I spent a lot of time pondering what I would write about for my last Campus Times column.
I knew it had to be something that I would remember, something that would put a triumphant end to my five semesters on the staff of the Campus Times.
But instead of researching the facts about SARS or the latest news about the war on terrorism, I have decided to speak from the heart to the people whom I have spent the last four years of my life with.
Seniors, we are finally here. It is the end of everything that we have ever known, and the beginning of what we have always wanted. It is finally the time for us to branch out and become independent thriving individuals. It is time to separate from our friends and family and truly discover what it means to be a college graduate.
Despite the frustrations that I have had during my four years here, I have to admit that there is nowhere else that I would have rather spent my time.
Sure, the hours spent at Woody Hall will probably not top off my list of top 10 places in La Verne, but hey it’s not the worst place I have ever been.
I have gained immense knowledge. I have had so many laughs; I have developed great relationships with my professors, and most importantly I have made life-long friends.
It is those friends that I will have such a hard time saying goodbye to in a week. (I just hope they remember that it is not goodbye, rather see you later BF Cubed, I love you!)
Graduating from college is an intense feeling. I know what some of you are saying, “What the heck is she talking about; I can hardly wait to get out of here.”
But before you go and wish it away, leave this to thought, who would you be without having these experiences? For instance, just think, how much have the people you have met impacted your lives?
I know I think about that a lot. Has college changed me? The answer: completely.
I have become a more driven and conscientious student. I have become secure in my talents as a writer and less afraid to voice my opinion.
These are all traits that I have gained through my four years here.
I remember coming into La Verne not knowing a soul.
Like it was yesterday, I can still remember lining up at the rock for freshman orientation with my parents in tote (for personal security reasons).
I can still recall the overwhelming feeling of packing up my room and leaving home to venture over a thousand miles away.
And now after four years, I am packing up my dorm room, with the uncertainties of what the future holds.
And I am O.K. with that.
I enjoy exploring the possibilities of what life could have in store for me; it’s a rush.
I have spent the last month stressing over final projects and paper, and in the midst of all that chaos, I have spent very little time realizing how much I am going to miss this place.
I never thought I would say this, but I love ULV, and all of its imperfections.
So as we dress in our academic regalia Saturday, with family, friends and faculty watching on, stop to think about all that college has offered to you; how it has changed you; how it has prepared you for the real world and how much you are going to miss the food at Davenport. (I know I took that one step too far!)
Amanda Stutevoss, a senior broadcasting and journalism major, is editorial director of the Campus Times. She can be reached by e-mail at astute4@aol.com.
Journalism operations manager at the University of La Verne. Production manager and business manager of the Campus Times.