I grew up in a small town, just a few hours north of Bloomington, with no aspirations to go to college at all. That's right, I was going to be a rock star. By the time I hit my senior year though, I decided to take a "break" and attend IU. I'll be the first to admit--I didn't really know anything about the school, just that my honors diploma nearly guaranteed entry. Once I got in, the rest I guess is history.

As a freshman, I came in as business major and quickly realized I neither had the skills (math is a no-no) nor talent for the business world, so promptly switched to a journalism major (which didn't last either). I was a member of one of the FIGs and found myself vastly different from my compatriots in the program.

I think as freshman we are trying to find something to cling to, so in a desperate attempt to fit in, I rushed for a sorority. Huge mistake! As a non-drinker, non-smoker, and generally non-partier, anti-Abercrombie girl--I had no idea what I was getting into.

I guess the Greek system works for some, but it all ended for me one fateful day. You see, as a product of the early emo-Dashboard confessional listening crowd, I felt it was more than okay to put a couple streaks of violet in my hair. How dare I! The "sisters" turned on me instantly. I submitted my resignation that day. Individuality is not a gift, apparently.

Reunited with my music, I made new friends as a sophomore and took a folklore class completely on a whim. While I was reluctant to fully switch my major, I fell in love with the program, a program all about individuality, self exploration and understanding the human experience. I didn't switch my major until my first semester as a senior, and miraculously graduated on time.

My favorite professors at IU shaped my experience. If you're still going there, take a class with Christina Snyder. She is FANTASTIC! If I could go back to IU I would only enroll in her classes .Also professor Sue Tuohy in the Folklore department is one of the most inspired women I've ever worked with. Your experience at IU is shaped not only by those you surround yourself with, but by the professors you come into contact with.

Would I go back to IU if I could do it all again? Truthfully, I don't know. If I could undo the mistakes I made, I sure would. I met two of my best friends at IU, and others while attending school, so I suppose the experience played out as it should have.

Name: Courtney Breann Flannery
Hometown: Warsaw, IN
Degree and Major: Folklore & Ethnomusicology
Graduation Year: May 2010