College.

Another summer gone, another school year has arrived. Whether you’re a young freshman or a super senior, you’re here.

You’ve heard it before; this is supposed to be the time of your life. Your parents sent—or shoved—you off with hopes of helping you succeed in life. Despite what they want you to believe, college isn’t just about getting the skills necessary to have a successful career.

College is about a lot.

If you ask random people what college is each person will give you a different answer. And only half of them will sound cliché.

College is about independence.

Not only do get to live on your own, but you also get to make your own choices and decisions every day. There are no parents watching over your shoulder anymore. This new-found freedom can be terrifying, as well as, liberating.

College is about challenges.

Being on your own at college can provide so many challenges from dishwasher malfunctions to parking competitions, even having to accept growing up. These challenges may seem to come at the worst possible times, and sometimes they do, but every challenge adds its own chapter to the story of your life.

College is about friendship.

Along with gaining experience, college is the perfect environment to find life-long friendships. Some of your friendships will be forged through common interests, some will come out of necessity—like the need to pass statistics class. No matter background or history, friends will make the bad times better and the good times great.

College is about finding yourself.

Finding a good set of friends can change your college experience; finding out about yourself can change your life. The four or more years at college will provide so many opportunities and obstacles that, chances are, at the end you won’t be the same person that wrote the application essay. When you walk across the stage on graduation day, you’ll have a better idea of what you like and don’t like, even if you have no clue where you’re heading or what you’ll end up doing.

Throughout this upcoming year, stop and think about what you’ve learned and experienced here at GCSU. Figure out what college is to you. And if you feel inclined, let us know. Bet you’ll be surprised how much can happen in a year. We always are.

Good luck and have a wonderful, fulfilling year.

Posted by Matt Chambers on Aug 6 2010. Filed under Lead stories, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.