I've been going to Clemson for a while now, and over the course of my time here I've had some questions that I think need to be answered. Here are nine burning questions I have for Clemson University that just need to be addressed.

1. Is the whole parking situation ever going to get fixed, or are we just pretending?

I have two words for you: parking garage. It would take some time to build, but wouldn't the benefits of all commuters having a parking space outweigh the costs of building one? Just think, if we had a parking garage (or even just a new parking lot), less students would complain about how many parking tickets they get (see #4).

2. Is this really the last year people are going to be living in Johnstone?

This rumor has been going around for years. Since Chick-fil-A has now been moved, does this finally mean that the Union and Johnstone will be no more? Or, will freshman boys spend another year living in a dorm from the 1980s? Stay tuned for the answer to this one, guys.

3. Why did y'all decide to repaint Library Bridge once classes started back up?

Under no circumstances should it take me more than three minutes to walk across Library Bridge. With this construction, it takes me way longer to get to where I need to. No one was here over the summer, so the burning question on everyone's mind is: why didn't you paint it then? The jury is out on this one, but thank goodness the painting is almost finished.

4. Does Parking Services get incentives for how many tickets they give out or something?

I actually have nightmares about Parking Services. Students shouldn't be punished for parking somewhere they shouldn't be parked if there is nowhere else they can park. If we fix the parking issue, we can fix the Parking Services issue. A ticket every now and then is understandable, but when a student goes home with three parking tickets in a semester (yes, I know someone like this), that's not cool.

5. Why do athletes get so much stuff?

Athletes are important to a university, but so are academics. I'm sorry I didn't play a sport in high school, but that doesn't mean I'm any less valuable to the university. Athletes get discounted textbooks, early access to football tickets, and other privileges that are, in my opinion, unnecessary. Don't get me wrong, I can't do anything that most of these athletes can, I just don't think they should be held on as high a pedestal as they are.

6. Why do the dining options close so early?

The dining halls and restaurants here have some really funky hours. Who thought it was a good idea to close on-campus dining options at 8 P.M. on Fridays? Schilletter is closed on Saturdays, forcing students on that side of campus to walk across campus for all of their meals that day. Thank goodness for Cane's and Wendy's, or I probably would've starved my freshman year.

7. Why does the bookstore refuse to buy back textbooks that I spent hundreds of dollars on?

I spend an arm and a leg on required textbooks every year, and every year I'm told to bring my books back at the end of the semester for buy-back. So, why did I spend $500 on textbooks my first semester here and only get $5 back for them? This is a problem at a lot of universities, and it's actually my pet peeve.

8. Why do some buildings not have elevators?

Climbing to the third floor of Kinard at 7:50 A.M. is definitely not my favorite pastime.

Despite my complaining, I do have one final question for Clemson University:

9. Why are you so amazing?

Honestly, there's something in these hills. Clemson is a place you will never want to leave and will look forward to coming back to even after you've graduated. The energy here is infectious, football season can't be beat, and the academics truly are next level. Even though I complain a lot, I am beyond thankful for all of the opportunities Clemson has given me. You get on my nerves sometimes, Clemson, but I would never trade you for anything.