Noteworthy columnnist signs off
The school year is almost over. And as the Atlanta Braves have been saying a lot lately: There’s always next year. Except not for me. But this is a good thing, I’m graduating. Four years ago, me and about 1,000 of my closest friends set out on a journey to boldly go where..well, a lot of people have gone before. But this article isn’t about the bravery of those of us who daringly ate Sodexho food everyday for years, or the plight of those 8 a.m. classes, or even the horrors of a professor who teaches the entire allotted time. This article is about each and every one of us.
At this moment there are over 5,000 GCSU students. And each one of us is at a different point in our life. Some are freshmen who just experienced their first year on their own. Some are upper-classmen, preparing for the big world before them. Some have previously graduated college and are back to get a higher degree, certificate or even just for fun (I know, isn’t that weird?).
To the underclassmen, I wish I could tell you these four years fly by quickly, and before you know it you will be a graduate. But the truth is that they go by kind of slow. An individual semester might seem to go by quickly; even a year might feel like that. But by the time you graduate I think that you will realize that these four years went by relatively slowly. You will look back on your first weeks and months in college and think, man that feels like a long time ago. You’ll be here a while, try to enjoy it.
One of the best things you can do in college is become involved. Student organizations cater to virtually every hobby and social group imaginable. Find something you enjoy, do it and have fun. Three years ago, I joined The Colonnade to write opinion editorials on political issues and current events. Since then, I have had sixty-five columns published (they are all archived at GCSUnade.com in case you missed one), and this has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. With many writers graduating, The Colonnade will be looking for fresh blood (not in the Edward Cullen way), to fill their newspaper staff. If you are interested in covering news that matters to college students, and don’t mind seeing your name in print, then I highly recommend becoming involved with The Colonnade.
To those graduating, I don’t know what to say. It’s hard to say what to expect after graduation in a “been there, done that” way when I haven’t been there, and I haven’t done that, yet. I suppose the same principles from my advice to the undergrads still apply. Try to enjoy every minute of life. And also try to be involved. If you thought there were a lot of organizations that cater to your hobby or interest in college, then you will be surprised by how many more there are in the real world.
Where ever you go in the world, and whatever you do, I ask that you remember GCSU, our proud and stalwart community. That you hail wisdom’s daughter and your faithful alma mater. Please pledge to honor right with truth and love your guiding light as Georgia College and State University hails her beacon bright.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on May 1 2009. Filed under Opinion.
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