April 11, 2016
College Writing 112
A College Campus
For many people, pursuing their education is the paramount reason for attending any university. Many students hope to further their opportunities later in life while learning valuable lessons through the classroom. However, academic learning, as well as experiential learning, can also occur outside of the classroom environment. Developing a sense of independence as well as an understanding of the world around us are just examples of the lessons that we commonly encounter during our time studying at university.
In my case, freshman year at UMass Amherst has been as much of a learning experience as I could have expected. Growing up in a small rural environment seemed to give me an individualistic perspective of the world. I arrived at UMass prepared to encounter a new environment, one in which privacy and solitude may not be as easy to come by. The people I’ve met during my time here brought with them a variety of experiences along with unique backgrounds. The appreciation I have for the diverse community environment as well as the freedom and opportunity within the campus are amongst the most distinct effects of attending this university. My experiences, as well as those for many other students, have led to a greater appreciation for others and the world around us.
Looking back, my freshman year of college was undoubtedly an impactful and meaningful experience. I can recall the excitement of summer, as I was looking forward to beginning a new chapter in my life. At the same time, there was surely a sense of anxiousness reminding me that I would be leaving my friends and family at home. Initially I thought adjusting to living on campus was going to be a difficult, although exciting, challenge of mine. Being expected to alter my definition of home, as well as those living around me, was surely unnerving. However, the lessons I’ve encountered both inside and outside the classroom are as valuable as they are influential.
Orchard Hill was selected as my residential area for freshman year. Initially a bit of a sour surprise, as I had preferred to live in other areas, this small cluster of dormitories has become an ideal home for me. Some characteristics of Orchard Hill that I’ve grown to appreciate seem exclusive to the area. For instance, Orchard Hill houses the fewest students of any residential area on campus. This helps to create a greater sense of community and a more likely chance of seeing a familiar face around the area. In addition, Orchard Hill frequently has community events hosted which draw in quite a few students. The nearby hiking paths, open fields, and dining opportunities provide even more opportunity to appreciate the Orchard Hill community.
My freshman year introduced me to the unique experience of living within a college dormitory.
As much as I enjoyed my residential area, I don’t think I could have appreciated the extant of it if not for the dormitory which I lived in. Webster Hall, one of the four dorms of Orchard Hill, is where many of my friendships at UMass originated from. Being a freshman dormitory, most residents began the year in a similar mindset as myself. I suppose this helped to create a freshman-friendly environment in which many people went out of their way to introduce themselves and establish friendships. This neighborly mindset, along with the “open-door policy” that much of Webster employs has helped to familiarize the residents and led to several friendships. Although I did not intend to live in Webster Hall, or Orchard Hill for that matter, I’m glad I was able to experience this environment and enjoy the transition into freshman year.
It seems increasingly common to think of college campuses as though they are isolated islands. In the eyes of some people, college campuses are intended for academic means and therefore have little need for interaction with the greater world around them. I’ve realized during my time at UMass that this way of thinking is far from the truth. Rather, it seems that college campuses are thoroughly connected with the ongoing affairs of society. UMass Amherst and other institutions of higher learning manage to reflect the values and cultures of people throughout the world. Whether it be the student body or the staff, there is a growing multicultural representation within the campus accompanied by an array of thoughts and beliefs.
As a result of my experiences this year, I suppose I’ve become more acquainted with people of various thoughts and beliefs. Having spent time and developed friendships with people of different backgrounds, I’ve noticed the foolishness of judging or alienating people who I’ve never met and only base my opinions on false pretenses. Before arriving at UMass I had attended a public school in a rural town. The students who grew up alongside were my friends and neighbors. We were all mostly of similar social and economic backgrounds and had shared the same basic life experiences. Conversely, my time at UMass has allowed me to befriend people who I would have never had the chance to meet.
The college campus is unique in its ability to stray away from the standard conventions of society. As a student, it seemed important for me to take advantage of the opportunities offered on campus through events and programs. The opportunities I was given allowed me to see the world outside of a rural town. For any student, being a part of a vibrant community within a concentrated area can alter their perspective towards society as a whole. To some, moving from a small town to a busy campus can bring about an unsettling view towards their place within the world. Our opinion towards our place within society will likely be influenced by our experiences within college, hopefully in gratifying manner rather than unpleasant. UMass Amherst has furthered my understanding of others as well as the basic functionalities of a community.
A diverse community within a college campus allows for more ideas to be brought to the table. When a variety of perspectives are combined it often encourages innovation and creativity to emerge. Our experiences within college are unique due to the way in which they hone our academic capabilities as well as our visionary thinking. Daily interactions throughout the college campus manage to spur instances of experiential learning. Students are able to learn and retain more when they apply lessons from the classroom with their experiences in real life. The college campus provides students with the ability to volunteer in the community, work alongside scholars for research, study abroad and other awarding opportunities.
I suppose my first year at UMass has taught me that a diverse community matters on college campuses, and not just for the benefit of the institutions. The ambitions and beliefs of a determined student body helps to elevate the awareness of the campus as a whole. The accomplishments, endeavors, and work ethic of the surrounding community manage to bring about a sense of purpose and motivation within the campus. Colleges and universities are capable of them all a boost by fostering multiculturalism and diversity on campuses.
My freshman year may be coming to an end, but I’d like to think I still have much to experience in the years to come. I’ve tra