The Undergraduate Experience

There are numerous aspects that make up a well rounded college experience. Different pieces make up the whole; from classes to clubs, from sports to new friends, all of these help to balance out the collegiate experience, which varies for every person. Everyone comes to school with different hopes, goals, and expectations. It is extremely important for one to use time effectively and wisely, especially when exploring new and unique areas of learning or interest.
College is an exciting time, and the undergraduate experience at a liberal arts college such as Mary Washington is unique. Many things on the UMW campus represent a true liberal arts school and give it a “college feeling.” When I think of what a liberal arts college is, I think of a gorgeous campus, with ivy growing up buildings and around metal gates.

(photo taken by Avenue44)
Gates such as these are a symbolic welcome to the campus. As the gates open, the academic journey has begun. Beyond these gates lies a world of books, friends, challenging yet informative classes, and many memories. It’s also a way to enclose many different people, languages, and backgrounds into one common place; a melting pot, almost, to learn how to live and interact with one another. I also think of a cozy campus, lit up at night to illuminate the Gregorian buildings in all their glory.

(photo taken by Cyprien)
The best season for a liberal arts college is autumn, when the air is crisp enough to sit outside on a bench and read. The amphitheatre is also a good example of a unique aspect of UMW. It’s rich history has made it known and interesting to students. Not only do friends meet here, but some classes take place here as well. It is another example of how the liberal arts college experience is not as structured and strict as traditional colleges. Thinking “outside of the box” allows for so much development and introspection.

(photo taken by Avenue44)

(photo taken by TWLoughlin)

(photo by Cyprien)
College sparks thoughts of coffehouses and book readings, and acoustic guitar concerts in intimate cafes. Events such as these exhibit the freedom of mind and expression that college allows. With a faculty that supports each and every student in what they excel in, talents are nurtured and skills are developed. Instead of trying to make every student fit a certain mold, whether it be vocational or just as a person, a liberal arts college embraces differences and new ideas.

(photo by Elena777)
Through a liberal arts education, you are able to combine knowledge and creativity in ways that you never thought possible before. It opens the mind to new ways of learning, which holds the key to endless intellectual adventure and exploration. New ways of thinking, interacting, and understanding are developed through a university such as Mary Washington, and everyone who embarks upon the journey will come out of it being more well rounded and better suited for the vocation that awaits them, no matter what the field.