In the quiet of my suburban home over break, I had the opportunity to do lots of thinking. There is nothing like a month at home with few scheduled obligations and inconsistent responsibilities to bring out the inner philosopher in everyone. Although my mind tends to wander from topics like “What will I be doing in five years?” to “I can’t believe Tristan Thompson cheated on Khloe Kardashian … again,” I also found myself considering what is most important to me at Boston College. And after one particularly contemplative afternoon over Winter Break, I came to the conclusion that, because of this year, Walsh Hall will always hold a special place in my heart. Below, I’ve briefly summarized all the reasons why I just love Walsh so much.
The Community of Walsh
Let’s be honest, no one chooses to live in Walsh for the stellar on-campus living accommodations. But, people do choose to live in Walsh for the community environment. When friends from home ask me to describe my living situation at BC, I have come to respond with “I live in an eight-story frat house,” which I feel accurately encapsulates both the community spirit and general living conditions of the typical quad or eight-man. Whether it’s living with your closest friends or meeting new people across the hall, something about that brick building just inspires camaraderie. There is something special about the way you can be having the worst day of your BC career, but you still get to come home to a common room full of smiling faces and maybe an episode of the Bachelor or two. Better yet, there is nothing like telling a BC alum that you live in Walsh and having them automatically respond, “What floor!?” Even decades out of college, people are still curious as to who is living in their beloved suite.
Walsh is Quirky
On any given day, the residents of Walsh include 800 sophomores, 16 RA’s, two RD’s, one dog, one baby, and an undisclosed number of rats. There is truly a peculiar, and most certainly memorable, ambiance created by old air vents, peeling dark teal and rust orange paint, and the occasional water-stained ceiling tile. Sometimes, if you listen closely, you can hear the elevators make faint, curiously concerning noises that more often than not are chalked up to “normal wear and tear” in order to avoid taking the stairs for the rest of the semester. Although these less than desirable characteristics make Walsh sound more like a safety hazard than a highly sought–after sophomore dorm, they are simply part of the quirky charm that makes Walsh so special. Oh, and don’t forget about the LED light show that occurs every day from dusk until dawn for all of lower campus to see, famously dubbed BC’s own “Northern Lights.” Who wouldn’t want to live in a building that truly does it all?
Walsh and the Class of 2024
On a more sentimental note, for me and the other members of the class of 2024 that are lucky enough to call Walsh home, it represents all of the ways this school year is wildly different from last year. Coming to college in the middle of the pandemic only to be more or less confined to our dorm rooms was a far cry from the traditional college experience. But this year, in the halls of Walsh, we get to do everything we couldn’t last year. From simply spending time with your floormates—shoutout Walsh 6—to socializing with your 24 closest friends, the BC experience actually feels like the one we were originally promised. With the onset of the spring semester, it makes me sad to think that in only a few short months I’ll have to pack up my things and vacate my Walsh eight-man forever. I feel lucky, however, to have spent my sophomore year in a building, and with a community, that I will truly never forget.
Featured Graphic by Liz Schwab/ Heights Editor
