Life at Central Washington University

It was winter break of 2017 and I was staying in Columbus, Ohio with my family. My dad and I were making our stop into the local bike shop per usual. As we were looking at apparel, I received an email from Central Washington University (CWU).

As I read the first heading, I was overwhelmed with relief. My application was accepted and I was on my way to becoming a Wildcat. After visiting the campus a few times, I knew where I was gonna end up for the next four years.

My next step was moving. I had moved before with my family but it was finally time to be alone. I wrote my name and room number on all of my bins and made way to Barto Hall. Barto was a very active dorm, with the most students at the time. I made acquaintance with my neighbors and made a few friends along the way. Beyond playing video games in my room or ping pong in the lounge, I enjoyed being outside the most. I loved the brisk walks to class as I observed how other students acted.

My power of observation was my best tool for adapting. I did what other students did. Listened to music on the way to class, picked up a red bull from the surc, and smiled as I caught someone's glance.

As a whole, CWU is a pretty basic college experience. There are some aspects that are unique and a lot have to do with the location. Ellensburg is a small but friendly town, so it closely paralleled my hometown.

Its geographic features are quaint and pretty, and the sights are neat. One place I love is the water tower. Officially it is known as "Craig's Hill" but the water tower on top is the most dominant feature. You can drive your car up to the cliff and watch over Ellensburg like a vigilante in the night. It is very calming and a great place to watch a sunset.

Irene Rinehart Park is also a popular Ellensburg destination. It is known to students as "The Pond" or "People's Pond" due to the body of water the park lies next to. This is a prime location for people to get together on a sunny day and watch people venture into the murky water. If you're brave enough, there is even a rope swing on the far side of the water. Beyond the communal aspect of the pond, the trail to get to it is very pretty. It rides next to the Yakima River and it's a great spot to go geocaching.

One thing I love about Ellensburg is how close everything is to campus. The farthest you have to drive to get food is maybe 8 minutes, depending on the time of day. Downtown Ellensburg is fun to drive through and it feels like an old-western town gone modern.

The seasons in Ellensburg are interesting as well. Spring turns to summer quick, and fall turns to winter even faster. If you're lucky, you'll get just the right amount of snow to make everything look pretty. If not, you'll end up with a snow apocalypse or a slushy road mess.

Beyond the sights and seasons, life at CWU is overall very enjoyable. While free time might be hard to spend, it is an amazing experience nonetheless. Professors are mainly great and class discussion provides great insight for life. I have learned so much while feeling like my degree is easily achievable.

After I finish my undergrad, I plan to stay at Central to get my masters in the Information Technology & Administrative Management program. As I shift my mentality to becoming an Ellensburg 'local,' I hope my satisfaction remains the same. However, being a local does not mean I am acclimated to the incredibly strong wind. On more than one occasion, the wind has straight up knocked me over.