For the first time in my life, I dreaded the arrival of spring. It’s not that I don’t welcome the warm weather, but spring means second semester, second semester means graduation and graduation means the end.
For a long time, it seemed as though I would never be a senior. I never thought I would be at an age where I could get into the Grape or spend Saturday afternoons at the Point; it just seemed so far off.
But now, with Mock Wedding tickets in one hand and Senior Week tickets in the other, I’ve come to face the truth that I’ve been trying to avoid for so long – it’s nearing the end of my time in college.
I’m scared as hell, to be honest, at the prospect of leaving Fairfield come May 18.
Fairfield has become my home, and the class of 2008 has become my family. Among the 900 or so members of my class are my housemates, my classmates, both of my short-term and perpetual crushes, my neighbors and my friends.
I’m used to seeing these people crowded at the same bar or the same house every weekend for the past four years. Will we really soon just have one weekend in October when we try to relive the dream?
I suppose the downfall of college is that, eventually, you have to graduate.
The despair I feel when I think about graduating does not overwhelm the amazing four years I have had here, but how do you say good-bye to what everyone always tells you is the best four years of your life?
We’ve all been trying to avoid this reality, but that doesn’t change the fact that on May 19, we’re going to wake up, not as Fairfield students, but as Fairfield alumni – that we’re all going to lose the title that helped define us for the past four years.
I wouldn’t give up the past four years here for all the money in the world (not even the $120,000 this place cost my parents). I know a lot of people who are looking forward to graduating college – but not one of them seems to go to Fairfield.
Every Fairfield senior I’ve met seems to share the same thought process: Sad to leave and jealous of every lucky underclassman that gets to stay. I know it says a lot that I’m sad and not excited to leave Fairfield behind.
We’ve had the time of our lives here and I’m sure we have a pretty insane month ahead of us.
I’m going to fully enjoy it, but that doesn’t mean that every night I spend out with the group of people I’ve grown to love.
I’m not going to be a little nostalgic and a little sad. Because the fact of the matter is I’m going to miss this place.
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