Another school year has finally concluded for universities across the country. Finals are finished, grades are posted, and graduating seniors have said farewell to their school. They lugged their boxes and suitcases out of their dorm rooms or apartments for the last time. They have spent the past few weeks celebrating the end of their college careers. Graduation pictures are being posted all over Facebook and the next chapter of their lives officially begins now.
Over the past few weeks, I said goodbye to the seniors at my school and attended my brother's college graduation. They all were reminiscing on their memories together and were laughing at their embarrassing stories from freshman year. I also listened to them reflect on their college experiences and give advice to those currently still in school.
This advice is very valuable to me. College is only four years and I want to make the most out of the two years that I have left, so I listen to and read every piece of college advice that I encounter. However, sometimes college advice can often become redundant and commonplace. I know that I shouldn’t skip class, I should get involved, and I should go to professors' office hours. At this point, it is drilled into my mind. However the graduating seniors have given me advice that will always remain in the back of my mind.
They said to be spontaneous. Go on weekend road trips. Buy concert tickets. Do everything that your college city has to offer, especially if you’re not living there after graduation. Try new restaurants. Enjoy your free time with friends. Continue to make new friends, even if it is your senior year. Go abroad and see the world. Go on a crazy spring break trip. They emphasized that there is so much more to college than studying and getting a high GPA. While grades are very important, sometimes we tend to focus too much of our time on trying to get a 4.0 GPA, so we easily miss out on everything that college has to offer.
The seniors realize that our time in
college is precious and will fly by. Soon, we won't be able to go out four nights per week, dress up for ridiculous themed parties, or go on a wild spring break trip to Cabo or Cancun. No one should graduate with any regrets and this quote from Tom Petty sums that up nicely, "Work never ends, but college does."