Senior psychology major

It’s hard to believe my time in College Park is coming to an end. The past four years have taught me many things about myself, other people and the world as a whole. My undergraduate career was filled with ups and downs, but each experience influenced my development as an individual and decisions about the future. Certain events were so poignant, disturbing or out of the ordinary that I’ll remember them for the rest of my life; thus, I wish to share with you some of my most memorable experiences at this university.

I’ll start with the negatives, so as to not leave you on a sour note. During my freshman year, I remember witnessing firsthand the utter chaos that was the infamous “Route 1 Riot” after the victory over Duke. I walked out of my friend’s apartment in Allegany Hall and saw students running for their lives, screaming and crying, eyes burning red from the pepper spray the riot police were spraying.

Mounted police herded people, many of whom were heavily inebriated, away from the area; confusion and injury ensued. As a starry-eyed freshman who’d explicitly not wanted to go to a “party school” for college, I was shocked by the whole spectacle — the students’ behavior but mostly the disproportionately harsh response on the law enforcement side.

I learned a few things that night: If possible, avoid Route 1 during big sporting events; Maryland is a “party school” despite its prestige, and I’d have to accept that; and take seriously the next person who says the police are becoming overly militarized.

Now, I’ll unfortunately remember this university for the ongoing construction, as it’s been constant throughout my years here and made me want to get away from such a loud environment. Through not one single experience, but an aggregate of frustrated moments such as waking up to the sound of jackhammers and changing my routes to avoid exposed pipelines, I’ve discovered newer isn’t always better. Nature and history should be preserved, and although this university strives to improve each year, it is sometimes to the disadvantage of current students.

The Department of Transportation Services has been the source of two negative experiences that also taught me life lessons. I got a parking ticket junior year, but I actually had a permit for that lot. Instead of honoring the ticket, I went to the office the next day to sort things out; it turned out to be DOTS’ error. Lesson: Don’t blindly do what you’re told, especially if you think the other party is in the wrong.

Earlier this year I received another ticket, and the fine was ludicrous considering the seriousness of my parking violation. I followed the appeal procedures, filing a second appeal when the first wasn’t granted — I just couldn’t shell out $75 without negotiating. As a result of my persistence, all fines were dropped. Lesson: Be relentless and don’t settle without trying to defend your case.

Now for some of my more positive, memorable experiences at this university. I was among one of the first people in line to see President Obama when he came to the campus in 2009; I excitedly arrived at the Comcast Center lot before 5 a.m. That early experience gave me a taste of the vast resources and opportunities available through this large and strategically located university. I also remember performing with the women’s choir in a massive concert hall in the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center and learning the feeling of being humble, yet proud. And I’ll always remember the piles of sacrifices to Testudo, knowing that fate is the product of actions, effort and a bit of luck.

Lauren Mendelsohn is a senior psychology major. She can be reached at lmendel1@terpmail.umd.edu.