Although Nick Miller from hit TV series New Girl is poor and perpetually jobless, he still looks at the bright side: “I found garbage that has chocolate on it” he says proudly.
You, too, should look for the positives among these seven common complaints heard on campus.
1. There are no apartments for underclassman
I know, I know. Crawford dorms are a little rough: crowded, small, dirty. But everyone says that college is that last time in our lives when we have next to zero responsibility. So why burden ourselves with cleaning our bathrooms, grocery shopping and making our own food? You will have plenty of time to do that senior year and in REAL LIFE. So don’t hate on Denison too much for depriving you of an apartment-otherwise known as responsibility.
2. Off-campus housing is not a thing
This complaint tends to coincide with #1. Denison requires every student to live on campus and this tends to be a frustration for a majority of students after experiencing the horrors of Shorney. But, don’t forget what off-campus means. You think your walk from East to A-quad is tough? Imagine what it would be like if you lived somewhere that wasn’t even considered part of campus. Denison is merely doing us a favor.
3. We live on a Hill
I have two defenses:
1. Isn’t your insta filled with pictures of the view from atop this hill?
2. The Freshman 15 doesn’t exist on this campus: “you’re welcome.”
4. “I know everyone”
With this I refute: but YOU KNOW EVERYONE. It is not common on most college campuses for a student to be able to walk into the dining hall alone and have confidence that that will be someone familiar at five or more tables. Although this small community means that news spreads fast, it also means you have countless number of people who genuinely know and care for you all over campus- including professors.
5. Attendance is required / the professors know when you are not in class
Sure this is a nuisance when you go a little too crazy on Wednesday night- we all know the feeling- but the required attendance keeps you accountable. If we follow the transitive property, accountability=good grades.
Secondly, need I say uhh hello recommendation letters? Having a close relationship with your professors is an open door into the real world. Professors are a great resource for not only recommendation letters but for networking as you transition from college life into your career.
6. The walk to the Sunnies is so far
Especially when the temperature drops, the walk to the Sunnies is a good enough reason to stay home on Friday night (at least in my book). But when it comes down to it, it is only an eight-minute walk and it is probably beneficial considering the calories you are about to consume.
7. Its like the term “liberal arts education” is on repeat
The term liberal arts education seems to be jammed into our brains from the day we arrive until the day we graduate. Professors stress not only this phrase but also all of those within our mission statement (autonomous thinkers, etc.). Although it seems artificial and repetitive, it is actually important. At Denison, we pride ourselves in receiving a liberal arts education for many reasons. This means that we tend to have a hands-on education that stresses experience and genuine learning verses facts on a test. Here at Denison, we can be major in Chemistry with a minor in dance. That cannot be done at some of the larger schools around us; so, instead of getting irritated when professors proclaim this, rejoice with them. It is what we are here for.
So, even though some of these complaints are validated, consider looking at the bright side. #DUproud