The Student Center
Matthew Carvajal is young man with Asperger’s syndrome, a condition on the Autism spectrum. Matt, a Sock Wrangler and Sock Scriber at John’s Crazy Socks, is an essential team member working to spread happiness and show every day what is possible when you give a person a chance. Matt is going to college for the first time and sharing his experience in a blog, so others can learn of the challenges someone with Asperger’s faces and inspire others to know that they are not alone.
Despite its name, Happy Hour wasn’t all that happy for me. I don’t really have anything to do for an hour and thirty minutes between my classes. I mean, I have my Nintendo Switch to pass the time, but I didn’t really have anyone to hang out with. It was like that for 2 weeks, then I discovered the Student Center. Now, Happy Hour is happy for me.
The building has 3 entrances, so what you see first depends on which entrance you walk in, but it becomes evident as soon as you enter that there is a lot to do in the Campus Center. For me, the first thing I saw was a foosball table which I loved to do as a kid. Soon after that, I saw the students around the blizzard table intensely watching a match between two skilled players. Although I find blizzard to be a fun game, I might have to be taught how to properly play. Next to the blizzard table was a ping pong table, which I do know how to play. In fact, I played a match with another student as soon as I saw it. Although I lost miserably (21-4), I had a great conversation during and after the game. While I was smacking the ping pong across the table and volleying back, I noticed the room had a number of televisions. One was set on ESPN and the others were used for video games. I knew right away that I could play the Switch in T.V mode here at this wondrous place. What shocked me the most, however, was what happened the next day.
I brought my Switch dock station for the T.V. and begin playing one of my favorite games, when I noticed a medium sized dog wandering around the Student Center. It originally growled at me, but then its owner rushed near the dog to see what she was growling at. She reassured Tilly that I was a friendly person. It took me a while to figure why there was a dog there, but then it hit me. The Student Center allowed support animals! That means I can meet some cute pets, and to me, that’s a big deal, since I’m an animal person.
The Student Center also has snacks. They are slightly overpriced, but overall, it’s a great place to hang out when you don’t have class. I already met some friendly people and I have no doubt I will meet more if I continue to go there. I’m looking forward to it.
