Every residence hall offers a different freshman experience – some better than others.

For my first two years at Temple, I lived in 1300 Residence Hall. I liked it; I made some great friends I still have today. It took me a while to meet those people, and once I did, I didn’t meet too many others. I feel a little shafted.

I was giving tours of Peabody Hall Sunday, working the Open House for prospective students. I found myself very jealous of the nearly 300 freshman that live there.

The hall, built in 1956 and celebrating its golden anniversary last year, has the atmosphere of a cruise ship for college kids. Walking down the long, narrow, white hallways with the colorful doors and matching door frames felt like I was on the Titanic. Well, third-class Titanic, but the Titanic nonetheless.

Each cabin…er…room has its own style. The residents truly make it their home, as they should. The color extends from the well-decorated hallways (props to the RAs) to the cozy, intensely decorated rooms. My jealousy grew even more.

The television lounge – a big screen TV in front of a few rows of couches just off the lobby – was homey, despite not having any walls. The staircase leading to the basement truly gave the cruise ship feel. Who knew stairs had so much power?

The game room had not one, but TWO pool tables. In 1300, with more than 1,000 residents, there was only one! And after a while, someone stole the cue sticks. And, we didn’t have a foos ball table like Peabody, either. These kids are lucky.

It seemed like an STA Travel cruise vacation in the form of a four-story building where people actually live.

I’ve heard alumni talking to each other exchanging many memories that begin, “Remember that time in Peabody…” Current students do the same. Rarely do you hear people talking about 1940, or even Johnson or Hardwick in the same way.

I don’t know what it is about Peabody. What began a women’s residence hall in the 1950s has become an unmatched co-educational experience. Peabody is probably the only residence hall on campus I’ve never heard any negative comments about, which says a lot coming from a tour guide.

Peabody residents – be proud. I know you already are. The entire campus should be envious of you for gaining the truest college experience one can get on Temple’s campus. It’s kind of like taking a constant vacation with classes in between. Like…Semester at Sea in Peabody Hall.