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May 26, 2006

Graduation Reflections

Graduation is tomorrow. I'm not quite sure what to feel about it. I guess it's cool that I have finished college, but mostly I feel sad to leave it all. I have really enjoyed my time at Biola and will miss everything. I feel like I will lose people and memories.

For all of you who have already completed this rite of passage, I wish I would have stayed better connected to you and better maintained the support of friendship as you moved into new, scary, independant-type things. And for all of you who graduate in the next year(s), here is my advice as you finish school:

-Take lots of pictures. You don't have to get them printed and make all those silly scrapbooks, just take them and save them, and look through them every now and then. Carry your camera with you everywhere. Remember happy times, snap goofy pictures of your friends. Don't worry about what people will think if you pull out your camera to take a picture of your favorite teacher, or that one tree on campus that you always liked--just do it.

-Do something crazy that you never have done (ok, now this is assuming you are like me and never take risks or do anything that could get you in trouble...). Go climb up on the roof of the cafeteria and throw paper airplanes. Leave your mark. Maybe even get caught and pay a fine. Your parents will understand, it's not like you're doing drugs...

-Know that it will end. But don't be so caught up in what it will be like not to be in school that you forget how great school really is.

-Homework is under-rated. How will you get anything done unless it is due? Plus, structure is an important habit.

-Dorm-life is the most unusual thing ever-- take advantage of how many people are around you and don't be surprised at the quietness of living with only a few people once you move out.

-Cafeteria food is really ok, and it's easy-- you try making a variety of delicious meals for 2000 people for one week and then let me know how you feel. Eat your vegetables-- they are expensive in real life.

-Go to chapel at least a couple of times your last semester. I know you don't have to, but just go.

-As with any new phase of life, give yourself a period to grieve the one you are leaving. When you graduated high school you promised some people you that would stay in touch, but you didn't. That will happen again and it's ok. But you don't have to be lonely, you have to be deliberate. Even if it isn't a permanent thing, make plans to see people on a regular basis. As you grow into your new situation, you can slowly ease yourself out of the old one. Don't let your sentiments bog you down. That's what the pictures were for-- look at them and laugh and smile and maybe cry, but leave room for new traditions and friends.

Ok, now granted I'm not even officially graduated, just take this as a reflection of the last couple of years and the expectation for the next couple.

-Libby

Posted by libbystokes at May 26, 2006 12:02 PM

Comments

Posted by: Drea DiLoreto at May 31, 2006 12:52 PM