Ode to the Residential College

Ode to the Residential College

Excited to move in?  I’ll say we were not.

But since we must, we gave it a shot.

A room to ourselves was a nice surprise,

As we spent our time becoming more wise.

Vanities- private baths, much different now,

‘Hardwood floors, fridges, a definite wow!

Back in the dorm one more time.

A do over of college- how sublime.

The rooms stay muggy and humid all day,

At night still damp and cold they stay.

Surprised we were when the laptops were given,

This college life is one worth relivin’

Nights filled with laughs in to the late,

We laugh because our studies can wait,

Wait for us -to have dinner talks together,

Talks about life, love, and even the weather.

The Fab Four or Five were always ready to go,

The FuddyDuddies kept things on the down low,

Our group is a mix from all walks of life,

Rich districts and even some filled with strife,

We’ve collaborated together night after night,

In study rooms equipped with energy efficient light,

We were given a challenge within the first day,

To stay focused-stay fit- keep our weight at bay.

It seems the stressed have a tendency to eat,

We can’t fall fat- we are the elite.

The mornings began early with runs, jogs, and walks.

And as educators do we talked, talked, and talked.

Our classes were spent learning the theory,

Powerpoints were watched till eyes were bleary

Our home away from home welcomed our naps,

Each night we read until we collapsed.

To our cars we went when the fire drill sounded,

As workloads increased and even mounded.

The faces have changed since freshman year,

I’ll cry nonetheless I’ll shed a tear.

When the day comes to say our goodbyes,

And laugh and remember that time really flies.

The Barksdales-thank you for all you have done,

Tuition, books, opportunity- we really have won

Our challenge is great as we are sent out,

Will we succeed? There is no doubt.

Our professors have faith in what we can do,

We are the brave, the proud, the few.

This cohort of teachers- friends we have made

These ties to each other will never fade

Our year is planned and placements set,

A dorm stay a month is what we will get,

We’ll come back to campus for class time and again,

Kim, Courtney, Matt, Felicia, Patrick, Morgan, Cody and Ben

The coursework will change and even get rough,

Balancing life can sometimes be tough,

Our Mission-To take Mississippi Leadership by storm,

And remember our days and nights we spent in the dorm.

Felicia Pollard