As a senior in high school, picking what college you're going to is undoubtedly one of the biggest and scariest decisions of your life so far. Some of us dream of going to the ginormous power house universities, like University of Alabama or University of Virginia. Others dream of going to the most prestigious universities, like Harvard and Yale. Then there are others that want to stay local and go to community college or the closest university. Our guidance counselors outline the types of schools we should apply to: the reach school, the dream school, the safety school, the low-priced school. Some kids fear of going to their "safety school" because they believe they are settling or they won't get the full college experience they dreamed of. I myself was terrified of this notion, but I'm here to vouch for all you seniors quickly approaching decision day that this is not the case. I'm also here to brag about how amazing my university is and how my "safety school" became my dream school.
St. Bonaventure University is located in the middle of nowhere Western New York, wedged in between Olean and Allegany. It's a place where Walmart becomes your favorite anything -- literally anything -- store, and the words Mangia's and the Burton become a part of your weekend vocabulary. It's the place where students rave over SBU Bowls and chicken patties at the Hickey. Yes, I said the Hickey. Yes, that's our dining hall. Yes, that's its real name. It's the place where we name our houses and trudge off campus bundled in our shin-length jackets on the weekend, because the weather never stops the party. But most importantly, it's the place I call home. Literally, Siri recognizes Bona's as my home, and in today's tech-savvy world, if that's not proof, I don't know what is.
We're a tight-knit campus, where chances are you know the majority of your class. You can walk from the one end of campus to the other in probably ten minutes maximum, townhouses included. The omelet line is a war zone between the hours of 7:30 A.M. and 8:15 A.M. when all the athletes get out of practice; it's not unusual to see people physically running to be at the front of the line.
You never have to worry going to study hall or the library alone. There will always be someone there to stop you from bashing your head off the table too many times from the struggle of writing endless Clare course essays. It's the place where you will always see someone you know walking to class. It is one of the simplest, yet best feelings having several people shoot you a smile and a "good morning" walking to class when you had little to no motivation getting out of bed that morning.
It's the place that there are so many randomly fun things to do; even though we're in the middle of nowhere. From rock climbing when in desperate need of a study break to doing yoga at 11 P.M. with friends just because to climbing statues at 3 in the morning to walking on the gorgeous Allegheny river trail.
Most importantly, it's the place where you meet friends that redefine the term "friendship." You, high school seniors, don't understand how awesome it is walking 30 feet down hall to your best friends whenever you want. You'll laugh harder than you ever have with these people. You'll experience heartbreak, and when you do, they'll also be there for you when you cry harder than you ever have before. Nothing beats dancing like a fool in the basement of an off-campus house with your best friends or singing at the top of your lungs getting ready for a G.N.O. They're not kidding when people say you meet the people you'll be friends with for the rest of your life in college. These are the girls that will be the bridesmaids at my wedding and the godparents to my children some day. My love for them is right up there with my family, because that's what they are to me, family.
So screw the people who say you "settled" by going to your safety school, I wouldn't change a single thing. Go Bona's!
