What do you remember from your days in college? Everyone has a different experience. Some people love college, some people dread it, some people got a lot out of it, and some people didn’t. When you look back, what’s the first thing you see? Your classes? Your teachers? A college job? Maybe you think of the friends you hung out with or that one time at a bar?
My college experience wasn’t anything to write home about. Admittedly, I hardly enjoyed it. My first couple weeks were rough. I spent my weekends visiting the nearby zoo. I couldn’t tell you–without looking–what classes I took. And, I have no idea what the names of my professors were. When I think back, I think about the times I spent in my dorm or apartment. I think about the shows I watched and the games my friends and I played together. Whether it was nearing midnight and we’re playing Pokemon Go in the pouring down rain on campus or we’re all huddled in the dorm surviving Call of Duty Zombies.
When my friends weren’t around, I spent my time watching TV shows. I can tell you the exact series that I–might have–obsessed over. Star Trek Voyager, The Flash, Arrow, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow. They were all shows that helped me escape from the homework and testing and stressful anxiety of college life. Some people go on benders. College life is known for frat and sorority parties. Get that college experience by getting drunk. I preferred hanging out in my room and being inspired by the impossible happening in the shows I watched. There were a lot of days where college felt impossible.
I’ll always be grateful to the creators and everyone else who made those shows possible. I’m grateful for the memorable characters and the high stakes plot lines. For the laughs and the lightheartedness. For the hope and light that they brought.
It’s not your traditional college experience, but it was still a good one.
nikki diekemper 