In the U.S., the idea of "living fast" has become almost synonymous with modern life, especially in bustling cities where efficiency and productivity are emphasized above all else. It’s a way of life that prioritizes speed, leaving minimal time for slowing down and savoring little moments.
Universities often mirror this pace, pressing students to focus on an outcome from day one. In contrast to many, Auburn University seems to offer a more community-focused approach, one that is out of sync with the speed-driven mentality of many cities but creates a potentially richer college experience. So, how does Auburn’s unique pace affect its students; is it to their benefit or detriment?
Last week, I was walking with one of my friends who spent the entirety of his summer in Italy. As we conversed about his experience, he emphasized how slow things seem to move in Italy, and how much he enjoyed it. He said there was an obvious focus on enjoying the day; the people around him had meals that lasted hours, a designated nap time from 3-5 p.m. daily, and truly seemed to soak up every moment.
He framed it in contrast to the fast-paced, efficiency-driven lifestyle we often see in the U.S., where there seems to be a relentless speed of modern life. However, I find this fast speed of living to be still far away from the "Auburn bubble."
When I first toured Auburn during my senior year of high school, my dad remarked immediately on how happy everyone seemed to be in our small college town. Being from Jacksonville, FL, one of the biggest cities in the US, we were accustomed to strangers keeping their heads down when passing by and an overall lack of interaction with strangers.
In Auburn, I’m still constantly taken aback by the niceness of strangers, and everyone’s willingness to help anyone else. It truly has become my favorite bubble, and I find this bubble to be a direct result of the idea of the Auburn Family.
I had a conversation with one of my good friends recently, where she told me how much she values her experience at Auburn after moving to New York City post-grad. She reminded me that each of us has our entire lives to live in big, bustling cities, but that these next college years are the only time we will be able to live in a college town, as a college student, and to be in a place as traditional and family-oriented as Auburn is a special and unique experience.
Auburn is built on very traditional ideals, reflected by our academic calendar, a cultural emphasis on community, and a strong emphasis on collaboration. Out of my siblings and many of my friends from home, I’m the only one that still has an entire week for Thanksgiving break, time off for fall break, and a month off for Christmas.
Auburn, in my opinion, remains focused on spending time with the ones you love, even as so many universities stray away from the "traditional" academic calendar. Auburn's commitment to a slower, more deliberate pace of life can be seen in its calendar and in the overall culture that prioritizes personal connections.
One of the most defining features of Auburn is the Auburn Creed, which underscores the importance of character, community, and respect. It promotes a sense of integrity that encourages students to prioritize relationships over individual achievements; fostering an environment where individuals become a part of a larger family rather than just numbers or statistics. In a changing world that so often values efficiency and speed above all else, Auburn stands out by nurturing the personal development of its students.
The Creed states "I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all," which emphasizes a willingness to help and be there for others, bringing a sense of collaboration to Auburn student life.
Additionally, the collaborative spirit I see so often in my classes and organizations is a departure from the hyper-competitive atmosphere found in other universities. One of my best friends from home, who goes to a school up North, told me immediately upon starting there, the university started conversations with each freshman about jobs post-grad.
Even at their orientation, students are required to have meetings with an advisor about what job they will go into after graduating and how they will get there. She has also constantly described her school as "hyper-competitive," where students are unwilling to share notes, study together, and help out in many other respects as well.
In comparison, Auburn focuses on getting their students involved, with countless emails going out to freshmen about the First 56, ways to participate in Auburn traditions, and more advice on how to find your people and place here. Not only does Auburn stray away from hyper-competition, it focuses on inclusion and having students realize the value of the Auburn family.
While embracing some aspects of efficiency and innovation is necessary to prepare students for the demands of current society. For example, all business students are required to take Introduction to Information Systems, a class about how to utilize AI in the workforce. This demonstrates how it is even more crucial to preserve the core values that make Auburn what it is. Auburn has an understanding of what its students need, and it gives them just the right amount of a push.
Students come to Auburn because of the strong sense of community and a slower, more thoughtful, family-oriented pace of life. Auburn’s commitment to community is what sets it apart, and it’s these qualities that will continue to make Auburn a cherished place for future generations. It’s an escape from the fast-paced, city-esque way of life, an escape that I think many of us need, and creates an experience that impacts students and alumni long after they leave.
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