She Said: College lessons learned as the final day nears

Any college senior will tell you that they wish college could go on forever and that they are living in denial that it will end. Four years at one school and you begin to feel at home on the campus and all too comfortable living a college lifestyle (hence the growing popularity of super seniors). However, I am beginning to see the warning signs that my days at Fairfield U. are numbered. At the bar this weekend, what must have been a new junior to the scene approached me on the basis of recognizing me from this article. I figured the kid could use a friendly hello, maybe a house shot at the bar or something to feel welcome, so I shook his hand and introduced myself. I was not prepared for his “don’t bother, you are graduating in three weeks” response and as he walked away I could only mumble thanks for the cold dose of reality, you unidentified newly 21-year-old s.o.b. Other warning signs of seniority have come in the form of denials from the ATM for taking out cash, parents telling me I have one more dental and doctor appointment before I lose health coverage, having to call and cancel beach house utilities, thinking I could very possibly make it to graduation before having to do laundry again, and fostering a carefree attitude toward the new holes and stains left after parties because it is clear no security deposit will be returned at this point. This being said, the warning signs come as bittersweet. I will miss this column and getting to reflect on all the things that are so college and Fairfield in a way that I hope has not been cliché. Despite popular belief, I will also miss working with Chuck and his….errrr, challenging writing tactics. I will miss our habitual “brainstorming” and planning sessions where I end up writing a column shaped around a line Chuck wants to write, like “I love it when you wear panties, I love it when you don’t wear panties.” True, harsh words may have been exchanged in the past, but I have grown accustomed to these fighting days of personal attacks and perpetual debates over whose column is read more. As I get ready to delete the “Mirror Articles” folder on my desktop, I realize I have written 26 columns with almost no legitimate advice or insights that is usually required for an advice-like column. My final words, then, to the females in the class of ’06-’08 are don’t sweat petty things and don’t pet sweaty things….and even that is open to interpretation.