Like most people that go away to a four-year college, my experience has had it's ups and downs. Of course, from talking to friends at other colleges and universities, i've learned that the Knox College experience is not typical. Over the past three years, there have been moments that I have regretted my choice to move halfway across the country for school. I considered transferring, considered taking time off, even thought about just taking a long weekend to go home.
But now, as i'm about to start my last year at Knox, I'm so happy that I didn't leave. I'm glad I stuck out the rough patches, and didn't give up on myself, or the old (soon to be) alma mater. Not that most of my college experience has been bad, most of it has been incredible. I've made friends that I will keep long past college, been to places in the U.S. that I never thought I would see, and had experiences that I wouldn't trade for anything.
Over time, I've made and lost friends, survived three midwestern winters, and passed seemingly impossible math classes. I've read books I never would have picked up myself, written countless critical papers, and even started my first book. I took an active part in the community around me, and gave everything that looked interesting a try.
Since my freshman year, i've seen the different ways senior year can go. You could stick to your usual crew, stay in on weekends, and withdraw, you could party all day every day and scrape through your classes, or, you can recognize this: Think about what you enjoy most about college. Do all of those things. See all of your friends, make new ones, go out when people invite you, or organize something yourself. Bring people together. Realize that, like over the last three years, moderation is key.
Concentrate on school, too. Do that research, apply for that grant. Maintain good relationships with your professors, they're there to help. Yes, you've probably gotten a lot of more difficult classes out of the way, in order to have a more relaxed senior year, but don't forget why you're at school in the first place.
Don't be the lazy senior. Don't forget about your younger friends, and invite alumni friends back to visit. Have homework parties, movie nights. Have good nights you'll remember, and even better ones that you won't. Have dessert with dinner, go out to your favorite places in town.
I know, a lot of these things may sound obvious. But, sometimes, we need to be reminded of the small things that are important. And that's what college seems to become, a series of small things that we end up taking for granted.
Leaving college can be emotional, and hard, but if you make the most of your last year on campus, you'll leave with enough memories to last a lifetime, or at least until you go back for homecoming.
