Whenever I tell people I go to Penn State, they automatically assume I love it. Yes, I am in love with Penn State. However, the reason they often think that must be true is because the party scene is like no other. I do enjoy my weekend social life, but it is not the sole reason I love Happy Valley.
Penn State is more than just one big party. The education students receive is top among other universities in the world. There are so many majors for students to choose from. If you want to go into engineering, there are many directions you can go with that. The engineering program has an exceptional reputation. If you go into school not knowing what you want to study, that is completely ok. The Division of Undergraduate Studies will put you in classes that are required for graduation, while also helping you decide what major is best for you. According to U.S. News, Penn State is ranked as the 52nd best university in the world. That is an unbelievable accomplishment considering how many schools there are in the world.
Football weekends are the best weekends. In the fall, you plan your everything around Saturday football if you have tickets. Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot of drinking involved for football games. Tailgating is one of the best parts of enjoying Penn State football, but it is not the only fun part. Football weekends are a great way to catch up with friends. Recent alum come back to Happy Valley to watch their favorite football team battle it out in Beaver Stadium. Tailgates also provide great food and many memories. Also, you can never go wrong with buffalo chicken dip. Penn State has been one of the best football programs for a while. Even with the scandal that occurred a few years ago, Penn Staters supported the Nittany Lions through it all. The football program is still one of the best in the NCAA. Last season, the Nittany Lions even won our first bowl game since being ineligible from bowl games. Coach James Franklin is doing something right.
The football team gets a lot of attention, but the other athletic programs deserve recognition, too. The addition of the Pegula Ice Arena has been a huge positive. The student season tickets sell out within minutes just because the games are so fun. The hockey team is also amazing. Players have gone off to play in the NHL. The women’s volleyball program is one of the best, if not the best, in the country. They won the NCAA championship seven times. In 2013 and 2014, they claimed the title by beating out some of the best competition in the country. The men’s basketball team may not be the greatest, but the games are really fun. No matter what sporting event you go to, the games are always entertaining.
Penn State also has a beautiful campus. Spending time walking all throughout campus is one of my favorite things to do in Happy Valley. Old Main always provides for a great Instagram if you want to remind your friends you go to Penn State. Taking a pic at the Lion Shrine is an absolute must. If you don’t have a picture at the Lion Shrine, did you really attend PSU? The answer is no.
South Halls are newly renovated. When my friends came to visit, they were blown away by how nice these dorms are. To be honest, they didn’t even feel like they were in a dorm. Downtown State College is also a great aspect. We have our own little town right when you cross over College Ave. Just make sure you don’t look both ways, because that’s a “Total Freshman Move.” There are so many places to shop at. You can never leave State College after a visit without picking up at least one PSU souvenir.
Penn State is its own family. Penn Staters love other Penn Staters. If you wear a Penn State shirt, you are more than likely to strike up a conversation with someone who notices your shirt. It happens to me quite often. Whether it’s in a diner or a mall, if I see a Penn State shirt, I am inclined to say WE ARE!
Don’t get me wrong, we have a great party scene. However, it is a stereotype that often takes over the other positives that Penn State offers. Penn State students do love their drinking, but they also love the education they are receiving. Students can’t forget that they are attending school in Happy Valley to get an education to start their futures. Yes, sometimes they are getting a degree in “shotgunning beer.” Penn State students also take pride in their ability to “slap the bag,” but they take more pride in the A’s they receive in the classes they take. We also take pride in the fact that we proudly wear blue and white to support what we believe to be the greatest place in the world. Who needs Mickey Mouse in Disney when you can have the Nittany Lion in Happy Valley?
