I often get the eye roll or the classic “Oh” when I respond to the “Where do you go to school” question. Attending a school that has a pretty big party reputation is one of the harder things I’ve had to put up with. Whenever someone asks me where I go to school, I say my school name with pride knowing that I am doing great things here however it is very rare for me to get a response that shares my excitement.

Just because my school is known for being a party school does not mean, my college career has been based off of my partying and drinking. Just because I live on the street where a lot of the parties take place does not mean I am the one throwing the parties. Just because I am a college student does not mean I am responsible for the crime happening around me. I am a student who takes pride in the fact that I attend an institution that has a great program that will lead me into my dream career. I am a student who is involved in the campus community. I am a student who wants the student community and the local community to come together. I am a student who wants to be recognized as a student here to learn.

Along with the partying reputation comes the assumption that everyone here isn’t that smart. Once again, that is wrong. Yeah, every school has the group of students who don’t do their work to their fullest potential, but since when does that define every other student? A lot of students here, including myself had to work like crazy to get to where we are today. That hard work didn’t stop once we got our acceptance letters.

To this day, I work like crazy at my “not so smart” school. I am a student-athlete who takes at least 15 credits a semester, while working a part-time job, and being a part of on campus organizations. With all of this, I still manage to find time to hang out with friends, and keep my GPA above a 3.0. I will continue to work as hard as I possibly can. All of my hard work will hopefully lead to my dream career, which not everyone can say they will achieve. I am a hard working student, who cares about my future, and what I am involved with.

I am a student who will always take pride in my school's name, no matter what the reputation is. I am a student who will follow my dreams thanks to program I am enrolled in. I am a student who will continue to strive for excellence in everything I do. I am a student who will be recognized as a student here to learn, and not to party. I am a student who will not let my schools reputation define me.