Staff Writer Jay Shank, ’28
Give up sometimes. It’s okay to settle for “just okay.” People will tell you college is all about being the best you can be, and you might feel like everything has to be perfect, but the truth is that sometimes “just okay” IS the best you can be. If you’re still editing an assignment you’ve already edited 20 times and it’s 11:50 p.m., just turn it in. There is no time for perfection when you’re 40 assignments deep into the sixth hour of your “homework day” and you haven’t eaten since breakfast yesterday. Be willing to give up sometimes and laugh about how crappy your assignment was later.
Staff Writer Paige Kageni, ’27
Take advantage of the free things and experiences on campus! As someone who doesn’t have immediate access to transportation, I very much do recommend going to events and happenings just to take my mind off schoolwork. It can get slow on the mountain we call a campus, and it can feel like there’s nothing to do when you compare Allegheny to other places. But, I assure you, there are many gatherings, celebrations, and even social causes that you can involve yourself with to make the days more lively. Check the events board in the Campus Center and strike up a conversation with an upperclassmen or staff member to find out what events are around the corner. You never know what you might find!
Layout Editor Noell Fritz, ’27
Grow up. The most harsh and important advice in the book. Sometimes you literally just have to get over it. Learn from your mistakes, but don’t dwell on them. Be mature. Get a job and have purpose. Learn to care about more things than just yourself. No one ever wants to hear this advice but sometimes you literally just need to grow up.
“Ask Allegheny” Producer and Host Emma Conti-Windle ’27
Dance every day. There are many ways to go about this that do not actually involve joining a dance organization. I’m certainly not what you’d call a serious dancer. Although, if that is your thing, then definitely do! But if that is scary to you, dance elsewhere. Dance everywhere. Dance at the gym in between sets. Dance when something tastes good (I do this a lot). Dance in your room before you leave for class. Dance in the shower. Dance with others. Dance in class? (This is bold. I’m actually not sure about this one.) Dance in the car. Dance at parties! Dance to make other people laugh. Dance to make yourself laugh. Dance for exercise. Make your favorite people dance with you no matter how hard they try to stay still. Music is powerful, and just five minutes of movement for the sole purpose of joy can completely transform a day.
“Woes are fleeting, blows are glancing, when you’re dancing through life.” — Wicked
Opinion Editor Milo Watson, ’26
Keep a small stash of party supplies in your dorm room. No, not cheap beer and ping pong balls. I mean party hats, balloons and a small gift bag. Independence comes with plenty of responsibilities, but it also comes with the underrated freedom to decide which oCcasions are special. A short list of small milestones you may want to consider as justified grounds to gather a crowd for celebration: your friend’s first “D” or below on a college assignment, you retrieve your laundry right when the dryer cycle ends for the fifth time in a row, getting halfway through final exams, the coffee in Brooks turns out to be hot and strong at the same time, you and your roommate resolve a disagreement without inflicting hurt feelings, it starts snowing. Add your own ideas. All of these occasions tend to occur on such short notice that you won’t have time to plan festivities. Don’t miss out. Stay prepared. Throwing confetti on the reg isn’t just about shaping a rich and meaningful life for yourself—it’s also about being a good friend. Realize now that you haven’t yet learned your new friends’ birthdays.
News Editor Ben Stavnezer, ’27
Make peace with precipitation. Lake Erie does Meadville no favors whenever it rains or snows, so I say embrace the “bad” weather! Don’t forget that most of Allegheny’s students and staff walk everywhere on this small campus, so if it’s pouring rain, you definitely aren’t the only person with wet patches on your clothes. Every rainy day doesn’t have to be just another dreary waste. Making plans to stay in and watch a movie with friends on a rainy day is one of life’s greatest pleasures!
Copy Editor Joe Klepeis, ’26
You’ve come from lands far and wide, and now you’re here. Welcome! I wish you all the best in your coming years here and encourage you to explore. While Meadville itself has far more going on that one might seem, it’s also a great home base for traveling. Have a car? Willing to take a Greyhound bus? Able to get to the Amtrak station in Erie? The options are endless. From Meadville you can comfortably spend a day or a weekend in Cleveland, Erie, Buffalo, Niagra Falls (New York and Ontario), Pittsburgh and more. Even the smaller towns of Ashtabula, Warren, Titusville, Linesville, Franklin and many more are well worth popping into. As Mark Twain said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness,” so get out there and see the world around you!
Editor-in-Chief Anna Westbrook, ’26
Join The Campus! Besides the thrill of seeing your name in print every week, the Campus staff are some of the funniest and most hard-working people I know. Writing for the newspaper has also given me the excuse to interview and get to know some of the most interesting faculty, staff and students on campus. If you like being in-the-know and want to serve the Allegheny community, stop by our Contributing Writers Meetings on Mondays in the Campus Center #303 at 8 p.m.