In three weeks, my four years at UW-Madison will come to an end. Everyone is always talking about what an amazing university this is and how there’s nothing greater than being a Wisconsin Badger, but is it really all it’s cracked up to be? I mean, I guess you could say it’s been the best four years of my life, but let me share with you some parts about my time here at UW-Madison that I won’t miss.
I won’t miss the fact that despite going to a school with 40,000 students, I am constantly running into friends and classmates everywhere I go. I thought I would constantly be alone at a school this big, but oh no–there’s friendly people everywhere, and it’s annoying.
I won’t miss the fact that there are at least ten delicious food carts that crowd Library Mall when the weather’s nice. From falafel to tacos to smoothies– who needs all that fancy food? I’d much prefer to stick to my plain turkey and mayo sandwich, thank you very much.
I won’t miss the fact that our sports teams are all obnoxiously talented. Making it to playoffs and back to back final four appearances is just so overrated. Can’t we ever just lose a little to make it interesting?
I also won’t miss the fact that this campus bleeds red and white any time a team is playing. Like, we get it–we’re all part of this amazing Badger family, and we like to show our pride and support for all Badgers, but seriously calm down. The camaraderie is nauseating.
I won’t miss the fact that this campus sits between two gorgeous lakes and that I lived mere feet from the water’s edge during my freshman year. Honestly, who has the time or energy to swim off the pier at Memorial Union on a hot day or kayak around Lake Mendota? Not me.
I won’t miss all the professors and classes that shaped my education and helped me find a career path I was truly passionate about. It just doesn’t make sense that a brilliant person would want to spend their valuable time and energy helping an undergrad like me. I’d rather fend for myself, thanks.
I won’t miss this campus being next door to our state’s Capitol building, the farmer’s market and delicious restaurants that surround the square. It’s just unnecessary for a building to be that beautiful and to have campus so close to the heart of democracy in our state.
I won’t miss the fact that we have two student unions. Isn’t one enough? There’s no need for two unions full of study spaces and places to eat. One has a free movie theater and a bowling alley, and the other is right on the lake with our famous terrace. Ugh, stop.
I won’t miss all the special and time-honored traditions this university holds. Singing Varsity with my fellow Badgers? No thanks. Sitting on Abe’s lap for graduation or rubbing his toe for good luck? Pass. Jump around with 80,000 fans? Give me a break.
I won’t miss the fact that I got to live in a house with my very best friends, and that I got to see their faces and talk to them every single day. I certainly won’t miss those Saturday nights we spent tearing up the town, the Sunday mornings we spent laughing about it, and all the times they made our small, rundown house feel like home.
I won’t miss calling this place home, even though that’s what it is and always will be. UW-Madison has given me friends for life, a major and career path I’m passionate about, and memories that I will hold with me forever. Even on my worst days, I have felt content because I know that this campus is exactly where I was meant to be.
A very small part of me wishes all of the above were true, because then maybe that would make leaving this place a little easier. Or maybe the reality is that I won’t miss these things because they’re not going away. I may be leaving Madison, but the memories and the Badger family I found here will always be with me. Thank you for an amazing four years UW-Madison, and on Wisconsin.