This was the question that one of my friends posed earlier this week, during a girls’ night at our Gateway. I was somewhat surprised that nearly three of my friends answered “no.”
The reason for their answer of “no” is not because they necessarily hate Bucknell, but because they chose Bucknell at an age when, like many other graduating high school seniors (including myself), they weren’t entirely certain of what path they should pursue. I should have probably noted that I and all of my friends are members of Bucknell’s track team, and while our commitment to a Division I sports team at such a young age (before we realized some of our other passions and interests) certainly plays a role in our feelings toward Bucknell, it is definitely not the only reason for our “no’s.”
While many at this school find the heavy drinking, hookup, and Greek culture to be fun and liberating, those who don’t like those kinds of activities may feel lonely and isolated. I often find myself wishing that there was a bit more genuineness present on this campus—does someone, anyone want to have a meaningful conversation instead of having their weekend goals be to hook up with as many people as possible and not remember anything?
That is not to say that I haven’t formed genuine relationships on this campus—I have, and my friendships here are one of the primary reasons that I can never answer with a defined “no” to the aforementioned question. And both I and my friends can admit that even our experience on a Division I athletics team, while at times very demanding, has provided us with a close-knit community of hardworking, dedicated individuals and friends that we are forever grateful for.
From an academic standpoint, I have had a wonderful experience at Bucknell. Coming from a public high school that lacked adequate funding, it has been invigorating to attend a university with a plethora of resources and devoted professors—this was something I never experienced in high school, and thus I greatly appreciate my academic experience at the university.
So if I could do it all over again, would I still choose Bucknell? This is a difficult question for me to answer because I believe that every experience you have has some sort of meaning. In other words, my time at Bucknell, despite the ups and downs, has shaped me into the person I am today, and I don’t want to change that person.
It’s extremely easy to imagine another college as being infinitely better than the one you're currently attending, but the truth is, you don't really know if some place is better until you go there, and no college is perfect. No matter where you end up attending college, there are going to be things you don't like about the place, but there will also be things that you love.
Even though I chose Bucknell at a young age when I wasn't completely sure what I wanted to do with my life (honestly, how does any high school student really know what he or she wants to do with the rest of his or her life?), I have grown so much from simply attending college and being away from my home. I've learned more about myself, in that I now have a much clearer vision of what my true passions are (not what my high school coach tried to tell me my passion was) and I have a stronger voice in communicating those passions; I've learned to be better with my money and can now independently handle my own finances without much help from my parents; After four years of dealing with the odd, emotionless relationships on this campus, I'm finally beginning to form my own idea of what constitutes a "good" meaningful relationship; and I've formed wonderful, lasting friendships.
So while you may become frustrated with certain aspects of your college experience, they will help you learn what you do and don't want (i.e. yes to small teacher-to-student ratios, no to guys who refuse to contact you during daylight hours). What I'm trying to say is that your college experience--both the good parts and the bad parts--have meaning because they will play a role in shaping you into the person and adult you will become.
