Okay, so it's the Sunday before my last ever finals week, I sit here contemplating just about everything that has happened in the past 4 years. Right right, it's probably really annoying to constantly read and hear everyone talking about "whoah, graduating" or "where did these last 4 years go." But those last 4 years were spent galloping around Penn State, making new friends, sitting in class, and just.. life.
I came here to get an education, and well.. I got a damn good one. I was just discussing with my roommate the other day about how it seems that college students don't care about learning anymore, but more about getting that A and memorizing a book the night before the exam so you can pass the exam. Or that you can get that GPA to be accepted into your major. Did you really learn from that though? Sure, there are those pointless courses that I learned absolutely nothing from and learned how to multitask in class or how to plan out classes so you don't have to walk to the complete opposite side of campus. Or how any class before 11am you just wont make it to, or won't be awake enough to pay attention. I did learn, sometimes it's not going to be about the specific details of a novel that you remember, rather what you took out of that course.
And yes, for a lot of classes I did cram the night before and lost all knowledge of the subject two days later. But I have learned an incredible amount over the past years. As a psych major, can I spit out every disorder from the DSM(basically encyclopedia for mental disorders)? No. But I do know a thing or twelve-hundred more than I did in high school about psychology. Sure, now I can write research papers, or know a bit about conducting research. I still can't make good power point presentations, but thanks to course requirements, I am a better public speaker. But overall, I grew as a person. As in anyone's life, there were high points and low points but I battled through. No one said life was easy.
I really wish I wrote myself a letter before freshman year, and could look back and see how I was, what I wanted and if I've accomplished my goals. The reality of graduating has been hitting me very slowly. I suppose it will fully sink in?
Now, I'm getting ready to move out those dorm-room accessories that I brought 4 years ago and have kept since, job hunt, and soaking up those last moments in happy valley. As I was walking in the pouring rain today, I decided I didn't care that it has been raining for the past month - I was literally soaking up happy valley. (ha)
It's been quite a ride, Penn State. From toon-town, to an empty summer in happy valley with only my cousin, to a variety of great roommates, to loving psychology, to an adventurous summer in Europe, to all those activities... specifically CCSG and THON, to late nights and all-nighters, to the HUB, to some shitty semesters, to some of the best, to keeping in touch with friends and annoying them by calling them all the time and getting mad when they didn't answer the phone, to some of the most unique friends I have ever made, to the friendships that got stronger, to the happiest of all valleys. There are not enough words to describe the past 4 years.
Here's to you college and what you have given me. Thanks.
