Leave it to me …

So this is it, my last column. It’s kind of funny — with Thanksgiving upon us, I find that I have so much to be thankful for right now. There are a few people I need to thank before I get started with this week’s column.
Dr. Carter – You’ve been my adviser, and many times it seems like a counselor over the past few years. I’ve emailed you with numerous crazy questions and crises, but no matter what drama I had going on or how freaked out I was over something, you never gave up on me, and I couldn’t have made it without you. Thank you.
Ryan – Ah, the Skipper. Remember when we met a few years ago in Mass Media & Society at 8 a.m.? You were a little loud. I was a little quiet. My, how far we’ve come. It’s been fun working with you for the past few years. You work hard and I wish everyone could see first-hand how much you put into the paper. You’re a good editor and an even better friend. Gilligan loves ya!
Megan – Thanks for always making me feel so welcome when I first came on to the ‘Nade. Even though we met late in college, I’m glad we did. You’ve been a great friend and I’m thankful for the times we’ve shared.
Rich – Richardson, I never got to write my Billy Bennett column, but I trust that you’ll get that done for me. You’re a good friend and I know you’ve got a bright future ahead of you.
Jenny – You do a good job, and on top of that you have a wonderful love for life. Good luck in all that you do.
Kimmie – Who would have thought we would become roommates? But I’m glad we did. I’m just sorry we didn’t meet earlier. You’re a great photographer Kim, and more importantly, you’ve got a great heart. I know that our friendship will last long after our college days are over.
Joyous – You work hard and you never fail to put a smile on my face. Thanks for all that you do!
Jerry – You have a bright future ahead of you, just not in the football picks.
Karmen – It’s been fun working with you this semester. I’m glad you joined the staff!
Rebecca – You do great work, and thanks for the CDs. You’re always thoughtful.
Victoria and Danielle – You two make the paper better every week, and you’re good people, too. Thanks for all that you do.
Mr. Johnson – You have been a great adviser your first semester with The Colonnade. Thanks for all of your guidance and advice. Georgia College & State University is lucky to have you on board.
Now, on with my last column …
They say your college years are the best years of your life. There are a few things I would change, and many that I would leave just as they are. So here it is, my advice to those of you who still have a few years left.
Have fun. I don’t mean be irresponsible. Just have fun. Part of college is also enjoying that small window of time that we have before we really do have to get serious.
Get involved. I’ve made my best friends on this campus, mostly through the things I’ve been involved in. I can’t imagine what college would have been like without sorority sisters, newspaper friends or even the wisdom of an adopted grandparent. Sometimes being involved on this campus can change your whole outlook on things.
Don’t take people for granted. The older you get, the more painfully clear it becomes that people don’t stay around forever. And it’s not always through tragedy that we lose them, sometimes we’re just foolish enough to let them slip away. As time goes by and responsibility weighs in more heavily, it gets harder to stay in touch. You say nothing will change, but the truth is that it does. So cherish the people around you now. Nobody knows you like your college friends do.
Enjoy it. One thing I have been extremely blessed with in life is having understanding parents. No matter what story I called home with about a bad grade or a huge term paper I had due, my dad always had one final important question for me: “Are you having fun?” That’s one of the most important questions in life really, isn’t it? And now, after four and a half years, a few dozen papers and a couple of lessons in life, I’m pretty glad that I can say, “Yeah, it was a lot of fun.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Nov 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