Today marks the almost-end to my final academic semester at Kutztown University. It’s been a long, exciting and difficult two years, but as much as I am excited to finish college, I know that a year from now I will wish I was back.

I honestly believe that deciding to transfer to KU over two years ago was one of the smartest decisions I have ever made. However, I wouldn’t go so far as to quote those obnoxious advertisements that pose a student’s head with the words “The best choice I ever made.” I reserve that title to seeing Mumford & Sons in concert or buying that cute blue polka-dot bikini in January. But if I hadn’t transferred here, I would still be drowning among the Axe body spray and guidos of Long Island.

As much as people love to complain about Kutztown and our school’s habit of getting on the news for more armed robberies than accomplishments, a lot of my friends and peers love going to KU and spending time in the community. Main Street might not have the most exciting stores and restaurants, but if you can’t afford to travel far for a good bite to eat or a cold beer on the weekend, you always know that Main Street is there.

KU may not be as well-known as Pennsylvania State University or Harvard, but the professors in a variety of majors have just the experience that their students are looking for. When it comes to college, the tuition cost does not determine the value of your education. Adelphi University, my first school, cost $30,000 per year. KU’s tuition is approximately $8,500 per year. My two years of AU compared to my final two years here, I would say that I received the same experience and opportunities from my professors over the past four years.

I believe that your experience in college is what you choose to make of it. If students are saying that they can’t find things to do on campus on the weekends, then they really aren’t looking hard enough. From my personal experience, there is always a party to find, a movie to watch, or a board game to play with friends. Some nights might be slower than others, but you should always have something to look forward to.

Leaving KU behind is bittersweet for me. While I’m not graduating until December, I will spend the majority of the fall in Allentown working for The Morning Call. It’s going to be a lot different from my time spent at The Keystone, but I’m excited to bring what I have learned over the past couple of years to a more renowned paper.

With that, I say good-bye to the “What Really Grinds My Gears” readers and the KU community. I hope you have enjoyed reading what pisses me off week after week. I know I have more than enjoyed getting my opinions out into the KU world.

By Mary Pickett