I had recently visited Syracuse this past Monday to sign my lease and retrieve my keys for my upcoming move to the city. The excitement was at a complete high from the time that I made it up there to the time that I got back on the Greyhound and left. In my travel boredom, I went on Facebook to browse and learned that:
Syracuse University is the top party school in the nation.
Initially, my response to this was of total shock. I fully understood prior to applying to Syracuse that the school did have a reputation of being a school that has great parties. Never did I imagine that it was the kind of party school to make it on someone’s top 10 list. I am not really familiar with party schools so I did wonder: what does that mean in comparison to the academic success of the institution? Does it discredit the academic capabilities and successes of the institution?
I almost thought that to be the case when I read Chancellor Kent Syverud’s response to the party school status of SU. What concerned me about his post was the idea being that because Syracuse is known for their parties, it is no longer a school that is about working to their academic excellence. I later came across a response to Chancellor Syverud’s post which sought to reaffirm the true intentions of Syracuse students which is to “Work Hard, Play Hard.”
To sort of move away from the disagreements that the ranking caused, I want to think more about what it would mean for someone like myself to attend a party school for graduate study. As I previously mentioned, I am currently going through a job search to develop myself professionally as well as academically and if I do find that I get a graduate position or a full-time position, I would find that my spheres are going to change. While I believe in personal and social enjoyment and having a good time, I most equally believe in leading by example.
My goal for my first year of graduate school, while the ranking story is still fresh, is to find BALANCE. I want to attain balance in maintaining my academic success, my professional development, and my social development. I will be in an new environment so I do want to be comfortable and entertained by what the area has to offer.
Thankfully I don’t have to wonder too much about things to do in Syracuse because one of the students in the program so greatly created a blog called 365ThingsSyracuse, which showcases fun activities that happen and places to go each day in the city.
With this post I leave you all with my thoughts:
- Perception is reality but that doesn’t always mean it’s negative. I still believe that Syracuse University is a great school and I would stand by my stance and say that no school ranking is going to change or alter the experiences that I intend to have at the institution.
- Life’s a Party! Don’t forget to live a little. Go out with your friends, dance, sing, drink, eat, laugh, be merry!
- Remember the purpose of your #SAGrad experience. Parties and social events will always be there but make sure you are putting just as much energy into your classes and your assistantship/internship/job.
> BONUS <
Podcast With Mehtap Donuk on #SAFit Tips for the Modern SA Pro
