College is more than a place: it’s an experience.
Students say all the time that they “go to college” and that may be true. Whether it’s in your hometown or 1,000 miles away, college is so much more than a place to study. People attend a university to get an education. The education they receive, however, is not limited to academics.
I have enjoyed my five years at Ferris because of the things I have learned and done. I’m not proud of everything I did, but I can say that I had fun and made some memories. I’m not saying go out and wreak havoc every night, but you have to live a little.
College life allows students the chance to discover themselves and to grow into the person they will be for the rest of their lives. Most of us are immature kids when we come to college, but we pick up a few things along the way and eventually grow into relatively mature adults along the way.
Make sure you get involved in as many activities, organizations and clubs as you can. Don’t get spread too thin, but certainly don’t sit on your hands at home every night. Getting involved will allow you to meet new people that, in many cases, will be your friends for the rest of your life.
I don’t consider myself an outgoing person, but I have gotten involved in a few organizations on campus and have learned how to communicate effectively with people.
When it is all said and done, it really doesn’t matter how many parties you go to or how many events you attend. It’s about doing things with the people you enjoy spending time with. The next person you meet could be the person you spend the rest of your life with.
The end is bittersweet for me. I’m excited about the opportunities ahead, but I’m sad to leave many close friends.
For those who have a year or more left in college, enjoy every minute of it. You may have three or four years left and at times it will seem like it will never end. I can promise that your final years will go faster than you think.