Everyone told me college would go by too fast. They failed to tell me it would go this fast. It seems only yesterday I was a wide-eyed freshman trying to remember how to get to North from Knott, the names of everyone I met and most importantly, all the traditions of what not to do. Step on the grass on God Quad, walk up the front steps of the Dome, let a girl walk you around the lakes holding hands and then kiss you under the Lyons arch, something or other about McGlinn girls (“Or was it Howard?” “Wait, who’s Howard?”), etc.
Yet here I am, a few reading days and one finals week away from surviving my first year at Notre Dame, still on track to graduate on time (knock-on-wood). And what a year it has been. I think everyone should take a moment and reflect on his or her year here and what has all happened, good and bad. Here are a few of mine.
I have made new friends from all over the globe. If you take the time to think of all the people you have met here, chances are you will be able to count friends from at least a dozen countries ⎯ I think my last count was 17. And I now know that if I’m ever in Chicago ⎯ or, well, a suburb of Chicago ⎯ I probably have 20 different places to stay.
I switched majors, but who hasn’t? I think a couple of my friends are on their fourth or fifth, and another still has no clue what she wants to do.
I bombed a test (or two). Well, at least, “bombed” meaning a C, but that’s still an experience that most of us had never had before we came here.
I sat front row for four or five home football games. I even caught that great touchdown pass to TJ Jones on video under the lights against USC. It’s upside down, but who cares?
I went to all but five home hockey games, and I got a few other people bitten by the hockey bug along the way. I was even fortunate enough to work with Mr. Gilbert and the other hockey managers, and I can’t wait to work with them again next year.
Finally, I joined The Observer staff as an interhall football writer where I learned trying to hold a pen and notebook on a cold and windy November evening is pretty awful, but at least it keeps you battling enough that you can’t focus on the fact you can’t feel your toes. Sort of. Now though, thankfully, I work in a heated office and the Eck Tennis Pavilion.
So there are some of my paper-friendly experiences that have made this year go by so fast. Take a moment to think about all the experiences that have made this year great for you and share them, like I had the pleasure of doing.
It’s O.K. to be jealous that it was my job to do so, though.
