Moravian College

Disclaimer: being a music student, I live on South Campus, which is practically a college community of its own. There is a clear separation: we joke about North students being unaware of our existence and coming down their senior year to visit with looks of great surprise. We music students will have classes up on North campus (such as LinC courses, Education if you are Music Ed, various courses if you're a double major or minor) and visit friends, Reeves Library, the Marketplace and Cafe, the Theater and other random locations to our leisure. North students occasionally take an art or music course and are sometimes (erroneously) directed by sniggering music majors.

One common complaint is the shuttle system. Warning: it is not reliable. Most of us learn to live with it and make sure to set aside time so we're not (too) late to classes or rehearsal or concerts. The bright side is that the shuttle drivers are absolutely hilarious people to talk to, and you remember that they're human too and have to do whatever the administration instructs them to do.

I see many students in the departments complain about lack of opportunities and apathetic classmates and useless education. But here's what I see: there are so many opportunities, it's just that nobody takes them! I've discovered in trying to get involved with the department that the professors aren't going to tell you what to do outside the classroom. You have to take care of things yourself and go seek out professors, who will be more than happy to assist you, but YOU MUST BE THE ONE TO TAKE INITIATIVE. I realize that this is a very adult concept for those emerging from high school (and that's okay!) but it's one that I've forced myself to learn (and I wasn't happy about it). But it's helped me so much, even in the last few months. I'm planning my future already and still have two years to go! So, be assertive and responsible, and you can literally do anything.

The food at Clewell cafeteria sucks. Get used to it, and instead just enjoy the company of friends and the sassy staff. At least you're not filling up on all of the fried foods from the Cafe up on North campus.

And complaints about the dorms? Please. I'm pretty sure the majority of colleges and universities across the US haven't built new dorms since 1973. We're not all bloody Oxford, mate.

I know that many reviews bash the administration and the students and the faculty and the scholastic achievement but really, what it comes down to is that college, any college, is what you make of it. I spent my first year as a wallflower, with few friends and a neutral attitude about my college choice. The second year I decided to change my situation (without all the mucking about with transfers) and now I have a wonderful group of supportive friends, excellent relationships with my professors, and even the possibility of an international internship in the future!

So please, take every review with a grain of salt, because some people simply do not fit the environment here and that's alright, they belong somewhere else and there are many varied colleges and universities out there, all excellent choices. But there are happy and nice people here, we do exist!

The advice that was given me by a successful senior was this, and I pass it on to you: 1. Put yourself out there 2. Make the most of your situation 3. Take every goddamn opportunity.I hope you find what you're looking for!