“Feeny! Fe he he heeny!”
The iconic name rings through the ears of the die-hard fans of the 90s television show, Boy Meets World. Cory, Topanga, Eric, Shawn, Mr. Feeny and the rest of the cast of the hit show have shown its viewers what life is all about: doing the right thing, being yourself, the importance of family and friendship, and education, all while integrating classic comedy.
Doing the right thing has always been ingrained into our minds since we could walk and talk, but, the right thing is sometimes hidden beneath a plethora of options. Mr. Feeny reminds us that, “A real hero is someone who does the right thing when the right thing isn’t easy to do.”
While this could be related to just about anybody, what is so special about Monmouth is that we have an abundance of faculty members and professors that want to see us succeed in all we do; we are fortunate enough to go to a small school where our professors not only know who we are, but, are able to take notice if we’re doing well or not.
I have gotten along with a number of my professors and even met with them during office hours just to talk because we got along so well. Take a chance and if you get along with one of your professors well, see if you could meet with them during office hours to talk! They’re not as scary as you think.
Hand in hand with doing the right thing, being yourself is just as, if not more, important. Mr. Feeny speaks his words of wisdom in an episode saying, “If you let people’s perception of you dictate your behavior, you’ll never grow as a person.”
It isn’t uncommon for students to get caught up in drama and fads, but, staying true to who you are helps keep yourself and your morals in check. Feeny brings to light an issue that is still just as present in today’s society: “We live in a society where they tell us we have to look a certain way. So we’re all under pressure to live up to unrealistic expectations.”
Being at Monmouth helps bring us back to reality; our diverse and accepting community aides in providing an eclectic campus and the ability to see that you are never alone.
Remembering that you are never alone is hard at times, but it is vital to know your family is always by your side. Cory believes that even after letting yourself grow up and mature as a person, “when you are not a little boy anymore, and the world has taught you to be a man, you will still make mistakes. But your family and those friends you made along the way will protect you. And you find the world will protect you too.”
Cory has always been a family man on the show, but his words of wisdom resonate well with students. Being far away from your family can get tough, but with the Monmouth support system at your back, you’re truly never alone.
Homesickness is one of the biggest issues that people go to Counseling and Psychological Services; missing family members is not only normal, but it’s customary, especially in your first year of college. But, be sure to remember that it isn’t just family that looks out for you because in the eyes of Mr. Feeny, “You don’t have to be blood to be family.”
Friendships are continuously formed in Boy Meets World, just as friendships are made throughout your time at Monmouth University. Every day we are given the opportunity to meet new people or simply catch up with our usual friends; at Monmouth, our community is not only accepting, but, encouraging of meeting new people with open arms. Not only that, but we are given numerous events and sporting events that help us get together.
Our basketball season just kicked off recently and our Foreign Language Festival is coming up as well, there are so many things that we are able to do with friends that not only bring us together, but help us broaden our horizons. Not to mention, Feeny truly believes that, “Friendship is the real gift, it is given with no expectation, no gratitude is necessary.”
Being that Boy Meets World takes place mainly in a school setting, it is only appropriate that educational lessons be thrown into the show. The cast reminds its viewers, even today, that, “Education is not about obscure facts and little test scores. Education is about the overall effects of years of slow absorption. Concepts, philosophies, approaches to problem solving. The whole process is so grand.”
Monmouth University’s limitless resources it provides to its Hawks are the reason so many flock to the campus. Our computer labs, well-rounded courses, generous faculty, and well-known professors all play a part in a Hawk’s career at Monmouth. Our professors, coaches, and advisors often play a “Mr. Feeny” type of role in our lives. Their ability to recognize different aspects of our work and help us further our careers in more ways than one are just a few things that help make us the best students we can possibly be.
Being that our courses are so tailored to our majors aides in the ability to make sure that by the end of our college journey, we are best prepared for the chances we will have come graduation time.
Just as education is important, technology ties into the topic effortlessly. We are constantly exposed to different types of technology, the newest iPhone, the newest video game, the latest apps and laptops, tablets, headphones, and so on and so forth. But, the more technology we have, the less we are able to fully digest all of the information because we are constantly looking for the newest, shiniest ‘toy.’
Feeny takes the words right out of my mouth, “Gutenberg’s generation thirsted for a new book every six months. Your generation gets a new webpage every six seconds. And how do you use this technology? To beat King Koopa and save the princess. Shame on you. You deserve what you get.”
While technology can come off as bad, and rightfully so in some cases, as Hawks, we have a number of different technological aspects that further our education. With the Commuter Student Lounge’s computers, our science labs, the library, and other resources such as these prove that technology is on our side, especially as Hawks.
Through all of these lessons and morals, the cast of Boy Meets World still made us laugh and cry, and brought us closer together as a society. Bringing out life lessons about education, doing the right thing, living life to the fullest, and always being yourself, Boy Meets World gave its viewers a sense of home within a show and a cast to relate to.
So, with that being said, Feeny would like to add: “Dream. Try. Do good.” Don’t just do well but, “Do good. I love you all. Class dismissed.”
IMAGE TAKEN from http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/girl-meets-world-william-daniels-return-season-three
