College is only as good as you make it
Submitted By Jonathan Hirst Is Stony Brook really that unhappy or is just more convenient to label it that than to look at why students are saying it. I believe that Stony Brook is what you make of it, and as a student, you can make your college experience more enjoyable. The focus this year, as in years past, has been the overcrowding of the school. In speaking with students, I can easily see why many of them are upset. Being tripled in a room originally designed for two people is an inconvenience and I’m sure it’s very difficult to get any privacy as a consequence. Class sizes only seem to be growing and many students are unable to get that personal relationship with their professor that they deserve. All of these facts coupled with comparatively high food prices, inadequate parking, and a misconception that there is nothing to do on campus and that will lead to an unhappy student. When I was a freshman, I may have been in this category of an unhappy student, but now that I’m older and have more experience, I am not in that category and I will explain to you why. I came to Stony Brook as a transfer student coming into my junior year. I had spent my freshman year at Hofstra, or should I say I was enrolled at Hofstra, but spent very little time there. I then used the next year to work and not burden myself with school. It was a real eye opener for me because it cemented what I wanted out of life: I wanted more that a mediocre job with a mediocre salary at a mediocre company. The next year I enrolled at Nassau Community College and earned my associates degree in two and half years. I still wanted more and that lead me to one and only choice; Stony Brook University. I also decided for the first time that I wanted to dorm on campus and really have the “full college experience” as my mother so desperately wanted for me. I took it and met some amazing new friends. One of my friends got me involved in Student Government. I got the bug and immediately ran for office the following year. In doing so, I met some more amazing friends, all of which I never would have met had I not joined. I also met some amazing faculty and staff when I was a part of the Student Faculty Staff retreat. Hey guys, newsflash, the administrators DO care what you think! Not only do they care what you think, they want to make sure you have the best college experience you can have AND get a degree from a world class University. I’m not Stony Brook’s cheerleader, but I do believe in school spirit and I think it’s coming out this year in spades. I think that college is what you make of it. You have the power to get involved, meet new people, talk to your professors, and get a great education. I know that there are things to be unhappy about, but there are many more things to be happy about. The administrators at Stony Brook do care what you think and want have Student input. They just haven’t gotten it. So, my message to everyone who reads this article; Get involved! You don’t have to be in Student Government like me, you don’t have to be on a sports team, you don’t have to be a club president, but what you do have to do is get out of your room. Come to an event; come to the USG office if you want to talk about getting involved or if there is something on your mind that you want to share. Even if you are a commuter you can get involved. Take something back from your college experience. Don’t think about how you’re wasting away here for four years of your life. Think about how this is the greatest time of your life and how you can make it better. My office is always open and invite anybody who reads this article to come visit me and find the best way for you to get involved. Jonathan Hirst |
Upcoming events
- Admissions Open House(event)(3 hours)
- Men's Basketball vs Wagner(event)(7 hours)
- Caribbean Students Organization Thanks 4 Giving Dinner(event)(13 hours)
- LASO Multicultural Dinner(event)(13 hours)
- Emanuel Ax and Yefim Bronfman, Duo Piano(event)(13 hours)
