning corners with precision, stopping before all red lights, and avoiding curbs. I don’t know how they do it! Has anyone sensed the sarcasm in my voice yet?
One of the worst feelings is when the bus drivers think they don’t have to change velocity while approaching a speed bump. It gets me all the time! I’m usually having a lovely conversation with a friend, when suddenly, my head hits the roof of the bus. Ah, Binghamton, how I love you and your transportation.
If you think this is all I have in terms of complaints for my beloved university, wait till the snow actually begins to fall...and wait until the wind begins to howl. The tranquility of a beautiful snowy valley and the quietness of winter doesn't exist north of New York City. Unfortunately, Binghamton winters make for a Siberian shiver.
