Well, I’ve just started my last semester as an undergrad. It’s still rather hard to believe I even had the opportunity to come to a place like the College of Charleston. I never even thought about college when I was in high school. Not that I necessarily thought about specifically not going, but I just didn’t give any thought my future. Thankfully, this changed when I got the opportunity to go to Early College, which was a program that, in partnership with a local community college, awarded its participants with a free Associates degree in exchange for attending what was technically high school for a year longer.
Even then, I figured I would just get a technical degree (in surgical technology) after graduating. I had vague ambitions for going further, but honestly, had I stayed on that track, I am dubious as to whether or not I actually would have gone. More likely that I would have stayed in surgical technology, perhaps moving up some eventually, which is completely fine, but it wasn’t for me.
Once I decided that I didn’t want to be a surgical technologist, I joined the Navy. I didn’t seriously consider going to a four-year university, for a few reasons. I was burned out, I didn’t know what I wanted to do (not that many people do anyway,) I didn’t have anyone to push me to do it. Which is, again, fine, because going to a four-year college is not the only way that one can succeed in life (though I certainly hope it helps!).
Alas, that didn’t work out either. I made it until a few days before the end before it was discovered that some necessary paperwork had never been processed or collected or whatever word you want to use. So, instead of getting the paperwork, I was told that I would be sent home and that if I so desired, I could reapply in six months.
And THAT is when I came to find myself here at the College of Charleston. And I feel so fortunate to have been able to come here.
Hands down, the most valuable part of my experience here at the college has been the amazing professors. I know that my thinking has changed so much (for the better) since I first came here. I’ve learned so much, and I really feel like I’ve learned how to think critically. I remember thinking at first that it was odd that the professors were so nice and so willing to talk to the students outside of class. I was so amazed that everyone had doctorate degrees. And every semester, I have been so inspired and motivated by my professors. There have only been two that haven’t accomplished that for me, and while my time in those classes often served to frustrate me, I feel lucky to only have had to suffer through two, because that means I’ve had at least ten amazing, wonderful professors and at least ten perhaps not wildly inspiring, but still good, ones.
I just want to write this as thanks for the professors who have often worked incredibly hard and tirelessly to help coax my budding intellect/mind/etc. into something that is at least on its way towards blooming. And to say that it isn’t blooming already is just because knowledge and thinking and so on aren’t things that can be gained quickly over the course of a couple of years, but rather throughout one’s entire lifespan.
I will say, however, that as I begin this final semester, and feel the somewhat giddy and nervous excitement of preparing to venture forth into the “adult” world, I also feel that I can comfortably metaphorically stand firmly on two feet with more confidence in my abilities and the things that I have done than I did when I first came here, and perhaps ever.