GUEST COMMENTARY: UMSL IS FOR LOSERS

by Stephanie Ellis

The title speaks for itself. In fact, UMSL stands for University for Mentally Slow Learners. Everyone who attends UM-St. Louis is too stupid to get into any other college. There's an IQ requirement, however. UM-St. Louis is selective, but you should be okay if you have an IQ of five or above. If you want to re-experience kindergarten, you're in the right place!

Did I get your attention? I hope so, because I've got a lot to say, and none of it is as derogatory as the previous paragraph. I just repeated some myths people have spread about the school we're attending. The sad thing is, I used to believe these things until I became a student here. It's amazing how different things look when you see them with your own eyes and not someone else's.

An argument with my boyfriend about which schools are good and which aren't prompted this article. My boyfriend graduated from Washington University, which he believes to be the greatest place in the entire universe. I get fed up with his constant idolization of his school and complete scorn for mine. I transferred here last semester, and I'm so glad I did. I won't lie and say I didn't think it would be a non-challenging school. When I had my first class, I was expecting high school all over again. I was so wrong. I was up to my ears in homework, and the professors were very demanding and challenging, yet intellectually stimulating. I was feeling very foolish. I had succumbed to my own ignorance. I never thought I'd be one of those people who would believe what others say rather than finding out the truth for myself.

This was one argument my boyfriend didn't win. I told him that as a Washington University graduate, he should know better than to make false accusations. I told him when he insults my school, he's insulting me personally. I told him of everything I'd learned in eight months, of the very intelligent peers that surround me and that I'm proud to be a student at UM-St. Louis. I also told him I was wrong about this school, and he was too.

I've learned not to let my judgment be colored by false rumors. I truly feel UM-St. Louis is just as challenging and educationally beneficial as any other school. As students, we need to feel proud and appreciate what we have. We are attending a good school. If others don't agree, tell them to visit some classes and then form their opinions. The next time someone asks you what UM-St. Louis stands for, tell them it means Unbelievably Marvelous School for Learners. Then look them in the eyes and dare them to tell you otherwise.