Tomorrow marks the culmination of my five years in college, three of them spent here at Western Michigan University. It’s been an experience… a good one in the end, though it wasn’t always fun. I know a lot has happened during my time here, but it doesn’t feel like I’ve accomplished much.
That isn’t true; I’ve made some unlikely friends, won awards, excelled at courses, instructed professors, recreated a college website, designed a college logo, wasted time, laughed as others stressed out over exams, nearly died trying to complete four foundation art courses and an advanced computer course in one semester, took a single class for a Writing minor I ditched in favor of an Art minor, enjoyed spending time with roommates, hated them not long after, procrastinated, explored the entire campus on foot, considered changing majors, enjoyed Midnight Breakfast, witnissed the rise and fall of Movie Night, been bested at Mega Man 2, conquered a number of video games, watched a lot of anime, made a lot of mistakes, made a handful of good choices, and loved and despaired—at the same time, no less—more than I ever thought possible.
It’s been quite the ride, and part of me is glad it’s over. I don’t think I’d be able to take much more of the bullshit anyways; if the idiots and the courses don’t kill you, university administration certainly will, and I won’t miss dealing with Western’s insanity on a daily basis. I’ll despise Clean Access Agent until the day I die, and there are a couple of professors I hope I never see again.
Part of me wishes it didn’t have to end. I actually enjoy school; not being in school is going to be very strange. I’ll probably never see some of my best friends ever again, and I really will miss dorm life and the campus atmosphere. I didn’t get involved as much as others, but that doesn’t meen I didn’t enjoy it just as much. I’ll miss all-nighters, snow days, and pack-muling.
I have only one regret.
I knew this day would come, though. It doesn’t make it much easier, but now it’s here and I’ll keep going. It’s my fatal flaw: I never know when to give up.