Freshmen should venture outside of Morgantown

Welcome to Morgantown.

This is the start of a new chapter in your life. From now on you are not looked at as a child, but a young adult searching for your place in life.

You will hear from upperclassmen and faculty that the best way to get through your classes is to simply go to class and do the required work. This is true, but there is room for students to let loose and have fun, as well.

Actually, downtime is important to success.

There will be many times that you may feel drained from your studies and will look for a release. Always allow yourself to have a break from the stress.

The Morgantown area is the perfect environment to do just that.

Whether it is an escape from the city to the country, or the escape to an even larger city, there isn’t much out of reach.

For the outdoors:

West Virginia is well-known for its lavish landscape and wildlife. Every student should take the time to experience what this great state has to offer.

There is much to explore in the wild and wonderful state of West Virginia. It may be underdeveloped (when considering the economical standings of other states), but for reasons of adventure, beautiful landscapes and fascinating history, the state is amazing in its natural rural form.

West Virginia University students should take the time to discover what the state has to offer – especially those from out of state.

There is never a shortage of exciting outdoor activities, regardless of the season.

For the winter months, West Virginia is any skier or snowboarder’s dream. The state boasts four major ski resorts with a combined 166 available trails.

In addition to the resorts, there are multiple places to rent cabins or other lodging for those who just want to relax in a quiet country setting.

Summertime activities in the Mountain State are equally impressive.

The same snow-covered trails found at ski resorts are available for hikers and mountain bikers to explore when the weather is warm and the trees are green – the views from the trails during any season are breathtaking.

West Virginia also has some of the best white water rafting in the United States; three of the state’s rivers have a class-V rating, which is the most difficult level in which a commercial rafting outfitter will offer tours. There are plenty of beginner and intermediate rafting areas, as well.

When you travel to any corner of West Virginia, you will uncover a deep and captivating history. From visiting the historic Native American burial mounds in Moundsville to the Anna Jarvis (the founder of Mother’s Day) House in Grafton, to the grand plantation on Blennerhassett Island in Parkersburg, there are a variety of historical travel options.

For more on travel information or vacation packages visit www.wvtourism.com.

While obtaining a valuable education at WVU, make sure to take advantage of the amazing sights and activities the Mountain State has to offer.

For the city dwellers:

While West Virginia metropolitan areas are limited, the city of Pittsburgh is in reach for those who look for a weekend getaway.

It doesn’t take much more than an hour’s drive before you reach the city limits, and there is much to do there, including professional sporting events (Pirates, Penguins and Steelers) and music events.

I make the drive to Pittsburgh on a regular basis to attend concerts with friends. It doesn’t cost much when I carpool and share costs for a hotel room for a night.

If you are new to the city, it is best to bring a friend who has been there before. Trafficking through the city can be confusing for some. But when you travel in a group and behave responsibly, it can be a fun place to visit.

The life of a West Virginia University student can be exciting and adventurous if resources are used properly.

Make sure to explore areas outside the Morgantown area to get the full benefit of being on your own.