Essays on Nothing: The Barren Wasteland
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Essays on Nothing: The Barren Wasteland

12
Essays on Nothing: The Barren Wasteland

Do you smell that? It’s the stench of desperation. It’s the stench of long nights and shaky hands, of loathing and perseverance: Final’s Week. During that time you might want to take a second and look at the hustle and bustle of the campus. Beautiful, no?

The warm weather has everything looking much better now that the snow has melted. Hard to imagine, but in less than a month’s time the population of this city is going to be literally decimated, taking away much of the natural beauty the city possesses along with it.

Thousands of us will be heading home for the summer months before returning in the fall, and that is going to leave this place looking like a barren wasteland. It’s actually going to look more like a ghost town. Trust me. Having spent two summers here, I know exactly how quiet Iowa City gets during the summer.

Sure, you get the arts festivals happening, and some concerts here and there, there’s even the reservoir to head out to and cool down if you get the chance. But if you live here with nothing to do over the summer, you might drive yourself crazy (more so than trying to get along being a student here).

The important thing to keep in mind is that you need to readjust your pace of life for the next few months if you want to get along swimmingly. That’s one of the great parts about this town in the summer. Everyone knows how to relax. The lack of schoolwork certainly helps (even if you are taking a class or two). If you can manage to slow down and kick back, you’ll find that Iowa City in the summertime is its own temporary paradise.

A big plus is the police. Ever since the 21 ordinance it’s like this town turned into a police state. Since when is it necessary to post up in front of the Ped Mall on a Tuesday night WHEN NO ONE GOES OUT ON TUESDAY NIGHTS ANYMORE!?

As you might have noticed I find the whole situation a bit frustrating. But the great thing is that the police are generally nonexistent and laid back in the summer. They know that there aren’t any big crowds to worry about, and consequently there is less of a mob mentality downtown.

Less crowds means the bars aren’t busy, streets aren’t congested, which means Iowa City becomes one big magnificent playground for the few 20-somethings that choose to live here. Honestly, if you don’t spend one summer in Iowa City during your college career you might as well have never graduated.

The summer in itself is a time for renewed revival and vitality in the things you weren’t able to attend to during the school year. Being able to do that on campus with a few close friends when no one else is around is indescribable. It might be the first opportunity some people have at defining what the word “family” means.

You and your friends will have an unimaginably incredible experience. You’ll get so stuck in the ways of summer that when the sun starts to get at its hottest, and the multitudes begin to make their way back to Mecca, you won’t quite know how to get over the previous three months. And stuck you will remain until you realize that you will always have one more summer to try it all over again.  ASGF.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

39925
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

24481
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

950374
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

130340
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments