Written by Erin Wood
Bradley is what students make of it. Some love it, and some hate it. A college experience is only as good as a student makes it. Some focus on the negatives—such as the shady neighborhood, mediocre food, frustrating registration process, and lack of parking—but those people don't get much out of their experience. Students who look past Bradley's flaws have a worthwile journey for the four years they're there. If you want a school where you'll get personal attention from professors, have a short walk to class, make lifelong relationships, and get a solid, reputable education, Bradley is worth looking into. But it's not for everybody. Peoria doesn't offer the big-town buzz of cabs and car horns, and Bradley doesn't have all the draws of a large state school, such as a campus bus system, a state-of-the-art library, or a football team. Students don't get gourmet meals or 500-person lectures where the professors don't take attendance. But each person must weigh what's most important to them, which makes the overall Bradley experience different through each person's eyes.
Students who choose Bradley—whether they love it or hate it—walk away with a strong education and usually a couple of good stories to go with it. The students who walk away with the best experiences are the ones who tap all the resources. They go to class, get involved in student organizations, stop by their adviser's office, and keep in touch with their professors. They attend guest lectures, go to concerts, and wear red and white and cheer on the Braves. They walk to La Bamba at 3 a.m. to get burritos, go to One World and do homework or watch traffic go by, and learn which dining halls have the best food and which dorms have the most space. They explore it all—the big things and the little things—but most of all, they take advantage of their time at Bradley and learn to appreciate the perks and try to fix the flaws. No one can do everything in college, but Bradley offers plenty of opportunities.