3.4 Maureen Brandl Writing 1

Leaving for La Crosse

I had wanted to go to UW-La Crosse since I fell in love with it my freshman year of high school after staying on campus for the state track meet. I had been so convinced that La Crosse was the next chapter in my life, that it was the only school I applied to. I was 18 and a fierce mixture of confidence and naivety, craving to get out in the world. Moving out was a pivotal moment that in a way, felt like crossing over a tangible like that distinguished childhood from adulthood.   

It was a long three-hour drive to La Crosse. I was uncomfortably smushed in the passenger seat under a Nike gym bag with my feet on top of my “new-to-me" microwave. I couldn't wait to get out of the car until we pulled into the parking lot and I saw the complete chaos that was happening outside of Laux Hall, my new home. I couldn’t fathom the amount of people and things that were moving into a singular building. I was from a town of 500 people after all. 

My mom couldn’t stay long because she had to go home and help with barn chores so I was left to my own devices while everyone else’s parents seemed to linger, putting off goodbyes. I kept my door open per my RA’s advice, trying to monitor who I’d be sharing a hallway and bathroom with for the next year.  

I sat on my bed, staring at the empty half of the room, as my randomly assigned roommate was yet to move in. As my level of anxiety grew, so did my level of hunger. I contemplated if I was brave enough to ask someone on my floor if they would like to eat with me, or if I was brave enough to go get food alone. My internal debate was quickly disrupted when I felt someone plop onto my mattress next to me.  

It was the tall blonde girl who had been moving into the room directly across the hall. We held a brief pause, and I could feel our nervous energy colliding. A rush of hilarity ensued from nowhere as the silence broke with our awkward laughter, which then turned into real laughter, and finally lead to introductions. We ended up getting dinner that night, and every night after that. She is still one of my best friends to this day.