Opinion: Five years of countless lessons and growth — what LSU has taught this senior

By Amyri Jones, Opinion Columnist

April 14, 2025

In less than 40 days, I’ll be graduating, and while I’m incredibly excited, this moment is undeniably bittersweet.
Over the past five years, I’ve learned so much, made unforgettable memories and grown into the person I am today.
However, there are a few things I wish I could go back and tell my freshman-year self just to make sure she soaked up every drop of the college experience.
Here are the 10 things I would tell her:

1. Live on campus for at least your first year

There are definitely pros and cons to living on campus, but overall, it’s worth it. Being on campus gives you the chance to become more independent and immerse yourself in student life. It’s one of the best ways to make friends early on, especially since you’re introverted and seek community.

2. Don’t delay general education classes just because they’re boring

You might be tempted to skip over those “boring” general-education credits, but trust me, future you won’t appreciate taking freshman-level history courses as a senior, sitting in a classroom surrounded by 18-year-olds and their high school humor at 8 a.m. It’s just not ideal. Just get them out of the way early so you can focus on courses that align with your passions.

3. Go to every single football game and stay until the end

You never know when you’ll get the chance to rush the field, but even if that moment never comes, the experience of being in Death Valley as an LSU student is unlike anything else. It’s electric. Stay the whole game and soak it in; you’ll miss it one day.

4. Plan your gameday outfits in advance, especially for Homecoming

Gameday fashion is a big deal at LSU. Coordinate your outfit early so you’re not scrambling on game day; it’s worth it.

5. Avoid evening classes if you can

Evening classes sound convenient initially, but by the time they roll around, you’ll be drowsy, distracted and daydreaming about dinner or a nap. Keep your energy in mind when scheduling.

6. When you study abroad in France during your junior year, make every single day count

Yes, you will spend two weeks studying abroad in France, and yes, it will be magical. But don’t waste time cooped up in your apartment. Go out, explore and soak in the culture. Those moments will become some of your most cherished memories.

7. You’ll change your major four times—unless you choose Advertising and Religious Studies early

Save yourself the stress and indecisiveness; these two majors align with your strengths and passions. You were always meant to blend creativity with cultural depth, so lean into it sooner.

8. You’ll be selected for an advertising agency tour in New York City and later land an internship there

This opportunity will change everything. You’ll meet professionals who inspire you, and months later, you’ll secure a competitive internship. This will reaffirm that you’re on the right path.

9. Friends will come and go, so stay focused on your education

People will enter and exit your life, and that’s okay. But your education is yours forever, and that’s where the money resides. Focus on your future, and don’t let temporary relationships distract you from long-term success.

10. You will find your way

There will be moments when you question whether LSU was the right choice, but with time, you’ll see that you were always meant to be here. This place will shape you in ways that you never expected.

LSU has facilitated my growth in more ways than I can count. I’ve cried here, laughed here, failed, triumphed and ultimately found my voice. As I prepare to turn the page on this chapter, I know I’ll miss it deeply, but I know I’m ready.

Amyri Jones is a 23-year-old digital advertising and religious studies senior from Baton Rouge, La.

About the Contributor

Taylor Hamilton, Opinion Editor

Why did you join the Reveille?

In high school, I was a part of my school’s newspaper and absolutely loved my time there. Once I heard about the Reveille, I knew that I wanted to continue my “journalistic career” in college. Writing is one of my greatest passions, and being able to express myself on a larger platform was a dream of mine.

What positions have you held at the Reveille?

I have held the position of opinion columnist twice, and now I’m the opinion editor.

What’s your favorite thing about working at the Reveille?

Prior to becoming an editor, my favorite thing was writing. Since high school, I’ve loved being able to express myself through writing in ways that I could never do verbally. Now as an editor, I would say that my favorite thing is working with my columnists and fellow editors. We have a wonderful group of people at the newspaper, and I have loved getting to know all of them better.

What’s your favorite story that you’ve written so far?

Honestly, it’s a tough question because I have a lot of personal favorites. However, I would say that my favorite story (as of right now) is the piece that I wrote about the Feminists in Action’s annual event, Take Back the Night. The piece focused on my own personal story with sexual assault, and advocated for survivors and allies to attend the event to bring awareness to this ongoing issue. It’s so important to bring attention to people’s stories, and that’s what I tried to highlight in this column. It was an excruciating piece to write, but I’m so glad that I did.

What do you hope to do after graduation?

After graduation, I hope to enter the publishing industry. My heart has always lay with books, and I can’t wait to help bring authors’ stories to life someday.