Online responses to "Richmond students are not classy" by Haley Swinson

By Andrew W

Nov. 17, 2008

College is supposed to be about having fun. Who are you to judge people by how they choose to have fun? When I went to Richmond, some of the hardest working, most mature kids I knew would go to class/study/work off-campus jobs during the week, all in the hopes of being able to go to a lodge party, drink with their friends and possibly find a member of the opposite sex to go home with. Again, these "immature" people as you have so broadly labeled them are now working on Wall Street as financial analysts, on Capitol Hill for congressmen and women, attending Law School at some of the best schools in the country, analyzing health care policy for non-profits, the list goes on. These are the classless, immature faux-Ivy Leaguers of which you speak with such disdain.

You know, this article was sent to me by a friend with whom I engaged in such immature, classless behavior. I was a bit angry and upset as the university I knew and loved has changed drastically since my freshman year. But you know, I don't fault you. You're still just a kid. What do you know? You're just, what? A sophomore? Junior? I actually feel sorry for you. When you're out of college and looking back, what will you remember? Staying in Boatwright for hours on end? Complaining about how the people surrounding you are classless mongrels? Relax. If you don't want to be a part of the party-scene, stay in your dorm/apartment/sheltered existence.

I'm in my mid-twenties and, to be honest, I love my life. I've got a good job, live in a nice house, make a decent income and am surrounded by incredible friends. That being said, I will never, for one instant, regret a single thing I did at UR. The freedom you have while in college will never be repeated. You say college is a time to start acting like an adult? I think it's a perfect time to still enjoy being a kid. There is absolutely nothing "adult" about being in college when your biggest concerns are making it to class and deciding which flavor of Hot Pocket to buy from Edible Bites. But again, talk to me in four years when you've been out of school and are grinding in the real world. Tell me then if you wish you would've had a couple more wild nights while at UR.

By John Snow'man

Nov. 17, 2008

Think back on your experience at UR -- I mean really think back. How many times have YOU absolutely wanted to boot someone like Hayley Swinson out of UR? Who is Hayley Swinson? You know her. Same person, different name - the him/her whose life is so miserable that they are constantly striving to belittle The Gamer's, bring them down to their inconsequential level.

Sorry Hayley - Princeton, Harvard, Penn, Yale, among others, turned you down. Truth is, I, too, would have turned down an average person who aims to disqualify herself from the dominant college social scene in our country, because she is too busy dwelling/swelling to fit on Facebook.

Look, I don't know where you came from, I don't know how you grew up or how much your parents sheltered you, but regardless, college is a place to LIVE and to ESCAPE. It's time to start acting like young adults and enjoy yourself. So for God's sake, STOP BEING HAYLEY SWINSON, STOP BEING a hater and assimilate into the UR (every college) scene.

Scratch that. Be you.