My time spent at UW-Platteville is something I would not trade for the world. Yeah, we don’t have the greatest of things around here, but it’s what we do with what we have that makes the journey worthwhile. It’s what we do with our friends everyday that makes life interesting.

My friends and I have definitely been in stories that involve drinking, nudity, road trips, kleptomania, late night talks, partying, the police, hanging out, shenanigans and rock concerts. Those times won’t be forgotten; it’s the times we don’t talk about that will be lost forever. The weekly things I do are what I’ll miss most. Sunday movie nights and Wednesday lunch are weekly favorites that I will miss when I am out of here. Though we see something new and talk about something new every week, Sunday and Wednesday won’t be the same for our small little group of friends.

I hope the remaining people will keep the traditions alive, but I hope that other people are beginning new ones. For being in school for more than five years, I’ve seen a lot of traditions come and go. Homecoming has been a big tradition for UW-P, but I’ve seen the enthusiasm decline the last few years from everyone. Feb Follies used to be a traditional winter celebration of events, but lack of participation extinguished the program. Now late-night Chinese food sold from the back of the restaurant is being replaced by 2 a.m. subs and burritos. Traditional midnight donut runs to the local bakery have disappeared.

All the fun things I’ve had the chance to enjoy are slowly vanishing. I miss the campus cable channel playing recently released movies and going to watch more movies in the Little Doudna Theater. I miss those days hanging out on and near campus; having the luxury of a big movie but with all the comforts of home. Seems like anything that is fun is being pushed away from campus. Though there has been a valiant effort put on for alternatives to going out and partying, I just don’t think some of the events have been worthwhile. The events just don’t seem to be appealing enough to get an 18 or 19 year-old to them and even harder to appeal to a thirsty 21 year-old.

The only thing I’ve seen from the students, as a constant tradition is people getting all dressed up to go out and have a wild time every week, only to get groped or to grope others. Some students wonder why their grades suffer. Though that trend will still happen, it’s still all right to go do something else. You’re only limited to as far as your imagination will take you. You’re not inclined to go do what everyone else is doing because it’s the cool thing to do.