Drury’s About the Little Things
Written by Madison Stahl
When you go to college, you expect to do big things. You’ll take classes with hands-on projects that make an impact on the community. You’ll find opportunities to put your learning into action, imagining yourself in your future career. You’ll join a community of learners who are motivated to earn their degrees just like you.
All those big things matter at Drury University. But for me, Drury’s also about the little things.
Drury’s the kind of place where you belong. You’ll see it when you’re sitting in Lay Hall after class, and a professor will smile at you and ask you how you’re doing. And maybe that professor is one you have regularly, but they may also be one you’ve never had. It doesn’t matter – Drury treats you like a friend, not a stranger.
There are so many things we do in our daily lives that seem unimportant. Our names, grade levels, majors – we share those with others without thinking too much about it. But they all mean something at Drury. That professor teaching your 10 am class knows not only your name, but your interests, hobbies, and career goals. What you’re learning is tailored to the students. Your time at Drury is one of the biggest steps towards your future, and the education you receive guides you there.
Drury is a place for community. Your academic interests give you a glimpse into your future career field. Students with the same interests will not only sit alongside you in class, but will also be there for you when you’re struggling. Those students will become sources of support, giving you advice when you need it or a laugh when you need a break. Outside of class, athletics, student organizations, and opportunities to work on campus make it easy to find your campus family. Your classmates, friends, professors, and anyone else you meet along the way are all part of your journey at Drury and beyond.
Sometimes, the little things at Drury are quiet, so normal that you don’t realize just how much they mean to you. It’s the joy of heading home after a long day of classes and seeing students enjoying intramurals and other activities on Sunderland Field. Other times, it’s the excitement of walking to the O’Reilly Family Event Center before a basketball game. Or maybe it’s just nature, hearing the wind in the trees and watching their leaves change color every fall. There’s so much to appreciate at Drury.
As I head towards graduation, I’m facing the big things: the final projects, presentations and portfolios, the nerves about what’s next. But I’m keeping the little things close. Like the advisor who has helped me with my academic journey since day one. My fellow students who have become friends, who encourage me and stick with me through the learning process. I’m keeping the campus, too, the buildings that know students like me and give us a home away from home. When I began four years ago, college felt like a mountain. But Drury makes it easy to value the little things, the things that keep you going and reassure that you belong.