With exams done and the craze of this past year behind us, we can all take a moment to reflect on what our time at college has meant to us so far. We’ve had countless crazy times, made some insane memories and met some pretty incredible people. What’s incredible is that this fall, many of those people who have made college what we know it as will be gone. They will be embarking on careers, networking or just chilling at home with Mom and Dad. Many of them will miss school and make an effort to visit from time to time, but it will never quite be the same.
You see, when we are all in school together, we are constantly connected under one identity and one purpose. We walk through each year together, whether it is in classes or in clubs and organizations. It is convenient for us to be around each other, and so building friendships and relationships is almost autonomous. But as people graduate, things quickly change. To build and maintain a relationship is not so easy anymore, and requires attention and effort. Visits become special, and often we become so wrapped in our own daily lives that we forget about the people that have helped forge our image of what college is.
These graduates literally created the community that we know and love. As they rose through the years they set new precedents for the community, and have pushed for changes across campus that we now take advantage of. They cared for us in our times of need and helped guide us throughout this year. These grads, and even the future graduates, are our mentors, friends, TAs, tour guides and confidants. They take the time to pour into us, so that we can help continue to make our community grow and progress as well. Without them, we would still get lost on our way to class and walk into Hokie Grill looking for Owens.
I think the important thing we need to keep in mind as we say goodbye to these grads is that at the end of the day they were all in our position at one point. They were always looking up at the next graduating class and seeking guidance and support. When they leave, don’t forget about them. Send them letters, call them and check in with them on the reg and continually remind them that are loved. These people unconditionally poured themselves out for us, so it wouldn’t kill us to make an effort to maintain their friendship. Stay in touch, and don’t let them go so easily, because sometimes it is better to hold on than to just say goodbye for the sake of saving face. If anything, we need to take a lesson from the books of these great grads: always reach out to those around you and make them feel loved. When you see that freshman walking alone and confused to class this fall, say hi and help them get to where they need to be. As Debi Mazar has said, “A hero is somebody who is selfless, who is generous in spirit, who just tries to give back as much as possible and help people.” Let’s be the heroes that the people of the Class of 2016 always were.
