Finally, May is coming upon us. As students, we're all wrapped in the flood of papers, projects, and presentations. In the chaos, it's easy to forget what's just around the corner. No, not finals (who could ever forget that's coming up?), but rather, the ceremony that follows that dreadful final week...graduation. Now, if you aren't nearing graduation, the ceremony is not likely to be on your mind. However, there is no discounting the impact that the ceremony will have on the underclassmen. It is a time where many of us will say goodbye to some of our closest friends and watch as they head out on their own. And it's a day that I have dreaded for a long time.
As a sophomore, the impact that the class of 2016 has had on me during my college career has been tremendous. It's easy to think that about any graduating class, but the role that each class plays in your life changes. For example, when I was a freshman (as a member of the class of 2018), these students were juniors. As a wide-eyed freshman, I hoped to find people I could learn from and connect with. No class fit this better than the juniors. The seniors were halfway out the door, and the sophomores barely knew what was going on any better than I did. Many juniors became mentors to me who I was able to learn from and still had the pleasure of connecting with for another year.
For the last two years, they taught me what to expect in each class I took. They recommended electives to me. I was shown opportunities in many places I never would have found on my own. They looked after me like their own younger brother. Whenever I needed help with anything, there was always someone around who could help in any given situation or had gone through a similar experience. There is no way to put into words how much I have been impacted by them.
So as the time dwindles down, let us not forget all the great times we have had with you guys, the class of 2016. The times spent sitting out on the porch at 3 a.m., hearing all of your old war stories start off with "when I was a freshman" or "when I was your age" (those phrases that made you really sound like senior citizens). Remember the times where you mooched off the excess meal plan money the freshman have. What about the nights where you played the "I'm a senior, I won't be around forever" card when I tried going to bed at a decent time. I don't even want to get started on the late-night card games (euchre anyone?). The "inspirational" moments where one of you would reassure me about a tough exam, while another would simultaneously tell me that I'm screwed.
Of course, there was more than just those fun times. When I had a rough patch, you guys were always there to walk me through it. Watching you guys succeed taught me so much. The things that many of you saw in me were more than I had ever seen in myself. You guys pushed me to places I would never have reached without you. (For example, I wouldn't be writing this if it weren't for your motivation.) Whenever I did something well, or extraordinary, the beam of pride I saw in the very people I looked up to was the most rewarding thing I had felt in a long time. It saddens me that you won't be around to give me advice or to see what I make of the lessons you have taught me. Hopefully, I can continue to make you guys proud. It's scary to think that in the next couple of weeks, I will have seen many of you for the last time. I can only hope that you won't forget the old friends back here when you are off doing great things. Here, there are many lifelong friends that will continue to carry you in their hearts. Take a long look before you ride off into the sunset, because you will be sorely missed.
Cheers.
