When I think about COM, I don’t think of one building. I think of COM as a collection of small places that quietly watched me grow through everyday life — not grades, finals, or any one big moment. The COM lawn, the classrooms, and the lounge – each gave me something different. They may seem ordinary, but together, they hold memories I will keep forever.
The lawn outside COM is one of the little things I will remember. At first, it was just a place to sit while waiting for the bus or a place to pause between classes. I did not think much about it. But, over time, that small patch of grass started to feel like more than just a waiting spot.
My friends and I sat on the grass after class, sharing random thoughts, enjoying the sun, and occasionally walking to the waffle truck nearby. Over time, the lawn offered me a sense of comfort, peace, and, somehow, separation from school stress, despite its location right outside 640 Commonwealth Ave. The presence of other COM students – like those frequently shooting film – made the space feel even more alive and uniquely COM. Looking back, I think that’s why I will remember it. It’s not because it was important in an obvious way, but because it quietly became part of the rhythm of my life.
The COM classrooms are another place I will remember, not because of the lectures, but because of the way the spaces allowed me to become different versions of myself. Walking in, I could feel quiet or distracted, but once class started, I was present. Some days I was just listening and taking notes. Other days I had to speak, discuss, or present as if I were much more confident than I actually felt. What made the classrooms memorable was that it never let me stay only one thing. There were a place where I could shift between observer and speaker, between uncertainty and confidence. That’s why I will remember them: the classrooms demanded something different from me every time I walked in.
The COM lounge is another place I will remember. The space exudes collaboration, teamwork, and the thrill of raw ideation. This is where I shared quick conversations, frustrations, last-minute planning, and simple hangouts. Although some of my group projects became stressful, they introduced me to talented and thoughtful classmates. What I will remember is not only the work we produced, but the feeling of being surrounded by others who are both creative and talented. In the lounge, teamwork felt less formal and more human. It was a place where collaboration meant more than dividing tasks – it meant learning how to listen, adjust, and build something together.
What made each of these places memorable to me is not the spaces themselves, but the versions of me that existed in them. On the lawn outside COM, I learned to slow down and enjoy small moments. In the classrooms, I was pushed to speak, respond, and grow in confidence. In the lounge, I bonded with others whose talent and creativity changed my own predispositions. Looking back, I think these are the memories that will matter most – not because they were loud, but because they were quiet in shaping who I have become.
Lara Luo is a media science student and creative storyteller with a strong interest in branding work and content creation. Her passions for writing and visual communication have shaped her interest in crafting compelling brand stories, and she looks forward to applying her creative and strategic skills to branding and content-driven work after graduation.
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