This year, a couple of my friends from high school began their college careers here at Ball State University. Talking to them before their transition, they were as eager as any other incoming freshman, ready to get out of their parents' houses and begin their lives as independent members of society.
Now, however, they are looking for ways to get out of the black hole they perceive their surroundings to be.
What happened to make their attitudes change so quickly? They are being immersed into two of the best programs at Ball State and have discovered the wonder that is Concannon's.
What could possibly be wrong here?
The fact is that they have encountered what so many before them have struggled with. For many, Muncie is nothing more than a boring, lame excuse of a city. When it seems the only things to do are eat, sleep, drink, watch movies and study, life can get pretty repetitious. I have heard them tell of riding the MITS around for fun.
Who is at fault here? I would have to say the unhappy students themselves.
When choosing a college to go away to, all too often people just focus on the school itself. They look at the program qualities, the classroom sizes and maybe even the extracurricular activities.
What they fail to notice is the city around the school. I mean, for many of us, Muncie was the first place we chose to live. If you would not choose to live inside of Muncie after you graduated, why would you choose to live here for four years out of your life?
Many would argue that the great education and hands-on experience you gain from a school like Ball State outweigh the negatives that come from living in a place like Muncie, but you have to make a list of priorities. Is it more important to get a great education in your field or to have something interesting and cultural to do on Friday night?
If you are set on staying at Ball State but want to take your social experiences a little further than those keggers on the weekend, all you have to do is look. Granted you have heard hundreds of times about the "hidden gems" that lie within the city or the free programs held by Ball State itself, like "Late Night." These are great opportunities for good, cheap fun.
If your dreams are a little bigger, try to get into contact with university organizations like UPB and SGA. Many high quality acts like Margaret Cho have been brought to Ball State because there was a demand from just a few people. Sometimes you have to work to get the things you want, but more often than not it pays out in the end.
If you are one of those people who feels like you just ended up in a rotten place that will never change, do not just sit there and waste four years of your life wallowing in your self-pity. Research other places and see which fits you the best.
College is not just about learning, but it is also about the friends and social experiences you pick up along the way.
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