Appalachian State University

Date: Aug 13 2013
Major: Education (This Major's Salary over time)
I love Appalachian. After I completed my first year, I was ready to go back after a week or two of summer. I will break up into sections:

Dorms- dorm life is always going to be kind of shitty. They're always going to be small, you're not paying for a private school. My AC/heat was always working and maitnence came in the same day when it did break. My RA was totally wonderful and I never heard about people having terrible RAs. I was in the all girls dorm in white and found that there were some very sweet girls and then I found the terrible, tacky sorority girl. You can find people you like easily and people are more friendly than they were back in my hometown of Charlotte, NC. If you can't make friends with people in your dorm, visit your friend dorm and meet people there. That's how I met a ton of new people. They have a kitchen in the dorms which was nice and I met a lot of wonderful people there and got to share and enjoy some awesome food. The cleaning crew, Ms. Rita and Ms. Mary, were so sweet and were always there to talk. Dorm life-it's manageable.

Academics- I am an Art Education major. The art department has been super helpful through one on one talks and through my classes. My professors were challenging and helped me to start thinking more out of the box. They taught me new techniques in art and after only one year, I saw my artwork become better which is a dream for any art student. I have to submit a portfolio to get accepted and my professors and professors I didn't even have we're always there to help me put it together and take my anxiety away. I have nothing negative to say about my department, they have been nothing but nice to me.

Social Life- I've seen some reviews of people saying they never could find anything to do and the town is terrible and they only stayed in their dorms and I can only say that these people never tried to embrace this town. I don't like to go clubbing and I'm not 21 so I can't go to bars, so I'm probably limited to what I can do right? No. I have found house shows and I have found small house parties for my weekend nights. During the day after classes, there are hiking trails behind frank hall that my friends and I would go to almost everyday for a nice walk. I have gone hiking and camping and fishing all along the blue ridge trail. I go antique shopping or I can go to the watauga humane society and give my time to some dogs and cats. You can join clubs for all different things or go to a football game or go to the gym and go swimming or rock climbing or do a workout class. Every month the town has an art walk and there are a few open galleries along king street and the campus has galleries to go to as well.

There are so many things the campus and town provide and people just don't want to look. Of course you are going to have days where you can't find anything to do and are bored, but that happens back in your hometown when you're not at college, right?

People- I have met people that I don't get along with and that's normal. You are not going to like everyone. I have met people that I love and they are my friends and my acquaintances. The townspeople are nice and for the most part, friendly. Keep an open mind. There are always going to be snobby people, hippies, tacky sorority girls/frat fucks, annoying people, jocks, art farts, pot heads, etc but I feel like people all kind of get along as a whole.

Transportation- incoming freshman, you don't need a car. It's expensive and a hassle and you live in campus. You don't need it. Take the free bus system, it's a blessing. Think about a car after freshman year, it's cheaper to park in your apartment lot.

I love everything about Boone. If you come here, be open. It was my first choice and I have loved every minute of being here. It's a beautiful place with some really great people.