One of the things that made me fall in love with U.Va. was, quite simply, its size. The big-but-not-too-big feel of the school made my decision to come here much easier. I was not interested in going to a mammoth school like Ohio State or being cramped in a fishbowl-sized school like Bates College. I needed something that would make Goldilocks proud, something just right. U.Va. has proven to be the perfect fit.
I love how I learn of a new tradition or visit a new place on Grounds every day. I knew the ins and outs of every crevice by the time I left my high school, but I like the idea that I might not have the same experience here. I recently learned of a Saturday morning Farmer's Market that takes place at the Downtown Mall from spring to fall every year. I cannot wait to wake up early one morning and visit it; my friends and I are already planning to make a trip to the Downtown Mall a routine. While the size of this school is such that you may only see four people you know when walking from one end of campus to the other, the large populace offers a sense of anonymity and security.
My latest and most useful discovery is the second floor of Clemons Library. Having never ventured past the Robertson Media Center in Clemons, the café in Alderman, or Mural Hall in Brown Science and Engineering Library, this was no small feat. (I had actually been in the stacks of the Music Library to take a nap one day because I had an hour between classes, but I guess that doesn't really help my case.) I had only been in Clemons to meet for one group project, view a film for my ENWR class and rent movies -- all of this last semester. This past Monday, with a sociology paper due in less than 24 hours, I decided to take the leap. Well, actually the stairs, but in any case this was the best decision I have made during my time here. I positioned myself in a cubicle near an emergency exit -- just in case -- and set up my laptop and books and settled in for some good ol' fashioned writing.
A little explanation for those of you who think this is not only unimportant, but that I am crazy: As I mentioned before, I had never been to the library to complete my own work -- not just in college, but ever. I have always just done my work at home or lately, in the study lounge in my dorm. I guess you can label me as one of those first-years who have been shocked by their first-semester GPA to kick it into gear and remember exactly where they are. I admit I used to stigmatize the library and the people who dwelled in the stacks, but my Clemons visit ensured this would no longer be the case.
There were students talking in the background, but I was able to focus on my individual work -- the thought that my peers were keeping an eye on me prevented my procrastination on YouTube or Facebook. Even though it was barely afternoon when I entered the library and the sun had set by the time I left, I wasn't fazed. With my mission complete, I started other homework and delighted in knowing I had finally found a place void of distractions. I have been to Clemons three more times this week and plan on going at least four times a week from now on.
My next daunting task is to visit the fist floor of Clemons, and after that I am off to the many other floors of Alderman, the Science and Engineering Library and other unexplored territory of the University's libraries. In a school this big, it's easy to get lost in the crowd, but I'm glad that I am finding my niche.
Ian's column runs biweekly Fridays. He can be reached at ismith@virginia.edu.
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