Ah Harding, I feel I barely knew ye. I came to the campus but two short years ago after trying my luck at two other establishments of learning, and found I would like to stay and finally earn a diploma. I did not fail at the other places but only felt I could no longer grow, and so I left them and found a home at Harding.
It changed me. Harding accomplished her main goal and changed me for the better. Today I am more of a Christian than I ever was and have the strength to face difficult matters with confidence that the Lord is by my side. I have to give Harding credit for that, for it is due.
I haven’t done much in the way of extravagant self-denial, or a great act of service or something that expanded the kingdom of heaven and led many to salvation while here; my time was spent learning, but in various formats and through various individuals.
The “classroom” I have spent the most time in would be the Student Publications office, hands down. I have done the most work that pertains to my major in that office and had instructors of every variety at my side. From editors, to fellow photographers, to an extended abuse of my instructors’ knowledge, to just fellow student workers teaching me keyboard commands, I have learned a lot from those people and have grown to love them.
My lessons of The Office, as I dub the Student Publications office, have been patience, hard work, stress management and encouragement. Let me explain.
Patience has come from waiting on crucial information from others, waiting for the perfect photo to accompany a story and waiting for people to email me back for interviews — that one takes most of my patience.
I have learned, in increasing amounts of intensity, what hard work means. It has been hard work to train myself for the task at hand, whatever that may be. My creativity is tested but I have pulled through for my publications and take pride when I see my work.
Stress management is probably the most useful skill of anything I have learned. To be able to manage my stress is to master it and create great things even though I am constantly wishing for more time. I have made the clock my friend instead of my enemy, most days at least.
While other skills are use-ful, the skill of encouragement is the most important. Being in such close proximity to so many people to meet deadlines and create works of art, in my mind, has tried me and instead of being downcast, over-stressed and angry, I learned how to encourage others and myself to achieve. A kind word travels far and I do my best to make my kind words stretch.
I must also note that I was proposed to in The Office. It is a big life decision that, of course, would be made in that most influential of places.
I love Harding for many reasons, but my concentrated experiences happened in the office and I wouldn’t trade those for anything.
Thank you friends, I truly do love you all.
