Damiela Thomas 

1 Hawk Dr, 

New Paltz, NY 12561

dthomas19@newpaltz.edu

October 20, 2021 

Dear Mother, 

It was just yesterday you cried about leaving your one and only daughter at college where you let her go to spread her wings and soar high. I want you to know that I am doing alright and everything is going well so far. I do miss your home cooked meals and your warm hugs and sweet kisses. Although it hasn’t been a very long time since I’ve been here at SUNY New Paltz, I wanted to tell you about my favorite place on campus. I know what you’re thinking, it’s the Dining Hall because you know how much I love to eat. Yes, I do! You are definitely right on that but no not the dining hall, remember how much I would call you just to complain about how far it is from where I am staying. Okay! Solve this riddle: I am located on campus of course. I am very small for my age. Two of me make one. My floors are split into two. People often hate me because I have no air conditioner like others. What Am I? Yes mommy, my residence hall/College Hall. Correct! My favorite place on campus is my room in College Hall. Shh! Don’t laugh, I can explain. 

College Hall is one of the first residence halls on campus with its unique construction and traditions housing a diverse student population. (SUNY New Paltz Residence Hall Website) It is connected to another hall called Shango Hall which creates the name “Collango.” It is located between the Science Hall and the Old Main building. It is the only hall that has two floors. According to www.newpaltz.edu/reslife/shangocollege/index, it states “Only male residents live on the first floor of College Hall and only female residents live on the second floor of College Hall.” So, I live on the second floor where it has a corridor style hallway, one restroom used by females, an emergency door, stairway in the center and RA room at the end. Of course, all females that live in College Hall are not in one long hall, so if you reach the RA room at the end there is another hallway with females as well. But, it has a laundry room that all the females in the hall share. According to www.newpaltz.edu/about/buildings/index.html#77259:

“Today, the Shango/College Hall Complex is a vital living and learning space on campus, the closest hall to the Village of New Paltz, and home to hundreds of student residents as well as the Honors Program, the Department of Music, the Scholar’s Mentorship Program and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Center. Located in the basement of College Hall are a study lounge with a computer lounge and a kitchen with a lounge area. Located on the first and second floors are small laundry rooms equipped with washers and dryers and a recycling area and microwave oven is located in the basement. Vending machines are also located on the first floor. College Hall offers a very close-knit community and it is near the academic buildings. ”

As you enter College Hall you walk up the stairs and turn right, walk two doors down, you get to my room. My roommate is on the left hand side of the room and I am on the right. My room is my comfort place. It is a decent sized room. I don’t feel castropholic nor uncomfortable which makes me feel at home. It is where I go to escape from everything and everyone. I don’t like to be around people, interact with anyone or socialize with others. I know it sounds bad! But you know this already about your daughter. I don’t leave my room for anything other than attending my classes, getting food from the Dining Hall, picking up food that I ordered on Grub hub, hall government meetings and the usage of the laundry room, kitchen and restroom. On weekends, I am in my room all day. It has what I need: a bed with my teddy bears, a micro fridge, a closet, a study/work space with a chair, tall lamp, trashcan and a heater. But sadly it doesn’t have you in it, mother. Okay! Don’t get me wrong, it is not better than my room I have at home but it is working for the short period of time I am here. 

After my sometimes long days from classes, I feel very tired and all I want to do is go into my calm and warm room and of course sleep. My room is where I show my personality more but when my roommate is absent. I do the most random things like make weird noises, sing my heart to my favorite songs and have deep conversations with myself. I feel safe because I get to do all these things and more without anyone stopping me or even bothering others. It is also my quiet place for when I need to think, study and just need peace. Every morning, I look out the window and see the kind of weather it will be which also determines my outfits for the day. Somedays, it makes me make the wrong choice of clothing but that’s alright. When the sun shines in my room, it is beautiful and bright which makes me happy to start my day.  

In conclusion, every student on campus has their favorite place on campus. For some, it may be the Atrium or the Dining Hall and for others, it may just be the pond or the quad. But, my favorite place on campus is my room in College Hall. It is a place of comfort, safety, privacy, alone time, peace and more. You are welcome to come over anytime!