My freshman year was spent in the dorms studying away to make sure that I could get the highest GPA possible. Needless to say, I thought Homecoming was something that only took place in high school. I’m willing to admit I didn’t even find out about Homecoming taking place on campus until weeks after when a friend brought it up in casual conversation. 

Over the semesters, I have gone through the trials of life as most fellow college students do. One experience that started my sophomore year was my active involvement in partaking in Homecoming affairs, Lip Sync being the one competition that I fell in love with.

Needless to say, I made a vow to myself to never miss a Lip Sync competition while attending the university. True to this vow, I experienced two amazing lip sync competitions for the next two years.

However, that was to change this semester. I am a graduating senior and one of my main goals is to not only graduate, but experience college to the fullest. However, this semester I missed every event involved with Homecoming due to tests and papers being due the Monday and Wednesday after Homecoming Week.  

I understand that professors can’t schedule every test around the Homecoming schedule, but I also think that the university should to the best of their ability schedule Homecoming around a time that is not the week before the drop date. Teachers are notorious for wanting one final grade in before that drop date. Yes, this may be to help the student figure out if they need to drop the class or not, but most students understand the need to study for any test. I have heard some students say, “Just study on the weekend or after the Homecoming game.” I would love to have been able to do this, but I had to take off of work just to ensure that I was able to keep needed grades. One of the hardest parts of studying over participating in Homecoming was how I am friends, or at least acquaintances, with most of the people in CSA. They won my favorite competition and did it as a stand-alone group. 

All this being said, I feel like as a graduating senior, the university failed at accomplishing something more than an education; an unforgettable experience that one day I could have shared with my children about my alma matter. 

Sadly, it will be extremely difficult to come home for Homecoming after I graduate because my mind will immediately focus on how I had to study during Homecoming and miss what I looked forward to most about last week, Lip Sync.