My freshman year here at St. Bonaventure was everything I could’ve hoped for and more. I got comfortable on campus, made friendships I’m certain will last my whole life, learned how to be independent when needed, joined a few clubs, and kept my grades up. Everything about my first year was so picture-perfect that, ironically, it created a huge problem: I didn’t want to go home for summer. Not even a little bit.
I had adapted so well to Bonas that the idea of going home made me sick. Sure, I survived and even enjoyed breaks, but they lasted only days or weeks. A month max for winter break. I wasn’t sure I could stomach the three months at home that summer vacation entailed.
Now, back at Bonas, I can tell you it wasn’t so bad being home, but I definitely missed many of the things that make St. Bonaventure so special. Here’s my top five:
1. The Location
This one is either going to be extremely relatable or the exact opposite for you, but Olean/St. Bonaventure are huge compared to my hometown. So, the first thing I missed was the convenience of the location.
In my town, we have a Shop ’N Save and a Dollar General. That’s it. The nearest Walmart is about half an hour away, whereas at Bonaventure, you can get to one in two minutes. There’s also a Marshalls that I spend too much money at, KFC/Taco Bell that always gets DoorDash orders from me late at night, and even a Dunkin’ right across the street.
You always take fast food and shopping centers for granted until you have to plan nearly half a day around going to them.
2. The Scenery
This might sound similar to the location, but I don’t mean the retail that’s nearby; I mean the nature surrounding campus.
I always forget how lucky we are as St. Bonaventure students to get to wake up every day to the sun rising over the beautiful hills. Rock City is literally 15 minutes away. The trails surrounding campus are gorgeous, and I feel so lucky every time I get to walk them.
The trees turn beautiful fall colors eventually, and even winter can be stunning (when it’s not a sludgy mess).
3. My Clubs
In high school, I like to think I was really involved. I knew I wanted to be the same way in college. This led me to join clubs like Empower, Her Campus (obviously), SBU Democrats, and even Dance Team, even though I had never danced a day in my life before coming to SBU.
While sometimes keeping up with these extracurriculars did get tiring, I realized how lucky I was to be a part of so many wonderful communities and teams over the summer when I had nothing of the sort.
Maybe the grass is always greener, but I’ll try to keep in mind how bored I was over the summer and how badly I wanted to come back when I feel swamped.
4. The Hickey
This one I know is controversial but hear me out. The Hickey isn’t that bad. Me, personally, I would even say it’s good.
I forgot how nice it is to have an unlimited buffet all day, every day, especially since my parents stopped eating when I went to college, judging by the lack of groceries (anyone else?).
I’m not going to even sit here and pretend like I don’t absolutely tear up a good Hickey meal after classes or the gym when I’m particularly hungry.
HM: Freshens, La Verna, and the Skeller. Not Yella’s, though, because why is it so expensive?
5. The People
I had to save the best for last, of course.
St. Bonaventure would be nothing without the people. I’m not only talking about my amazing friends who motivate me every day, but also the professors who encourage me to be the best I can be, the other staff everywhere on campus who keep the place I love so much running, and even the stranger who smiles at me while walking past me on the sidewalk.
Every single person here makes SBU so incredibly special that I feel sorry every day for anyone at a different college.
Okay, I know I said five things in the title and the introduction, but I have to add a sixth, which is getting educated.
I’m so lucky not only for the first five things I listed, but also for the opportunity to get an education itself. I wouldn’t be at Bonaventure if it weren’t for being able to pursue a degree, and I know that all over the world people are denied that.
So, thank the Lord for everything on this list.
Be good, do good, God bless, go Bills, and go Bonnies!
I can’t wait for a sophomore year that makes me dread summer just as much.