As I rapidly approach the end of my second semester at college, I am forced to reflect upon my moments and experiences thus far. College has not been what I anticipated it to be, and that is slightly disappointing. I was so excited to start school, especially after waiting an extra year. When I arrived on campus I was filled with optimism and wonder. That has been dampened. While there are many attributes that make up a college experience, the one most important to me are the academic and social experiences I have borne witness to.

Often times when I am in class I feel as though I am back in high school. Students are loud, disruptive, and show a general lack of respect for others. This may be because I am taking the Freshman level 100 classes, and thus the students are new, but so am I and yet I act in a professional manner. Walking through the hall here on Campus seems like a zoo, with people acting immaturely and loudly throughout. My residence hall is no exception, quite frequently there are loud and disrupting noises well passed quiet hours. Even when I go out of my room to say something, I often find the RAs themselves participating in these activities. I guess that I would have to say there is a general lack of respect here.

I do really like Canisius, there are many things about the school that I like, however, they are things I have chosen to involve myself in, such as a work study in the Griff Center, becoming a Brother in Alpha Kappa Psi, and taking classes that interest me. However, there are many things which detract from mt experience. The food here is absoultey deplorable. The staff is the most unprofessional, unclean, and downright disrespectful crew that I have ever seen. The dining hall moves slowly and the offerings are lackluster. Going to the dining hall is an unpleasant experience, and it really should not be.

The facilities here leave much to be desired. The buildings on Campus are old, and in many cases, crumbling. The tunnel system that Canisius prides itself on fails to create solutions to real problems in terms of human movement, and the only gym on Campus is both far away and really inadequate. The surronding community is not safe and often I worry about individuals I see walking alone. I am blessed to have a car, however, not all are as fortaunte and must make dangerous treks around Campus.

This is not an article designed to bash the school I attend, more of a stream of conscious thought process to understand what it is I hope to get out of my college expereince, and how I can do what is best for me. At the end of the day I am the one paying for my education, and I have a right to demand the best things for my overall success. I implore my readers to take a look at their life and realize that they are not stuck in their current situation. There is always another option.