As I was mulling over what to write about in my last perspective of my Miami University career, I realized the range of topics were limited. I mean, what sort of things do seniors write about? Graduation, the "future," the job market, growing up, the bittersweet thought of leaving Skippers … You get the point.
Unfortunately, as graduation draws closer, I grow even more apathetic to my plight. I'm glad schoolwork will be winding down, but at the same time it's disheartening when I don't have a job yet. I have post-graduation prospects; however, there's something about this place I can't bring myself to leave.
Miami hasn't been the perfect bedfellow during my undergraduate years. For a long time, I struggled to fit in with other students' economic and political backgrounds. Miami has been hard on my wallet, leaving me and my family with a large number of loans to pay off in the upcoming years. Over the years, I've been annoyed, frustrated, disappointed and mad at this place, and I don't know if nostalgia will make it all go away.
But still, the school spirit bug has bit me. It's surprising considering I've always considered myself way too cool for school (please note the sarcasm). I don't run around drenched in red and white, I generally avoid school-sponsored activities … I didn't even protest the blackout. I like school and take it seriously, but beyond that, apathy reigns supreme. So at contradictory times like these, I find myself looking at the past to figure out how I got here.
I certainly didn't harbor dreams of being a RedHawk. Growing up about an hour away, I certainly knew about Miami, but I never wanted to visit. It wasn't the school per se, nor the "preppy" stereotype, that repulsed me. It was that after living in the heart of conservative and rural southwestern Ohio for 13 years, I wanted a change. From what I'd seen of Butler County, the move didn't seem like the cultural leap for which I was searching.
In many ways, I was right. However, during my four years as a student I have met so many wonderful people who have made this town their home. I have to admit, Oxford is a special place … even if it is located in the middle of a cornfield. And even though I promised myself after high school never to live in the middle of a cornfield ever again, Oxford made it worthwhile.
But it wasn't Oxford that changed my mind about attending Miami. It really wasn't Miami's academic reputation either - with an interest in journalism and English, I looked at schools that excelled in both. And let me tell you, they were tempting. Their reputations were excellent, and they had the added bonus of being far from home.
But even there, Miami got me again. I knew that at the other schools, I would be forced to choose one major or the other (some didn't even offer journalism). At Miami I was encouraged, nay forced, to choose a second major to accompany my journalism degree. Some may find that annoying, but I think it's cool. In order that we future-journalists don't become bogged down in the mechanics of our profession, we have to supplement our education with another field of study. We can follow our passions, pursue outside interests or hone our skills so that we're fully prepared to enter a really crappy job market. So while the programs aren't nationally renowned, I have grown to appreciate my education at Miami for its quiet strengths.
It certainly wasn't Miami's sports that drew me to Oxford either. In fact, I specifically didn't want to be part of a "sports culture." For me, school is about what you learn in the classroom. The strengths of an institution of higher learning should therefore reflect that belief. Yes, I know this makes me a nerd, and I'll admit my interest in sports is little to none. So while I was glad to know Miami has a rich and storied history on the playing field, I was relieved the school isn't defined by that reputation and for four years, I happily ignored Miami football and basketball.
Then, this hockey thing came along. I was never a hockey fan - who plays hockey outside of Canada anyway? Well, Miami plays hockey - they play it well and are loved by many on campus, including me. Now I can't tell you one thing about hockey besides what I learned from a year of editing sports stories. What I can tell you is that when Miami fell to Boston University in a heartbreaking national championship game, I cried.
There, I admit it. I cried when Miami lost. Why? I've never liked sports, so why start now? What's wrong with me? Who is this person I've become? And what did they do with Laura?
Unfortunately, I believe the answer lies in an upsurge of stupid, useless and completely wonderful school spirit. Initially, this thought frightened me because it challenged the persona I believed myself to be.
At the same time, though, I am reminded of driving up to Miami for my first visit, stepping out of the car and realizing that this is what college was supposed to be - for me. I've certainly changed these past four years, and I blame Miami entirely.
So I hope you're happy Miami. You got me.
