My College Experience

Introduction
I chose Binghamton because of its affordability. I know most high school seniors do not think of life after their four years of undergrad; but it is becoming almost a necessity to continue on with your education after your bachelor’s degree. Thus, it is extremely helpful to save as much money as you can for undergrad. Binghamton helps you do this while still getting a great education that is respected in the world. I would tell students that do not want to become involved in any sort of activities to stay away from Binghamton. Binghamton has a great amount of activities to get involved in and that is the best way to make friends.

Campus Life and Social Life
Weekends are great. They can even be long if you want them to be. You can find people at the bars basically Tuesday through Saturday nights. There is a street with a strip of about 6 bars where students go. Also, there is a good amount of Greek Life so that also provides an alternative party. However, going Greek is not a necessity at Bing. I am not involved and still socialize with fraternities and have a ton of fun. The bars are fun and Bing is big enough that even as a senior I still meet new people almost every weekend. Yet, it’s small enough that I know a great deal of people when I am out. You'll always recognize faces at the bar. A good amount of students party but we are by no means a party school. Sports also provide a fun activity for the weekends. Basketball games are a blast. My friends and I went to almost every one and had a great time always. It is also a great place to see people as a lot of people attend weekend games. Sports teams also are a fun social organization and often have parties at their houses on weekends, which are fun too----and often a nice break from Greek Life. Academics
The workload can get pretty heavy at times. Professors are extremely available. I have never not been able to get in touch with or meet with a professor when I wanted to. Professors also often give home numbers and do not get angry when you call. Professors here are great for the most part. I am a history major and I love my department. It is expanding more into areas that I like and I am sad I am leaving and am not going to be able to take these new classes with new professors.

Student Body
Students are mostly from "downstate" (Long Island, the city, Westchester, and Rockland). However, I have a TON of friends from upstate, so one does not really feel the divide. There is no typical student at Binghamton. There is a place for every type of kid to fit in. Whether you're a party animal or a bookworm, it is likely you will find your place at Bing. Also, we are extremely diverse, not just racially, but internationally. One night out at the bars at Bing I hung out with my Brazilian and Scottish friends and was in a cab with two Turkish students on the way back to campus. I love that I am always learning about different cultures.

In Closing...
Binghamton is a great place to find yourself as a person and grow up (believe it or not that's what college ends up being about- I am a sappy senior graduating in 9 days). There are so many diverse groups of people and organizations it is easy to get involved in something you never thought you'd do. Also, Bing has great study abroad opportunities that you only pay SUNY tuition for. My family does not have a lot of money and I was able to go to London for a semester and not be in debt and have the time of my life. A large majority of Binghamton students study abroad and this is great. It opens your eyes to the world and makes you a more understanding, accepting, well-rounded student. I will always love Binghamton University for giving me the opportunity to go abroad and see Europe. It changed my life.