COMMENTARY

Appalachian is a great place, do not complain

April Klaassen

It is hard to believe that it has been almost three years since I first stepped foot on Appalachian State University soil.

As an excited and nervous freshman, I was not sure what I would face here at Appalachian. Soon I would come to realize how much I really enjoyed being here.

Then the newness wore out and the monotony set in and suddenly, all the little annoying things about Appalachian began grating on my nerves. I found myself wasting breath and time complaining about insignificant inconveniences.

I also discovered I am not alone.

Here’s a common scenario: My friends and I will spend 45 minutes complaining about how we were a measly five minutes late to class because a road was blocked off when there is so much more to university life than road construction. We, and I mean myself, my friends and everyone else who belongs to the Appalachian community, can become so caught up in the trivial inconveniences and aspects we do not care for, that we forget the beauty and uniqueness that surrounds our campus.

I am not saying there is nothing about Appalachian that is worth venting about. There are a few things about this campus that frustrate me, and the university will always have its problems. I think it is necessary to vent sometimes, but there is no reason to dwell on the negative.

While I am sure we all become annoyed with parking, construction and other common inconveniences, I would like to remind everyone of the uniqueness and character that make Appalachian State University a pleasant place to spend four years (or more) of our lives.

One complaint I hear numerous times is that there is nothing to do in Boone. I hear students complain that Boone is too small and boring and they cannot wait to graduate and get out of here, which makes me wonder why they came here in the first place. It may seem there’s nothing to do in this area but eat. However, the truth is quite contrary.
Have we forgotten about the beautiful mountains that surround our campus?

While some people may cringe at the thought of spending hours in the sun, water and dirt, I encourage students to branch out of their comfort zones and try something new. With great rock-climbing sites, caves, waterfalls, rivers and trails just minutes away, the possibilities are endless.

I always thought I was somewhat of an indoor girl until I took advantage of the opportunities here in the High Country and discovered activities I never thought I would enjoy. You may, like me, discover new hobbies, or just gain a valuable experience.

If venturing outdoors does not seem pleasurable, there are innumerable ways we can involve ourselves on campus. Appalachian offers numerous organizations, which encompass various interests. It is easy to find one that suits you.

While several of us find ourselves complaining about the mounds of snow we receive, let us not forget the wonderful advantages we have of attending a university just minutes away from ski resorts. Most of us have enjoyed the snowball fights and late night sledding adventures.
And while we all know how embarrassing it is to slip on the ice and fall on our way to classes, we can dust ourselves off, pretend like no one saw and remind ourselves how the snow adds character and humor to our campus.

There is also the unique character of the High Country. Instead of avoiding it, we can become educated and immerse ourselves in the mountain culture. While that statement may make some people chuckle, others can discover and grow to love the enchanting bluegrass melodies, distinctive mountain folklore and all the other unique facets of the Appalachian mountain culture.

Finally, the characteristic of Appalachian I probably enjoy the most, is the friendly, personal atmosphere. The fact that we call the Appalachian community a “family” sounds cheesy, but it represents the reality that most people who are a part of this community really do support each other. While students of other universities become lost in massive crowds, students at Appalachian benefit from more personal classrooms and interaction with professors who, for the majority, actually care about their students’ learning and performance.

Appalachian students also enjoy the friendliness of their peers.
Nothing makes my day more than when a stranger smiles and says hello. That is the character of Appalachian.

Instead of wasting our time complaining about the insignificant problems on campus, let’s remember the beauty and uniqueness of Appalachian and be thankful we belong to such a wonderful community.

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