Photoa by Eden Anyabwile
As a transfer junior, I sometimes consider myself more privileged than four-year Covenant students. Having a perspective from another college, I feel that I can appreciate Covenant’s culture more deeply.
The halls worried me at first because I had no idea how to find anyone. My old school had a very straightforward system, naming halls things like Johnson Lower Front, Rickard Upper Middle, etc. Here, I have to memorize a million arbitrary hall names, with no logical way to figure out where places like Rowan or Blackwatch are.
Dorm life here is pretty amazing (and confusing). For example, why does Brethren dress like a monastery? Why does Catacombs operate a (literally) underground coffee shop? Why does everyone get so hype about the Late Show, which is essentially a walk through the Student Handbook? Hall life isn’t like this elsewhere. Enjoy every possible minute of it.
Maybe the best adjustment was realizing how small the campus is. While it might feel too small at times, the benefits are huge. For example, we can roll out of the Great Hall at 12:57 and be on time for a 1:00 class. We can essentially wake up at 7:50 and still hit snooze before having to get ready for our 8 a.m. Another perk of a walkable campus means I don’t have to live in constant dread of getting creamed by a longboard or bike anymore!
When it comes to rules, I was overwhelmed at first by the freedom here. For a Christian college, Covenant has practically none. We have no curfew, no dress code, open hall hours three times a week, and drinking at legal age during breaks. This is unusual for conservative schools. Bask in your freedom to wear shorts or sweatpants to class!
Let’s talk about Carter for a second. We eat lunch in a freaking castle mountain resort. I spent two years dining in an orange-and-yellow cafeteria that was probably the height of style in 1991. How can anyone complain about Chartwells when we’re literally eating in a medieval-style great hall that looks down over the mist rising off the mountains below?
Although many jokes are made about the chapel architecture, let’s appreciate the stained-glass that captures the late morning sun during chapel services, shining especially brilliantly through the figure of the ascended Christ as we sing His praises. Coming from chapel services at my old university that employed a wide range of fog machines and lights displays that easily became a stumbling block to focused worship, I hope every student here understands how uniquely beautiful Covenant’s services are.
On a more personal note, I’m grateful to everyone who said “hi” to this very shy transfer. Friends, say hello to a quiet new student, whether freshman or transfer. Chances are, they’re just insecure and overwhelmed (even if they have an angry resting face, like me). We’re the family of Christ; there’s no place for prideful divisions based on school year, place of origin, or friend group.
And brothers and sisters, don’t take this place for granted.