Aloof, dissatisfied and plotting revolt, these brave students stand steadfast and stubborn. Unwilling to move, the students reprove the mail clerk who dared to blunder. Now, villain! What have you to say about these queues, the likes of which we all refuse? Is there any punishment that you do not deserve? We have been waiting here a full 15 minutes, the nerve!
From the hellacious stairs to ominous morning classes, the thing we dread most are lines like molasses. Tell me, O Muse, of brighter days when the campus was flat and precious energy was saved. We dare not speak of the Caf this week; I waited so long my legs grew weak! Woe unto me, by God, we must expose the evils of this treacherous case. Who among us will cleanse this odious place?
OK, so maybe that’s a stretch, but come on? You can’t tell me you haven’t witnessed, or participated in, one of these extraordinary lamentations about the perceived atrocities of our university — because God forbid it isn’t picture perfect. The usual suspects range from the proximity of the SAC or CCB to one’s oceanfront dorm room recently made a victim of tripartition to the quality of food in the cafeteria. Simply put, it’s always something.
Admittedly, I too have had days where even the 180-degree ocean view, picturesque greenery and perfect weather were not enough to bate my contentious spirit, eager to identify anything in which to find fault, but no matter what, I always find myself acknowledging that this university truly has my best interests at heart. And it is this sentiment that makes me question the constant complaints of college students who, in many respects, are either 1) far too entitled or 2) far too ungrateful.
Think about it. Students on campuses all across the nation are feeling the full impact of our nation’s economic dilemma. Take, for example, the California State University system that was forced to reduce enrollment severely for spring 2013 in light of recent budget cuts, and further, to mark enrollment for the following fall as uncertain pending the outcome of certain tax initiatives to be voted on come November. This means thousands of students will be forced to figure out an alternative choice of schools (an option not readily available to many), or they will roll the dice, enter the job market and pray for a miracle.
In addition to the students who won’t be attending the Cal State of their choice, note also the students who already attend these schools who are in jeopardy of losing their spots due to finances, or seniors who will not be able to graduate in a reasonable amount of time due to overcrowded classrooms and understaffed departments–the result of this being additional, unexpected financial burden. And that is just Cal States.
While I do not deny that we as Pepperdine students have our fair share of problems, I am denying that we have the right to complain as much as we tend to. Our classes are not overcrowded, our departments are not understaffed, and the food isn’t THAT bad-not to mention we live in Malibu. Basically, what I’m trying to say is, forget about the inconvenience of parking in Firestone for five seconds and realize that we really are “so blessed,” whatever that means.
