It’s that time of year; summer is over and students make the pilgrimage back to their respective universities for another semester. For me it’s two hours west on the Thruway to Geneva, NY. Geneva sits at the tip of Seneca Lake and is home to Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

The weather has yet to show signs of fall. The docks are buzzing with people swimming, sunbathing, and reminiscing about summers past. The quad smells like freshly cut grass, and is littered with old friends and new faces looking to make the most of the few weeks left before the temperature drops. Music is blasting out a dorm window, and a sense of euphoria infects the students.

            As the weather finally starts to cool off, HWS students are lucky to have the splendor of the deep blue lake juxtaposed with the burnt reds, yellows, and oranges of the local foliage. It’s cooling off, but a sweatshirt and jeans is enough to keep warm while cheering on the Statesmen during a bright, Saturday afternoon home football game.

            Sunday brings rain, but it’s ok. Sweatpants and an NFL jersey is the attire to watch football at the local dive bar. The drinks are cheap, the food is good, and the company is even better.

            The winter brings cold temperatures, and more importantly snow, lots of it. The snowbound campus is serene and peaceful. Students seek refuge in the library, cramming for finals until the wee hours.

            The weather doesn’t bother me, and I don’t care how small the town is. The friendships and camaraderie are what brings me back here year after year. My relationships with the people and places that are Geneva, have cemented my appreciation for the town. In just three short years, Geneva has come to feel like home.