Last winter I was given a job opportunity that I couldn’t pass up, and with this job opportunity came sacrifices. One of the largest for me was knowing I’d have to stay in Marquette for the whole summer. This meant I was seven hours away from everyone that I love and hadn’t seen for months during the winter semester.
Despite this, I took the job, and I stayed in Marquette—a place I had only known as my home for a portion of the year.
I felt a jumble of emotions. On one hand, I was sad that I’d be away from the most important people in my life and, of course, my cats. On the other hand, I was excited to see what Marquette had to offer when the town wasn’t congested with the NMU student population.
Now that my summer in Marquette has passed and I can look back at my experiences, I can’t believe there was ever a doubt in my mind about staying here.
The comparison between the town when there’s students and when there’s not is a night and day difference.
Roads are less congested, you don’t worry about seeing people you know in Walmart and you don’t have to wait to be seated at restaurants (or at least not as long).
Remember when you were visiting NMU or were here for freshman orientation and they said the views in Marquette were unmatched? They weren’t kidding.
Living here is so much different when you don’t have classes, homework or exams to worry about. Taking a hike can take your mind off things, but sometimes taking a hike with nothing on your mind is even better. That’s something you can’t experience while you’re taking classes at NMU. But if you live in Marquette, it’s something that’s easily accessible.
As an upperclassman, I’ve gotten my fair share of Marquette and NMU campus life, and I thought I had explored every crack and crevice this town had to offer. Which is partially why I was hesitant to stay.
Exploring this summer taught me something valuable. When you think you know all about something, just know you don’t; you only know it from the lens you viewed it from the first time.
This whole time I was making assumptions based on how I saw things as a student, but as an adult with a full time job, no homework and a house to go home to, it’s incredible how different you see things.
So if you get the chance to stay the summer in Marquette, do it. For those renting off campus, if you’re contemplating finding a summer sub leaser because you’re renting a year long lease, try it out for one summer. Just know if it’s not for you, you don’t have to stay here for the rest of your life.
Just know, it’s a lot more fun walking to the bar in Marquette when its not sub zero and you know you can take a quick dip in the lake on the way home if you prepare and bring a towel.
