2008 Woodie Awards
College goes faster than people think
By Jessica Rupell
Rocket Focus Editor
Issue date: 11/11/05 Section: Opinion
I am frightened. I am absolutely scared out of my mind. And I don't really know why. I seem to be doing fine. I mean, my grades are good, I am involved in campus activities, and I have met so many new and amazing people. Plus, I have been told that I have already gone through the scariest part of life so far, graduating high school and leaving home to enter a world where I know but a few people. In essence, continuing my journey into the so-called "real world."
Yet, with all the "real life" experiences I have gone through so far in my journey, I know there is still so much for me to experience, both positive and negative alike. I don't think it has sunk in yet that things at home will never be the same. That the breakups in high school, as incredibly heart wrenching as they were, will most likely be magnified in college, as this is the time in our lives that many find the one whom they will one day marry, or at least the one they think they will marry. That the friendships you claimed would last forever, won't. That the times you sat there and thought you had all the time in the world to figure out what you wanted to do with life have quickly turned into the times that you need to begin narrowing down your choices. This is the time to have the most fun in your whole life, but to also realize that in a few short years (some of you, less), we will all be on our own, each of us in our careers, and beginning our own families.
It's almost a contradiction in itself, the way that we are living with friends in this surreal world between being a kid and being an adult.
It's like you are supposed to meet all these wonderful people and experience four crazy years filled with parties, team get-togethers, roommate bonding and late night studying, and then, BAM! Before you know it, it's all going to be over and it's hello to the real "real world."
Suddenly, everything will change and be so much different than anything else we've ever experienced. Although I hope these friendships will stand to be much stronger than a majority of high school friendships, even these friends won't be around quite as much, as we further disperse ourselves depending on job location and marital status. And yes, I find that extremely scary.
Although it's kind of fun and interesting not knowing what paths your life will lead you and where you will end it, it certainly is frightening at the same time. Where will I end up? Who will I end up with? What will I be doing with my life? These are all questions I find myself asking, whether I want to think about the future or not.
However, I guess one day we must all face the fact that college, as wonderful and enriching as it can be, cannot last forever. As demonstrated in the 2002 hit, "National Lampoon's Van Wilder," although graduating college can be scary, seven years at a university isn't healthy either, and whether you want it to end or not, it must. As Robert Frost states, "Nothing gold can stay." Live it up my friends, for these next few years will fly by quicker than you can believe.
Yet, with all the "real life" experiences I have gone through so far in my journey, I know there is still so much for me to experience, both positive and negative alike. I don't think it has sunk in yet that things at home will never be the same. That the breakups in high school, as incredibly heart wrenching as they were, will most likely be magnified in college, as this is the time in our lives that many find the one whom they will one day marry, or at least the one they think they will marry. That the friendships you claimed would last forever, won't. That the times you sat there and thought you had all the time in the world to figure out what you wanted to do with life have quickly turned into the times that you need to begin narrowing down your choices. This is the time to have the most fun in your whole life, but to also realize that in a few short years (some of you, less), we will all be on our own, each of us in our careers, and beginning our own families.
It's almost a contradiction in itself, the way that we are living with friends in this surreal world between being a kid and being an adult.
It's like you are supposed to meet all these wonderful people and experience four crazy years filled with parties, team get-togethers, roommate bonding and late night studying, and then, BAM! Before you know it, it's all going to be over and it's hello to the real "real world."
Suddenly, everything will change and be so much different than anything else we've ever experienced. Although I hope these friendships will stand to be much stronger than a majority of high school friendships, even these friends won't be around quite as much, as we further disperse ourselves depending on job location and marital status. And yes, I find that extremely scary.
Although it's kind of fun and interesting not knowing what paths your life will lead you and where you will end it, it certainly is frightening at the same time. Where will I end up? Who will I end up with? What will I be doing with my life? These are all questions I find myself asking, whether I want to think about the future or not.
However, I guess one day we must all face the fact that college, as wonderful and enriching as it can be, cannot last forever. As demonstrated in the 2002 hit, "National Lampoon's Van Wilder," although graduating college can be scary, seven years at a university isn't healthy either, and whether you want it to end or not, it must. As Robert Frost states, "Nothing gold can stay." Live it up my friends, for these next few years will fly by quicker than you can believe.
