A lot of people ask me why I chose Liberty, because well, they think I'm absolutely insane. Why would a college student, who finally has a bit of freedom, want to go to a university that is governed by rules? Honestly, I thought I might have been crazy myself. Why would I want this for my first experience living alone?
Well, the story begins that I didn't want to go to Liberty. Actually, I thought I wanted to go to Washington and Lee, but the tuition was way too much. William and Mary was the second choice, but something about the campus just bugged me. So my parents made me tour Liberty, and when I said made, I mean pretty much dragged me up to Lynchburg kicking and screaming. It wasn't my idea of fun on my spring break of junior year.
So here I am, standing in the middle of an East Campus quad completely turned off to the idea of Liberty. I didn't want to go somewhere huge, I didn't want a big campus, and I most certainly didn't want to go to a school with practically their own Bible of rules. (Which is untrue, there really aren't that many rules) When something awesome happened.
The tour guide started talking about the prayer communities on the hall and all the things Liberty has to offer in the faith department. Most people would consider this a less than significant point in choosing a college, but for me that was most important.
I appreciated all the growth that the university was offering, and I thought that it might be a good fit for me. Boy, was I right. I have never regretted my choice to attend Liberty, even when it's 90 degrees and I can't wear shorts to class, or when I can't stay out past 12:30 on a Friday night. (Then again, that's mostly my own decision)
Liberty is truly my home. The people I have met there have changed me in ways I never would've imagined. Every week I get the opportunity to sit under profound speakers that regularly challenge me intellectually as well as spiritually. I have friends that are better than any others I have had prior to coming to college. These crazy, straight laced kids have become my family and I wouldn't trade them for the world. Liberty has also given me the opportunity to explore careers that I had never considered when thinking about what I would want to do with the rest of my life. I certainly didn't think going in I'd be writing for a national journalism platform or change from majoring in Chemistry to Journalism with a Political Science concentration.
My point is, a college can be a place that will shape and change you for the better. But for me, my home is at Liberty and my heart will always be there. I recognize that my school isn't for everyone, and I would never force someone into going to Liberty if they didn't like it, because to truly have a heart for this school, you have to want to be here.
And I wanted this, more than I had wanted anything before, even when I thought it was the last place on my safety school list I would ever want to be.
