What I like most and least about Carolina

I will gladly tell anyone that the best thing at Carolina is the school spirit. I’m sure every school has spirit, however, here the energy can sometimes seem surreal.

I'm a Tar Heel born
I'm a Tar Heel bred
And when I die
I'm a Tar Heel dead

I first heard these words at my first Carolina football game. As I stood there in Kenan Stadium, I realized that I was just one amongst a sea of Carolina blue. As we all sung in unison, it seemed as if we were truly one voice. It was at the game, that I realized just how intense the school spirit was. Since then, I will gladly tell anyone that the best thing at Carolina is the school spirit. I’m sure every school has spirit, however, here the energy can sometimes seem surreal.

One of the reasons that I love the school spirit here is that I’m just not used to it. School spirit at my high school was practically nonexistent. When I stepped onto the campus of UNC, I realized that I had become a part of a brand new family. I can go anywhere in this world, meet another Carolina student or alumni, and automatically feel connected to them. At any given sports event, I find myself giving a high five to someone I wouldn’t have ever dreamed of talking to before the game. It’s all about the infectious magic of the Tar Heel.

A common misconception is that our school spirit is attributed solely to our athletics. Although athletics do a play a big role, there is much more to UNC than what meets ESPN. For one, we have an excellent quality of education. Many people have pride in our school because it is simply a great place to learn with exceptionally high academic standards. In some ways, this is a double-edged sword.

This leads me to what I like least about Carolina . Much like any other accredited university, this is a school where you’re really going to work for grades that may be consistently lower than the high marks you may have earned in high school. There have been many times in which the work has piled up, and I have gotten overwhelmed.

At any other school, I could just transfer when the times get hard. However, I’m in love with this school so much that I’m forced to work harder than I ever have before just so I can stay with my new Carolina family. As much as I may complain now, this will benefit me in the future. Later, as I hang my Carolina Degree on the wall of my law office, I will know that I have truly become a Tar Heel born and bred.