All I could think about was taking a shower. As my right leg bounced rhythmically alongside the continuous back-and-forth tapping of my pen between my fingers, all I could think about was those yellowing ceramic tiles and the light water pressure.
While it may seem unpleasant, those shower stalls were something worth fighting for. Therefore, as soon as the clock struck nine and our nightly session came to an end; I took off as fast as I could to ensure I could take a shower before dorm checks.
I arrived in East Shaw Hall at Michigan State University in the early afternoon of Jul. 20. Days before, I had received an email detailing my living situation for the next four nights. I was set to room with Arrow Editor-in-Chiefs Kara Boice and Anna Brown in a triple dorm.
We texted excitedly back and forth. “Who’s bringing a fan” and “do you guys have extension cords” are common questions that summarize the MIPA [Michigan Interscholastic Press Association] summer journalism workshop packing experience. I agreed to bring a small fan to save outlet space since our room would be an oscillating and box-fan galore!
I received my dorm key and began the hike to the third floor; a duffel bag stuffed to the brim in one hand and an over-sized tote bag with my blanket overflowing out of it in the other.
Anticipating an airy and bright environment, I joyfully unlocked the door and turned the handle. My smile quickly faded. The room was dark, hot, empty, and had two beds, not three. Last minute, I had been switched out of the triple dorm and placed with someone random.
Making the best of my situation, I tried my best to find common ground with my new roommate. She was sweet and I liked her. One problem: we both had small fans, and it was hot. Suffocatingly hot.
Luckily, the classrooms the workshops took place in were air-conditioned and we would be in them for hours. Interviewing peers, connecting with students in publications from all over the world, and developing published articles made up for any inconsistencies but that’s not all.
Toes in the sand with sharp blades of grass itching my ankles, I cheered for my classmates relentlessly while they competed in the MIPA volleyball tournament. In the evening, my classmates would cheer for me and others while we competed in trivia. The feeling of exhilaration was unmatched.
After hours of socializing, standing up in auditoriums full of people interviewing panelists, and walking at least 10,000 steps a day across campus, it was finally recreation time. Now, all those classmates I cheered on soon became my competition.
Scrambling to unlock my dorm, gripping my plastic shower caddy in one hand while my toothpaste toppled onto the floor, rushing to take my socks off and attempting to slip into my slides without tripping: I gunned it for the restroom, passing a large roach that was camouflaged into the carpet.
I quickly ran into the stall and began to set down my necessities. I never failed to beat the shower rush.
Hot, sweaty, and fun. If I was asked to describe the MIPA summer workshop experience, those would be my words of choice. What may turn others away made those five days even more memorable. Scarce water pressure and roaches considered, I’d sign up again in a heartbeat.
