Walker Hall, the notorious, main first-year dorm, is renowned around campus as a sucky but necessary part of coming to OCU.
Almost every first-year student lives in Walker and becomes acquainted with its quirks – including its sad excuse for a laundry room and often out of order elevators.
Yet, I chose, as an upper-class student, to move into Walker mid-semester to fill a resident assistant vacancy.
I lived in Banning Hall during my first year so this was my first time living in Walker. Perhaps it is that factor that makes this living situation so bearable because truthfully, I love living in Walker.
When I left my room in Methodist, I was in a double with a vacancy in the other room, so I had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room and kitchenette all to myself.
As an RA, I still have my own bedroom and bathroom, but I lose the luxury of the extra space.
However, because of the common lobby, I feel almost no difference.
The greatest joy of living in Walker Hall for me is the sense of community.
By having only one entryway in and out of the building you are bound to cross paths with people you know.
To reach any bedroom, you must first cross the central lobby.
There is always the opportunity to interact with your peers if you so choose, nowhere else on campus has that level of intimate interaction daily.
Even if you do not stay and hang out in the lobby, forced proximity means passing your classmates and friends in the hallway and even those quick waves or hellos make this place feel more inviting.
I love being so close to everyone, just an elevator ride away.
The decorated floors build an ambiance and feeling of fun that elevates the space.
Something about being here just feels more like college.
Methodist and Cokesbury are fantastic housing options, but they feel so much like adulthood.
Personally, I love the feel of a dorm. I love that I have my own space when I want but I spend most of my time outside it.
Between class, rehearsal, student organizations and friends, I so often feel short on time yet the desire to capitalize on every moment of the “college experience” makes Walker Hall feel almost romanticized.
Yes, the water pressure in my unrenovated bathroom is not ideal and occasionally the fire alarm goes off but mostly, but I recognize that rarely in life do we have the pleasure and privilege of creating friends from pure chance.
Living in Banning last year, I did not realize how isolated I was from the greater population of my peers. But being in Walker now, I understand the energy that pulsates from this little dormitory.
Walker is so much more than a tiny twin bed – it is about the experience of living with the people you work with and the convenience of growing up and going through life together.
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