As a first-year student at St. Lawrence University, my fall semester has been… interesting. I’m so thankful for the wonderful campus I’ve learned to love and all the amazing people who have made it possible for me to even be on campus amid a global pandemic. I’ve been on campus for three months, missing home like crazy, but I’m also hesitating to leave St. Lawrence. What better thing to do than create a Pro/ Con list to sort my thoughts?
Pro: I Get to See My Parents
Con: I Need to Say Goodbye to All My New Friends
In place of my actual family, I’ve been able to meet so many new people. It’s going to be strange to wake up without a roommate and not have my friends just down the hall from me. It’s just going to be a month or so before I can see them again, right? Fingers crossed they pick up all my facetime calls.
Pro: Winter Break Means No More Classes
For the most part– sans a week or so of remote learning– going home means no more work! I’ll finally be able to take a breath and relax. Now I won’t feel guilty about binging a new show or sleeping in. No homework, no worries.
Con: Leaving My Favorite Study Spots
One of my favorite things about college so far is the versatile study spaces that SLU has to offer. Doing work seems like an adventure when I can go to Herring-Cole, the library, or the student center. I’m going to miss the ability to move around campus throughout the day (even if it is to do work). Where will I procrastinate at home now?
Pro: Familiarity with My Hometown
Going home means I get to go to my childhood favorite places. I have the familiarity of all the coffee places and restaurants, not needing to worry about navigating new food orders. I can live in the comfort of everything I grew up with. Plus, I get to reconnect with all my longtime hometown friends.
Con: Leaving the North Country
Though travel has been limited this semester, I was still able to experience the beautiful experience of living in the North Country. I’ve found such a great appreciation for the nature inside and surrounding SLU. It’s been a luxury to have hiking trails connecting to campus where I can take walks whenever I want.
I’m lucky to have both a home and a campus that I’ll miss. COVID-19 has set some restrictions on traveling between the two, but I’m grateful for the communities that ensure my safety and allow me to be here in the North Country. It’ll be tough to say goodbye to campus for now, and I better learn how to quickly. This is just my first time leaving, which will definitely be harder than I thought. It’s just a month or so away from St. Lawrence, right?
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