Picture yourself sitting on a bench outside the library on whatever college campus you’ve recently seen in a movie. Students are bustling
around, laughing and being excited about attending classes. Everyone seems happy, right? It’s one of those if-these-people-were-any-happier-it-would-be-fake kind of things.
A lot of people have the notion that college isn’t like the movies. Well, in my experience, it is. At least, it is at Marquette. One thing I have continuously witnessed on this campus is how friendly and open people are. I had never once questioned my decision to come to Marquette, and the other day, I met a girl who made me even happier with my choice.
I just left my first class as a senior, and I was sitting outside the library by Joan of Arc Chapel listening to music. A girl walked up to me and asked, “Were you just in my Medieval Monsters class?” When I responded that I was, she said, “My name is Katie! It’s so nice to meet you. I really enjoyed some of the things that you said in class today.” I had never met, or even seen this girl before, but the fact that she took the time out of her day to express her kind thoughts made me extremely appreciative of her.
I never realized people spoke to random strangers until I met Katie. She is a genuinely nice person, and I’m glad there are people like her on this campus. Our encounter had me thinking a lot that day, and I found myself people-watching. Before the afternoon was over, I witnessed many Katies walking around.
I’ve always thought Marquette attracted a certain type of person – someone driven to make the world around him or her a better place. Until that day, I had never really witnessed it.
It could be the fact that summer just ended, but people at Marquette seem happy. The entire campus is filled with excitement and smiling faces. The sound of friends’ laughing when they reunite after a summer apart is infectious. The smiles strangers give you as they walk past are contagious. Marquette is a fantastic place, and I am so very fortunate to experience a daily dose of happiness here in Milwaukee.