This may seem like an unpopular opinion, but I have had little issue with Stav. Sure, the dishes can get repetitive — especially in the Near and Far line — but they aren’t bad. I enjoyed most of what I ate, and I think the repetitiveness makes it more fun when they have something unique. As someone who has stayed here for both Thanksgiving and spring break, I can confidently say that Stav has better food during breaks. They had a lot of popular dishes — hoagies, potstickers, etc. — in addition to things never tried for the whole campus — red bean and pork buns and pizza bagels, for example. 8/10.
The Cage, the Cave (rip), and the Pause: The Cage pastries and tea were my favorite go-tos for days with lots of work. 10/10. I only bought items from The Cave twice, and I believe it was too overpriced to be worth it. A lot of these snacks can be found at Target for cheaper. 6/10. The Pause is the best place to eat with friends, especially after a concert! I especially loved going there with my friends after Christmas Fest for ice cream. 10/10.
Music events: I attended about 20 recitals and concerts this year, and I can say that I have not regretted going to a single one. The musicians here all play with such passion and genuine love for music, and it was always wonderful to hear. I especially loved the senior recitals we’ve had this term. 9/10.
I absolutely loved seeing Cabaret. As someone who had never seen a live musical before, it was absolutely incredible. Everyone involved clearly put so much into it, and it paid off. The theater department here is very good. 10/10.
The President’s Ball was fun. As a freshman, I did not know what to expect, and it ended up being like prom with better desserts and a larger dance floor. I enjoyed seeing everyone dress up and getting to dance with my friends for hours. Most of the songs were not to my taste in terms of dance music, but it was still very enjoyable. 8/10.
In all honesty, most of the other events I attended on campus were not incredibly memorable and did not have a lot of attendees. I did love every event that involved painting something, though. 7/10.
Overall, the 2025-26 year here at St. Olaf provided me with a strong start to my college experience. I enjoyed this year, and I look forward to seeing what the next one has in store!
