Well, all good things eventually end.
Today marks the end of a journey that began in August 1983 with Miss Roxanne’s morning pre-school class and ended last night with Dr. Larry Snipes’s MC 3210 class.
The “journey” refers to my life as a student.
So that brings me to the question that was my whole purpose for writing this column (besides causing my beloved Reveille buddies to cry) — how do you close the book on something that’s been a part of your life for the last 19 years?
Well, in my case, closure comes in the form of the annual senior farewell column. But, I would like to remind the LSU community that this is the last time you have to listen to one of my 800-word rants, so just keep that in mind as you sit back and read — it will make the whole thing sound so much better.
I remember the first time I heard about the concept of a college education. I was in kindergarten, and my mother purchased one of those parent must-haves, a book to record photos of your children through each year of their education. (Don’t laugh, I know all of you have one back at mom and dad’s place).
At that point, there was only one photo of me, at 5 years old with my red sweater, Cabbage Patch Kids barrettes and pre-braces overbite. I flipped through the blank pages and wondered what I would look like in third grade, middle school, high school and then … college?
I asked my mother what college was, and she explained it as “school for older kids where some people go and some people don’t.”
“So you don’t have to go?” (note the journalistic curiosity even at a young age). “No.” “Well, I’m not going to four years of school if I don’t have to.” My mom explained that one day I might change my mind. And 13 years later, she turned out to be right, as usual (don’t you hate that?).
My parents dropped me off at Herget Hall in August 1998, and on Dec. 20, I finally get to leave. Back in 1998, I watched my parents drive away and felt scared and unsure of what the future might bring. Funny, it’s the same feeling I have now as I get ready to move on.
But, the most important things I’m taking with me didn’t come from a syllabus, they came from everyday life at LSU. So, let me share some knowledge nuggets with you.
First of all, you have to be scared and you must expect the unexpected. Things have changed a lot in my life since freshman year, including majors, residences, roommates, friends, boyfriends and jobs, to name a few.
The saddest change is that although both my parents dropped me off at school, my mother died unexpectedly this fall, so only my dad gets to watch me walk across the stage to collect my diploma. But, I know my mom will be watching me from somewhere.
And, I know these changes have made me a stronger person in the long run. As long as the unexpected is going to happen, learn from it and become better for it. A bad grade or a breakup won’t kill you, it just feels that way.
Another lesson is to actually go to class every once in a while. Believe it or not, I am enough of a dork to find learning fun, and you’d be surprised how cool some of your professors are. I could name several who have made a strong impact in my life and even have become my friends, but I don’t want to be accused of brown-nosing before finals. Seriously though, this is an academic institution. Try to learn a little something.
And of course, my last lesson is, get involved in something. I am proud to have been a part of something as special as The Reveille for the last three and a half years. I’ve made friends I plan to keep my whole life. And while I’ll be happy to actually have time to see my friends, boyfriend and family again, it hurts to tell these folks goodbye.
So, find an organization you want to join and become part of something special. It makes college so much better.
I’m going to miss this place. I’ve realized there’s more to the University than oaks and arches and Saturday nights in Death Valley. There’s a special feeling you only get at this campus. But, I’ve learned no matter where the future takes me, I can handle it. And I’ll always be a Tiger at heart. God bless, and good luck to the other Fall 2002 graduates.