Yes, I realize I have written a final column before. However, that was merely at the end of another semester, another school year, another seasonal job as opinions editor of the newspaper. The time for my true final column is now, at the end of my days as a college student, and it will serve as a memoir of my time at Harding, a written senior speech that was never spoken.
I’m usually not a very dramatic person, but in the next few months of my life lay dramatic changes of all sorts. I will go from college student to working man, from single to newly married, in dramatic fashion, I will begin my transformation from youth to adult.
Without a doubt, the aforementioned transformation is a slow process, one that can take many years and one that some never fully complete. Nevertheless, this is a transformation I must begin in just two short weeks. The more I talk about it, the more I panic, so let’s begin reminiscing instead.
I remember coming to Harding as a freshman, equipped with overwhelming excitement and unwarranted confidence, ready to take on whatever challenge lie ahead. The first few weeks of college were a little like summer camp, full of random semi-entertaining events, meetings with new people who you would rarely see again and minimal actual learning.
I did the typical freshman stuff. I joined a social club, played a lot of video games and went to bed at ungodly hours of the night. I ate in the caf a lot and complained about it, I skipped chapel a few too many times and even got called in to the deans office every once in a while. I cherish the times I spent back before I let the routine of college life wear me down, before I took for granted many of the things Harding has to offer.
My sophomore year I went overseas to Chile and made more memories than pictures can begin to describe. I began to forge lasting friendships and began dating my future wife. This was definitely the most eventful and successful year of my college career.
Junior year I started taking school a little more seriously, if not only because I was forced to. It was during this time that I began to complain a little more than I celebrated, and I urge all of you to avoid this. Even though I was getting older and having to make more important decisions about life, I may have missed out on some fun somewhere along the way.
This year I began to feel the full-on pressure of life after graduation, and it hasn’t been easy. Although I’ve been off campus, I still managed to spend time with friends and participate in activities around campus. I remembered not to take life too seriously and tried to make up for lost time.
My final piece of advice for all of you who aren’t graduating would be to live it up. People always jokingly say you won’t remember what you made on a test, but you’ll remember the time you spent with friends. That’s actually the best advice I could give. I’m not saying don’t ever study, because if you’re getting into grad school or a prestigious program, you will definitely remember failing classes when it comes time to send in your transcript.
What I mean is, use your time wisely. Study instead of napping, and stay up late watching movies instead. If you have to balance a busy schedule, don’t ever leave out time spent with your closest friends, and make an effort to schedule them in. You won’t regret not making as much money or making a little lower on a test, but I promise you will regret not making the most of your relationships.
I will never forget my time at Harding, and if I had one regret it would be that I don’t have more stories to tell and more memories to cherish. Trust me, I have plenty, but those are two things you can never, ever have enough of.
