Saying so long is the hardest part

Valerie Rojas, Editor in Chief
Valerie Rojas, Editor in Chief

It seems that at the end of every semester we all agree on one thing: Time really flies by.

It’s hard to believe that my last year at the University of La Verne is already halfway over. I only have a few more days left before I begin my last classes as a La
Verne student.

And as I write my last column for the Campus Times, I want to concentrate and make it the best one yet, but instead of allowing my brain to relax and get all creative-like, I can’t help but needle over the list of things I still have to do before I can officially call it quits for the fall semester.

I can’t help wondering how the end of the semester got here so quickly.

It seems that I have the longest list of projects, papers and final assignments to complete in a measly five days than I have ever had before. And I’m sure I’m not the only student feeling this way.

I swear, it seems like I must have lost a week somewhere along the way.

But all the stresses, anxiety and frustrations aside, I’ve got to admit I am pretty excited about nearing the end of my college career.

Sure, I’m a little terrified about actually having a real job in the world of journalism (if I can even find one) but aside from all of that uneasiness, I am incredibly excited to start the rest of my life putting all that I’ve learned at this place into practice.

But, there is one thing that makes me a wee bit teary eyed. Not to sound overly emotional, but I’m really going to miss this place.

Sure, it’ll be nice to get out of La Verne and say goodbye to core classes and parking problems. But it will be really hard having to say goodbye to some good friends that I have spent long, exhausting days with pondering over projects and deadlines. How can I say goodbye to the Bowl House, the ACB or a certain project that has consumed a huge chunk of my time at ULV during the last three years?

I have been a part of the Campus Times every semester since spring 2003 and I’m sad to say that this semester was my last. While there were some rocky semesters in the mix, this semester has definitely been the best.

I spent more time in ACB 118 than any person should ever spend in a classroom, but it has all been worth it.

I have made some incredibly awesome friends throughout past semesters and laughed at the most ridiculous things more than I ever have in my life. It will be tough not seeing the same group of crazies everyday.

Nila, Bailey, Yelena, Stephanie, Nicole, Tom, Steven and John: you guys have all been amazing to work with. Even though there were some really stressful production days, they were still fun because of all of you. The Campus Times will be really rad next semester under Nila’s leadership.

I have also relied on a really strong group of talented assistant editors and writers to help get this paper out every week, even if a good majority of the La Verne faculty and students think it stinks. We’re proud of our work. We do it well. And we have a blast getting it done.

It’s going to be hard when I don’t report to the newsroom every Monday and Wednesday at 1 p.m. next semester. Thursdays will probably feel a little weird since I won’t be cooped up in the same room staring at the same pages for more than eight hours.

While I won’t be a member of the staff again, I’ll still be happy that I was a part of it for as long as I was.

Even when I didn’t care for the workload so much and I may have complained about some things, I still loved being a part of this group and I will miss it immensely.

Valerie Rojas, a senior journalism major, is editor in chief of the Campus Times. She can be reached by e-mail at skalivornia@hotmail.com.

Valerie Rojas, Editor in Chief
Valerie Rojas
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