A lot has changed in three and a half years.
I’ve changed. I walked in as an impressionable and sheltered
introvert, unsure about myself and wary of change. I’d like to
think I didn’t let that get in the way of trying my hand at
different things. Much dabbling and several fumbles older, I’ve
figured that if there’s ever a time to ignore your mental excuses
for not doing something and get out of your comfort zone, this
is it.
My notions of what’s important in life have changed. No longer do the antediluvian borgs,
the creaking doors and the unappetizing dal limited irk me like they once did. There is of
course the side-benefit of a monk like equanimity one gains after seven semesters of
systematic deprivation. And while I doubt I’ll ever reminisce about the whimsical weather
and the maddeningly slow internet, I do know they won’t hamper me from fondly
remembering the good stuff.
from draconian gate restrictions and stringent punishments meted out to offenders, to the
more insidious effects of our own indifference to such regulation, there is a gradually
reducing sense of autonomy in our lives. The intentions may be noble, but we’re effectively
being treated less as adults by the day. I believe that it is this freedom that sets us apart, and
it would serve us well to guard it fiercely.
My expectations from college have changed, and it’s likely yours will too. This place is better
for some things and worse for others. And while I’m not advocating abandoning your
aspirations to tread off the beaten path, I’m saying life here becomes happier when you let
go of the little things you can’t change, go all out to change those you must, and aren’t afraid
of getting lost trying. I think you need to get lost sometimes to find yourself.
You’ve changed, too. I’ve been fortunate to have had such a frighteningly talented peer
group and seen you grow from strength to strength. Through all this change, I’m grateful for
the countless times you’ve had my back. You may have been the diverse, brilliant, freak endresult of a non-deterministic allotment process in our strange education system, but I cannot
stress enough how you will easily be the single most cherished part of my time here. You’ve
made sure I’ve never felt alone here in the middle of nowhere.
You’ve convinced me that no matter what, I can always get by with a little help from my
This college h