Being a student at St. Olaf College, I feel that it would be impossible to create this blog without discussing my views on the significance of the campus' location on top of a hill. Our unique location is something that we seem to take great pride in and like about our campus. Rather than asking your friends if they're back at school after break, typically one asks whether they're "back on the hill!" The hill top location is something with which we distinguish ourselves and our school. As per usual, I'm going to question this streamline mentality though and ask as to whether our location is really all that ideal. Yes, it does provide wonderful sledding and a beautiful view of the surrounding farmland and downtown Northfield, but besides that, does it serve any other benefit? Not only does it expose us to each and every wind that blows through, but worst of all, it isolates us. This may be viewed as a benefit as it allows us to create a close knit community, but at a certain point I think it can cause a bit of tension and a feeling of being trapped. It is not the easiest task to get off campus, even if you have a car (I think we can all agree that the walk to Skoglund can be a pain), and so in many ways we're limited to what is available on campus.
Prior to attending St. Olaf, I liked the fact that it was a compact campus on top of a hill, but now in my second year at the school, I find myself appreciating and envying the off-campus activities that are available to students attending schools in the cities.
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