My UAlbany Visit

So today I went to visit the university that I will be attending in the fall: The University at Albany!

I was really excited to take the journey there. So let me take you on the journey of my day today.

First off my mother was traveling with me, and this woman made sure I woke up on time and we got out of the house on time. I had to wake up SUPER early (4:30 in the morning) to make sure that we left the house at a quarter to 6. Our first destination was Penn Station where we would leave on an 8:15 train up to Albany.

I was really excited. For one, I have never ridden on an Amtrak Train before and I had never really traveled outside of the city much. I had only been to Boston twice, once as a baby and the second time as a 10 or 11 year-old.

Anyway, surprisingly, as early as it was, I was alert. Normally I would have been sleepy and zombie-like.

Fast forward to getting on the train. I am one for scenery and nature, so to see the Hudson River and miles and miles of trees was great for me. It was a change from just seeing concrete and high-rises.

After two hours and fifteen minutes, we arrive at the Albany-Rensselaer station and take a cab to the uptown campus. While on route to the campus, I could help but feel comfortable with knowing I’d be living in Albany for the next for years of my life. I have always been a city girl and moving to a smaller place compared to NYC was comforting.

Arriving at UAlbany’s Collin’s Circle, I was blown away. First off, the architecture was amazing. There was no greater way of being welcomed than seeing one of UAlbany’s famous fountains a few steps away from me. Secondly, the silence was so peaceful.

When applying for colleges, I knew I wanted a place that had tranquility yet a place that also was vibrant and full of life. UAlbany fit that criteria. Of course, it is the summer, so not all 18,000 students or so were there, but from what I could gather, it is a safe and warm environment.

The staff was really helpful and the tour guide was really friendly and full of information.
One of the things that really struck me about the campus was how it was designed. Everything is centrally located which makes it easy when traveling to classes and to the dorm quads. Also, the services provided at the campus were plenty and incredibly convenient.

The last stop my mother and I went to before leaving was the book store, which sold more than just books. You could fine school supplies, things for the dorms, food, and of course UAlbany sweatshirts, T-Shirts, etc. I left with a sweater, shirt, and planner.

Honestly, I have never been excited to start school, I have never been to eager to begin. This excludes high school because I was pretty excited for that since it was a performing arts school.

I can say already that I am proud to be an incoming freshman at the University at Albany. I can already feel the school spirit.