Adrianne Richardson/Contributing Writer
As high school students, most of us were told to apply to every college we would like to attend. Although many made it into their first choice, many, including myself, didn’t.
FIU was my second choice. Many of us were conditioned into believing that the “college life” wouldn’t exist if you were this close to home. But, as I’ve learned while living on campus, this isn’t the case. Why? I am a proud Panther; I am from Miami and living the ideal college life.
Living on campus in Panther Hall is a huge reason. Apart from the obvious rewards of living among so many people your own age, I’ve learned how to co-exist with others.
You learn self-control. For example, when someone takes something of yours, conversation — rather than argument — becomes the way to a solution.
You learn to be unselfish. When I braved the potential discomfort of waking my roommate to make sure she didn’t miss her class, I found she was grateful, and, shortly thereafter, returned the favor.
You gain a better understanding of world views through your neighbors, living among a wide variety of ethnicities and cultures. There is no room to be anti-social. At an international university like ours, students are engaging and are willing to learn new things.
Gaining an open mind about your peers leads to becoming an active student joining clubs like the Black Student Union, Student Government, a fraternity or sorority, College Democrats, and many more. There, you realize that college is about more than getting good grades; it’s about growth.
Dorm life helps you to realize that the value of a college experience isn’t determined by how far you are from Mom and Dad, or whether you go to your dream school or not. If anything, it can renew your appreciation for your hometown.
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