Leave it to me

Well, it’s that time of year again. Homecoming is upon us, and hopefully some of those familiar faces we haven’t seen in a while will be here to celebrate with us. Homecoming is a time for remembering, and hopefully when we leave good old Georgia College & State University we will come back to see how things are progressing and what’s in store for the future.

I think to a certain degree homecoming brings a bit of nostalgia with it. Our college experience, as well as our whole life, is made up of events that make it special. This week people should reflect on what has made their college experience meaningful, but I think that our whole life is one great big set of memories.

If you think about it, there are always the same significant moments that stand out. My mom thinks I’m crazy, but I swear I remember laying in my crib and seeing a Winnie the Pooh mobile above my head. Okay, maybe I’ve just seen pictures …but if you think hard enough I think everyone has a first memory. Maybe it’s the anticipation of Santa coming down the chimney on Christmas Eve or waiting for the Tooth Fairy after you lost your first tooth. Then comes the first day of school. I can remember to this day how terrified I was when I had to leave my Mom and go into that big, scary classroom.

Before you know it 12 years have passed by and it’s time for graduation day. Of course there are football games, first dates, proms and friendships built in between, … but time really does fly.

With homecoming here this week, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it is that I’ll remember about GC&SU. I’ve made some of my most important memories here. I’ve heard it said the most significant lessons are those that we learn outside of the classroom, but I think that goes both ways. I’ll remember those professors that have challenged me to do my best. I’ve learned that just a little bit of encouragement goes a long way.

I’ll remember the lessons learned outside of the classroom too. You know, sometimes it’s as simple as going to an event with a guest speaker. You never know when that speaker might say something that will change your life. Or maybe you get involved with some type of community service endeavor for a class and you meet someone that becomes your friend.

There are plenty of simple little things that stick out. Whenever I think of GC&SU, I think I’ll always see Maxwell Student Union for some reason. I’ll always see students gathered out by the fountain, and I think I’ll always see students wrapped up in sleeping bags at Relay for Life.

The thing I’ll remember most about college; however, is the friendships I’ve made. I think I’ve learned the true meaning of friendship in college. I’ll remember the long talks, the favorite songs, the roommates and the laughter, among other things. I’ll remember all the things I’ve learned from my friends. The lessons are invaluable.

College is full of memories, but before we know it, it will be just a memory. Take the time now to share in those times that will inspire you to come back to homecoming for years to come. This week we should all celebrate what we have now, along with what is to come.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 21 2003. Filed under Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry