Sonoma State Star

Issue date: 1/31/07 Section: Student Life

Daniel Esquivel

Seniors! Yes, I'm talking to you. Take a moment to sit and think about what I'm about to say: this is our last semester in college. Keep thinking about it. I want you to really think about the memories you've made over the past few years, and all of the fun you've had with friends. Are you thinking about it? If you are like me, you should be feeling a weird sort of gurgling in your stomach. May feels ages away, but before you know it, we will be walking down that aisle and entering "the real world."

Now, I realize that there are some seniors out there who I'm sure are thinking, "graduation cannot get here any faster. Peace out, Sonoma!" I, too, share similar sentiments in the sense that I am eager to see what life is like outside of the classroom. At the same time, I've been in school since I was four and now that I'm leaving it, what the hell am I going to do with my life?!

It feels almost ridiculous to think about how nervous I was leaving high school for college. Over the years, going to class has become a safety blanket, in a way. You were never really afraid of the next year because you knew you'd be just a grade level higher. You knew, for the most part, who your friends were going to be and what professors you were going to have. When living on campus, you knew you could set your alarm 15 minutes before class, brush your teeth, throw on your baggy sweatshirt, and head out the door. Those days are numbered, friends.

For some of us, grad school may well be the continuation of the safety blanket. I plan on going to grad school, but after being in school for the last, oh, 18 years, it's time for a breather. Let me get a taste of the real world and see if I enjoy it.

I've caught myself zoning out and imagining the job I'm going to have and where the hell I'm going to live and I must admit, it can be pretty exciting. For those of you who already have secured a job after college, more power to you (you lucky bastards). I wish I was at that point, but sadly, I'm still twiddling my thumbs stressing about the enigmatic future.

Let's state the obvious: May 26 is coming and there is nothing we can do about it. All we can do is make the best of our last semester. Go out and do the things you always wanted to do while you were here but never got a chance to. Get that tattoo you've always wanted or plan that Spring Break trip you've dreamed about.

Make the best of it, people. Even if you're not a senior and you still have a few years ahead of you, make those memories now. You know 20 odd years from now, you're going to be sitting around with some friends swapping college stories about your crazy nightlife or your roommate from hell. You only do the college thing once and after May, seniors, it's over. You have four months starting now. Go.

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