Madison as The Big City

Classes started this week here in Madison, and just like I have every year since what seems the dawn of time (but in reality is only for about the last 6 years), I made the phone call I make every year to inaugurate the beginning of school and fall. It goes like this:

Me: "Hey Dad/Mom, how is it going?"
Parent: banter
Me: "You know, I really hate college students. Or at least their invasion of campus. Kind of ironic really."
Parent: "You say that every year."
Me: "I know, its TRUE every year!"

For the record, I don't REALLY hate undergraduates. My long term career goal of being a college professor would be ridiculous if I did. What I do strongly dislike though is their invasion of campus sidewalks, streets, parking spots, grocery stores, etc. This phone call almost always takes place while I am trying to get somewhere one campus, and am finding it difficult through the throngs of UGs hurdling themselves in front of my car. (No, I do not want to have a discussion about my cell phone usage while driving. I assure you I am very safe in that regard.)

This year though, while trying to get OFF campus after braving the UW Bookstore for the first time (woohoo), I was struck by the thought that, for many of these "kids", living in Madison will be their "big city life" living experience. That, in fact, for many of them the size and "urban-ness" of Madison may be not only frightening, but just as foreign and awe-inspiring as say New York city would be for me. Now, before you start laughing at me. Consider that large parts of WI and MN are still extremely rural. High rises, 4 lane one way streets, metro transit, crime, these are all things many students did not grow up with. With the prevelance of movies I have no doubt they realize Madison is not a huge city, but the experience of it I bet is equally as overwhelming for them.

This recognition came to me while I was at a rather busy intersection at the heart of campus, which also happens to be in downtown Madison. The "Urban Campus" is a new experience for me, and I have to admit has some interesting quirks. At that moment, while surrounded by "high rises", and trying to turn onto a 4 lane, one way street, WHILE avoiding other cars, buses, bikers, and HUNDREDS of University students, it occurred to me that this was trickier driving than city driving in Chicago. Which struck me as sort of odd, and it is the students that make it tricky. Bikes are a way of life in Madison, so one learns quickly to ALWAYS look in the right hand mirror before turning right, or moving over, which I did anyway, but not as dilligently. However, the "invincibility" feeling of the standard undergrad comes through in all sorts of frightening ways when they traverse campus. For one, older bike riders know that they are harder to see, and that they need to watch out for cars turning right as much as the cars need to look out for them. Young bike readers seem to miss this little dual responsibility. Likewise, pedestrians in Chicago, or older pedestrians in Madison, recognize that while pedestrians have the right of way, they also need to watch out for vehicles. Students seem to not only have no respect for vehicles, but an active desire to challenge them! Strong in the knowledge that it would be the drivers fault if anything happened. This, plus the insane 5:00 traffic on the major thoroughfares of Madison makes for some seriously hair raising driving. No matter how many times you check mirrors, look over your shoulder, and check that you have the right of way, a hurdling student (or bike, or moped) could come flying out from any direction at any time!

At that moment, at that intersection, I felt that overwhelmed, "too many variables!", "too much input", sort of feeling, and it reminded me of what many students must feel like for the first week or two when they first come to Madison. Though my theory is that they are the students who actually LOOK both ways before crossing the street... :)

Happy School Year all! To those who are starting another year on the path of formal education, life-long learning, or otherwise; as well as those who just prefer to think about all the fun they had as children, and the smell of fresh #2 pencils. 'Tis the season for growth, and cause for celebration. At least in my little world. :)

(ps - This doesn't mean I don't reserve the right to complain about classes being in session. I mean, I was assigned 300 pages of reading for the first week, and haven't even had one of my classes yet. For you scoffers out there, not all 300 pages are created equally. How I yearn for fiction and textbooks! ;-) )