Corey Maher
Photo Editor
Over the weekend, a relative asked me if I’m looking forward to graduating next Spring. Without putting much thought into it, I gave a simple response: “Definitely.”
But after taking some more time to think about it, I realized there’s a lot that I am going to miss about being a student here at Fredonia. While I am looking forward to getting started with the next chapter of my life, it’s not going to be easy saying goodbye to my home for the past four years.
These are the five things that I am going to miss most about Fredonia, in no particular order:
The music scene – From the alternative basement shows, to the jazz concerts at EBC, Fredonia has a truly unique music scene. It’s what sets us apart from the other colleges in the WNY area. Our music scene gives local musicians plenty of opportunities to perform and build upon their fan bases. It also enables others to get involved in plenty of ways, such as event planning, band management, live sound/lighting, photography, journalism and more. I’ve been able to fill my portfolio with plenty of photos from concerts on and off campus. I’m lucky to have been a part of a community with so many talented musicians!
The local restaurants – Every town has its own set of critically acclaimed local restaurants, and Fredonia is no exception. Some of the best that I’ve come across are Wing City, EBC, Domus Fare, Azteca, Kasia and Taqueria Mexicana. I’m sure there are others that I still have yet to discover before I graduate.
The Leader – Getting involved with The Leader is easily the best decision I’ve made during my time here at Fredonia. During my first two years, I was not actively involved in any clubs or student organizations. I had no idea what I was missing out on. Thanks to The Leader, I’ve gained so much practical experience doing the work I hope to pursue upon graduation. The Leader has also given me the opportunity to learn from my mistakes, from which I’ve learned some valuable lessons. On top of all that, I’ve been fortunate enough to work closely with an amazing group of people!
My professors – Many students forget to appreciate how much our professors actually do for us. They’re here to help us reach our maximum potential, and they’re always ready to answer our questions. My professors have helped me grow so much as a person, and they’ve played a major role in preparing me for the future. I’ll always be thankful for the knowledge that has been shared with me over the past four years.
My friends – I’ve met so many great people during my time here at Fredonia, and it’s going to be painfully difficult to say goodbye in May. My friends have always been there for me whenever I needed support, and I couldn’t thank them enough for that. It’ll be hard not seeing my friends everyday after graduating, but I know for a fact that I’ll get plenty of opportunities to reconnect and meet up later on. I plan on staying in touch with as many people as possible, and I plan on making my college friendships last for the rest of my life.