A couple of years ago, if someone from the future would've told me that I would eventually end up going to college at Virginia Commonwealth University, I would’ve been surprised, to say the least. See, where I’m from, VCU, or Richmond in general, is looked at as sketchy, dirty, and somewhere you don’t want to be. The school itself can be considered a “backup school,” and is rarely thought of as anyone's first choice. It's not often not taken too seriously. I have to admit, I found myself caught under this spell for awhile. I listened to the judgments and opinions of others, and never thought to experience the school for myself. It wasn’t until I visited in late November that I realized VCU is more than what people think. People may have their opinions, which is fine, but my school is much more than they’ll ever know.
Unlike other colleges and universities, we aren’t in a bubble. VCU is very much a part of the real world. We are in the middle of a fast-growing city, and we're exposed to real-life situations every day. We know how to be safe, smart, and considerate to others. We know how to deal and interact with people who are very different than us, and we have learned to accept the unique traits in one another. We are one of the most diverse schools in the country, and we embrace the differences are among us. All of these qualities not only add to our college experience in a positive way, but they also set us up for the realistic world in which we will eventually find ourselves.
VCU never gets boring since it's located in the heart of Richmond. There's always something to do, whether it's exploring the sights of the James River, going downtown to admire the city's lit-up views, or even taking a trip to many unique diners and restaurants. Thrifting isn’t an uncommon activity here either, and on your way to a store you can even catch yourself admiring the artistic murals and street art on every corner. These places are hidden in the nooks of Richmond, and it just takes a little exploring and adventure to find them, which just adds to the fun. These places are unique to Richmond and VCU, and are loved by all students.
VCU students also have the opportunity to attend one of the best schools in the state of Virginia. Virginia Commonwealth University is home to some of the best programs, including the School of the Arts, the School of Allied Health Professions, the School of Social Work, the School of Pharmacy, the School of Nursing, and many more. This just goes to show that, among many other reasons, VCU deserves a much better rap than it sometimes gets.
My time at VCU has truly made me realize that everything is not what it seems. Yes, we are in a city and in a different world than other colleges, but our school doesn’t deserve all the hate that it gets. I doubt that I would be happier anywhere else. VCU is definitely different, but a kind of different that I wouldn’t want my life to be without.
