When thinking about JMU only positive things come to mind -- I think about the sense of community amongst the students, the passion instilled in our professors, and the genuine happiness that seems to be contagious around campus. Upon recently returning for my sixth semester, I was excited to see familiar faces and delve further into my core classes. In my first class we were introduced to our initial assignment: a two minute speech that would help others get to know us better.

Admittedly, I assumed everyone might be tempted to succumb to the easy route -- simply stating their hometown or major and I was immediately checking my watch. But I was wrong; I was wrong in the best way.

It took this one assignment to open my eyes to the diverse, vibrant, and hilarious personalities of my fellow peers. Throughout these two minute speeches I found out that my classmates had future plans to build houses in Tanzania, had been substitute teachers over break, and were the acting presidents of organizations around campus. In a two minute speech I learned that one of my classmates wanted to become an EMT because his adoptive mother was currently battling leukemia and had even worked with a mede-vac team on a helicopter over break. I learned that one of my peers was an Independent Scholar which is a new major on campus that allows her to choose a course schedule that best fits her needs.

I also learned that my classmates were hysterical. Instead of revealing something about himself, one of my peers decided to showcase his storytelling skills by narrating an old fable. His acting made the story come to life and had the rest of the class cracking up. One of my peers described her parents' reaction when she told them she wanted to pole dance as a form of exercise. She kept the class entertained as she elaborated saying she had no intention of becoming a stripper, even if the money might be worth it.

To put it simply, I couldn't have asked for a better first day of class or for a more entertaining assignment. Usually I think that the first few days of class are a waste of time, but I am happy to admit to how wrong I was. This first day back allowed me to see JMU in a different light; It had me falling in love with my school and my peers all over again.