I come from a town where it’s considered classy to hang brass testicles from the back of trucks. Now I live in a town where homemade peace and love signs decorate front yards. My current life is the epitome of culture shock.
I may be a small-town girl from Wyoming, but I have done a fairly good job of surviving my first month of college. I’ve tripped up steps in the EMU and mistakenly walked into the wrong class, but I know I’m not the only one. Yet somehow, I still love it here. I love walking outside and being in a place where everyone is accepted by someone. My professors have been fantastic, most students have been friendly and Frog’s joke books are always good for a genuine laugh.
Still, there is no shortage of “freshman hardships.” My first came when I got stuck living at Stadium Park Apartments. Every morning I wake up early to pedal across the river or elbow my way onto the 79x, aka “The Sardine Express.” Late nights on campus are nonexistent because of a lack of transportation home. The express bus stops its route at 7 p.m., meaning the only options to get home are biking, walking, venturing through the dark and creepy Eugene Station, or waiting for the Assault Prevention Shuttle to make its run to Stadium Park once every two hours.
First, I tried walking. Simply put, I was terrified. Streetlights were off, so holding our cell phones out, my roommate and I crept down the path on tippy-toes. However, lack of lighting and emergency phone stations on the path eliminated this as an option. Next, I tried the bus through Eugene Station. After a man in dark glasses stared at me during the whole ride, I was too scared to try again.
Typical dorm life is known for its ability to jump-start friendships. Like many off-campus freshmen, I was robbed of this opportunity. I didn’t even meet my CAs (the equivalent of an RA for Stadium Park) until three weeks into school. This has taken its toll on me. I’ve tried to meet people and make friends, but it’s been hard.
Another downfall of living at Stadium Park is the lack of a meal plan. We are forced to use DeDuck, which is a hassle when it comes to budgeting. If students are to continue living at Stadium Park, there should be a meal plan created that offers 5-7 meals per week. This would allow students to receive at least one fulfilling meal each day, as opposed to living on Top Ramen and Bowl Appetit as I do.
I go to sleep every night thinking that what doesn’t kill me only makes me stronger. Don’t get me wrong – I’m happy to be here. But next year the University should consider booting some upperclassmen off campus and making dorms mandatory for freshmen to help ease the worries of students when they need as easy a transition as possible into college life.
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