college experience(s)

My college experience didn't turn out exactly how I had imagined it would. I guess I thought I would go to one school for four years, become active in resident hall activities and barely spend my weekends back home. I thought I would go in to youth ministry, whatever that might look like, and gain the knowledge and tools to study the Bible more effectively. For a while when I was young I knew I would go to Liberty University because some of the great women in my life went there. And then, I knew I would go to LaGrange College in Georgia because another really great woman went there and so that is where I'd go. And then I thought I needed to go somewhere in a big city- like U Penn or something like that to really get the true college experience.

Then, I met this guy in high school- we dated, and then broke up, because the stress of going into college as a high school couple became too intense. Then, we got back together and completely coincidentally decided to go to the same college (yea right, totally of our own volition).

We both chose Eastern University right outside of Philadelphia, Pa. It was pretty. Really pretty. And seemed college-y enough and yet quaint and small town enough to suit our needs.

I even tried a cheesesteak in the city because it seemed like the right thing to do. I didn't love it, and the cheesesteak-making men are kind of scary.

And then I looked at projected loan repayment and cried. I decided I didn't want to do youth ministry anymore (as a major anyway) because I wanted something that led me down a more definite and promising path (and then 4 years later graduated with a degree in conflict resolution, so there was obviously a disconnect there with a choosing a more "pointed" major...) Anyway, I just couldn't bear the thought of staying at Eastern and paying all that money.

I secretly also felt that the only thing that would save my relationship with my high-school-sweetheart was a little distance between us.

So I went home for Christmas break and never returned.

I enrolled in the local community college and immediately felt I had un-graduated. I went to school from 8 to 3 then went home and had classes with what seemed like half of my high school graduating class. I wasn't involved in any campus "activities" and my resident hall-mates were my aunt and uncle. I absolutely learned that community college is not a walk in the park but I did make the Dean's list more than once. I also paid like one-eighteenth in tuition costs compared to Eastern. But, I missed Eastern, so much.

Eventually I exhausted all that the community college had to offer and had to pick a new spot. I knew I could only afford so much. It was between two state schools and I based my decision solely on the advice of my high school friend. She said she liked it at Salisbury and her campus apartment might even possibly have a spot for me to move in. The other 6 roommates graciously accepted this idea and I loved the idea of going to school with Kaley. So, without ever having seen the campus, and thankful that my time at the community college made it so that I did not have to submit my SAT scores, I applied and was accepted to Salisbury University. But I still missed Eastern...

Salisbury is where I earned my degree. And I am glad. I am still thankful for the classes I took and the friends I made. I even kind of like that I ended up in the field of communications and conflict resolution.

I never would have made it through those classes without this girl...

I went to our campus crusade "chapels" at Salisbury more than I ever went to chapel at Eastern and cut my loans in more than half. Hallelujah! It really was a good experience. But I visited Eastern quite a bit- mostly because I missed Ben, but also because I just missed the place.

And sometimes I still miss Eastern. I don't know what it is. I was there for about four months but it is so nostalgic to me. I think Philadelphia is fun. I think Eastern's campus is just beautiful. I don't know, there is just something about that place. I don't often miss the industrial chicken town that is Salisbury, but that might have something to do with the horrors of thievery and breaking & entering that was our senior year... but that is a story for another day.

So, I will periodically ask Ben, "can we go to Philly this weekend?" and usually there is a reason why it doesn't make much sense. But, this past week, I proposed a trip to him again and he said "let's just do it". Our friend is still living there in the city and we wanted to visit him and I recruited a friend to come along with us as well.

And it is still a great place, I think.

Running up the "Rocky steps" is always a must...

All in all I am thankful for my college experiences. I might do it differently if I could do it all over- but I am glad I am not given that chance. I am glad I got to live on a hall full of girls and enjoy all there was at Eastern, even if only for four months. I am glad that I go to live with my aunt and uncle for a year and take some classes for dirt cheap. I am glad that I got to do the apartment thing with a bunch of great girls for two and a half years and I am glad I was the president of the conflict resolution club for a little while (yea, true story). I am glad that Ben continued his four years at Eastern and I am glad we got married after three and half years of two totally different college experiences. And I am glad I have a reason to visit Philadelphia and have a few small memories there.