Marquette has been my home for the last four years and I've had a fabulous time of it. For those here for another year or more, make the most of it. College is a brief, beautiful time in your life where you, not your parents or boss, are in control. You can sleep until eleven, finish classes at two and still be able to call it a full day's work.
There are a few lessons I've learned while here that are relevant for everyone. The first is do your work. I know this sounds preachy but waiting til the last minute never helps anything. It's pretty sad to think I'll actually miss Raynor. When I think of all the hours I spent transfixed in front of a computer screen for hours on end-on second thought, I won't be missing the library.
The second lesson is go out. This sounds vague but it isn't. It's all well and good to spend a Friday night in and order a pizza but when you go out, you'll never know what will end up happening and who you'll run into. I remind myself of this every time I feel the desire to don my slippers and flip on a cheesy Lifetime movie. I don't care how convincing the oldest sister from Full House is as a teen runaway, I'm young and I'm going to make the most of it.
The third is find and maintain gainful employment. Even if you don't need the money-and who doesn't need the money in college?- a job is a productive and lucrative way to spend your time. Heck, you may even make friends at work. I know I did.
In closing, I would like to thank everyone who took the time to read my column. With any luck I made at least a few of you chuckle, perhaps even reflect on matters that affect our fine, Jesuit community. I've had a wild ride at Marquette from an intimidated freshman, to a junior studying abroad to my final, bittersweet days as a senior. There are people here I will never forget and invaluable lessons learned both in and outside of the classroom. I will miss this university and the friends I've made along the way but rest assured I will never be quite done milwaukin around.
This viewpoint appeared in The Marquette Tribune on May 2 2005.