Since summer has turned into a rather repetitive cycle of work and game nights and working out for me, I’d like to break out of that rut and try to keep my blog, as some might say, “fresh” and “real”. With that said, I’d like to bring you my Top 10 list for favorite things about the University of Richmond. Hopefully, this will also be of some help to all of the prospective students. So, without further ado, here are my “Top 10 Favorite Things About the University of Richmond”:
1. Financial Aid- For me, the financial aid package that the University gave me is the reason that I am here. I think that is the case for a lot of the students at UR. One in 13 students is here on a full-ride and those who are not on merit scholarships have very generous grants and loans. Even though we are in the Top 5 schools in the country as far as tuition and it costs $50,000 a year to go here, the school tries really hard to make it affordable. The perks that come with the scholarships are amazing as well. I was able to have a weekend vacation to Chicago as well as receive some other great perks all because of the financial aid.
2. Opportunities for Research/Study Abroad/Internships- I didn’t have a very good idea of what I wanted to do with my life when I came here. I hadn’t decided on a major and I knew that I wanted to travel somewhere in the world. Well, Richmond has given me so many opportunities to explore my options right off the bat. They have Lakeview, which is the new residence hall that houses some academic programs. So, I’m exploring Political Science through the Campaigns 2008 program. I’m also exploring my interest in Mathematics by doing paid math research this summer, even though I’m not planning to major in math. Further, some of my friends are exploring other great opportunities, such as working at the Virginia Capitol for Virginia’s Attorney General, studying global health in Peru, or interning at an investment bank in Asia. All of these students just completed their first year at Richmond. With that said, there are incredible study abroad options for after your freshman year. I’m continually amazed at all of the options that we have here. I like to say that Richmond is an undergraduate school that has the opportunities of a graduate school.
3. President Ayers- What can I say about President Ayers? I, along with the rest of the student body, love him. He’s only been here a year, but he is so kind, attentive, and simply amazing. He’s a constant presence on campus and you’ll see him at so many of the events. He leads the cheers at our sports games and attends all the cultural performances as well as gives lectures and teaches an evening history class at his home where he cooks dinner for his students. Since I’m on Student Government, I’ve gotten to know him even more and he is so open to what the students have to say. I could go on and on, but I’d better stop soon. I’m just really excited for the future that he has here.
4. Professors/Small Classes- All of the professors here are great. They have met with me outside of their office hours so many times that I can’t even count anymore. Most of the times that I need help, I’ll just randomly stop by and they’ll drop whatever they’re doing and help me. It’s really great. Plus, they bring their classes to their home and cook dinner for them. The classes are also great because they are so small. The largest class I have had has been 24 students. The entire class gets to know each other really well and I still keep in touch with a lot of my classmates.
5. Fitness Center- Our Fitness Center is only one year old and it is incredible. I successfully avoided it most of the year because I thought I didn’t like working out at the gym. Man, was I wrong. I finally went and I’ve kept on going. I wouldn’t say that I enjoy working out, but the Weinstein Center makes it so easy. The facilities are simply amazing. Everything is free for us and state-of-the-art. Also, they provide great opportunities such as our ropes course and fitness classes. If you don’t want to miss your favorite TV show, like me, then you can either watch it on the TV attached directly to your equipment or on the wall of TVs at the front of the room. It’s really remarkable. Plus, the staff is so nice. I’m currently working with them to bring a disc golf course to campus and they have been very helpful. In short, there’s no reason that someone should get the Freshman 15 at our school.
6. Construction- Most people really hate construction, but I’m really excited about it here. We just completed building a new residence hall this past year. Now, we are renovating a different residence hall. We are also moving the football stadium on-campus, expanding our Business School, expanding the Westhampton Dean’s office, and building a new Center for International Education within the next few years. I also believe we will be renovating our Student Commons in the next year. So, our campus is going to have so many new things to offer that are really exciting.
7. Food- Usually, college food is very limited and not very good. That is definitely not the case at Richmond. We have so many options and all of the food is amazing, especially the desserts. I keep stumbling upon new favorite dishes each week. This week, my new favorite food that I create is a tuna melt. I have yet to get sick of the food here. We also have a Freshens Smoothie place, a Starbucks coffee shop, and our own bar and grill called The Cellar that are part of our meal plan. I love to go to the Cellar on the weekends with my friends and eat their great food as well.
8. Lunch Ladies/Paper Man- We have so many people who work here, but there are a few that can make my day. We have a dining center cashier named Ethel and a paper delivery man from the Richmond Times-Dispatch who are always smiling. Ethel calls everyone “darling” or “baby” or has some fun saying. She can really brighten your day when you walk in for breakfast after a long night of studying. The paper delivery man always says “Have a blessed day” whenever he sees someone and is one of the nicest people you will ever meet.
9. Intramural Sports- I always like to play sports, but was never good enough to continue into college, so I started to play intramurals. I formed a team with my friends from InterVarsity and played football and volleyball. There are some really competitive games, but they are all really fun. My team managed to win the volleyball championship and playing intramurals was definitely one of the highlights of my year.
10. Modlin Center- The Modlin Center is our home for artistic performances on-campus. The tickets are so cheap for students that there is no reason that students can’t go. I saw Broadway superstars, Arlo Guthrie, Bobby McFerrin, professional acting groups, Second City comedy group, and so many more. Each ticket was only $8. The schedule for the next academic year has been released and there are some really exciting performers that will be coming in the fall.
Honorable Mentions: Alumni, Movies at the Pier, the City of Richmond, Wide Variety of Organizations, The continuous calendar of student events that are free, B1 in the Library (Quiet Studying Floor)
Quote of the Week: “We do not quit playing because we grow old, we grow old because we quite playing.” -Oliver Wendell Holmes
Thought to Ponder: Why is there a South Carolina law prohibiting anyone under the age of 18 from playing a pinball machine? Aren’t those the only people that usually play it?
Shout Outs: Any prospective students
YouTube Video of the Week:
This was just really amazing
