Seniors typically write their final pieces about what it means to be graduating, what they’re most going to remember about college, how they’ve changed, what it feels like to be entering the real world, how they’ve learned from their friends and what they feel like using their $150,000 brains for after getting their diplomas.
Sounds like a good approach. I guess I’ll do the same, but with a little twist. So let’s go in order:
What it means to be graduating
Typical answer: I feel like I’m ending one chapter of my life and beginning another one. Things will be different now that I’m my own person and I’ll be living on my own. Hopefully, I’m up to the challenge.
Real answer: Seniors, we’re definitely ready for the challenge. Graduating from one of the top schools in the world means that we’re ready for whatever life throws at us. And let’s dump this myth that we’re not our own persons: We’ve been living on our own for the past fours years; we’ve traveled throughout the world, learned new languages and made a whole host of new friends that might even be closer than our high school friends. We’ve done well, seniors, and we’re going to continue doing so.
What we’re most going to remember about college
Typical answer: Meeting all sorts of people who challenged our beliefs and made us broaden our perspectives about the world around us.
Real answer: Yeah, that too, but let’s not forget going to Tombs on ‘80s night. That music rocked! Plus, living in Washington, D.C.?I mean, where else are you exposed to such a vibrant social life as well as the great national debates of our time. That’s what I call a great four years!
How we’ve changed
Typical answer: We’ve learned to appreciate various cultures and different modes of thinking, and while we may find problems with the Catholic faith, some of us have grown a steady appreciation for the core Jesuit values that have shaped the development of our own ideas.
Real answer: That too, but I’ve also noticed that our class is dressing in a more Euro style. Black pants and Diesel jeans are becoming the norm for going-out attire. I remember the days as a first-year when khaki pants and polo shirts were standard dress. But now, class of 2002, we’ve definitely diversified ourselves. That’s worth celebrating.
Entering the Real World
Typical answer: It will be difficult leaving the comforts of college life for the uncertainties of the outside world. Outside Healy Gates, we’ll have to start making tough life-choices.
Real answer: I’d argue that there were plenty of uncertainties about everyday college life. Remember, for instance, those times that different groups of friends were throwing different parties?one in Village A and one on T Street. Of course, you dreaded the prospect of heading to the party on T Street, only to find that it sucked, and then having to walk all the way to Village A. So you had to closely evaluate what party would probably be most fun, based on your friends’ party-throwing capabilities and choose accordingly. In fact, remember this logic for our last few weeks: there’s a limited number of parties left, so make sure you pick the best ones.
What we’ve learned from our friends
Typical answer: Every day, our friends challenge us to better ourselves. They also provide an important social component to our lives at Georgetown, which complements the rigors of intellectual life.
Real answer: Yeah, that too, but my friends have helped me diversify my once-limited taste in music; before this year, in fact, I thought “ludicrous” was just a useful word to denote a statement that was “hilarious because of its obvious absurdity.” I just jumped on the Linkin Park bandwagon a few weeks ago, and hopefully, I’ll soon have a well-rounded, cool music personality. Thanks, friends!
What about our $150,000 brains?
Typical answer: However I use my Georgetown education, it will be in the service of others. Discourse, contemplation and the search for truth?these Jesuit values will guide me for the rest of my life.
Real answer: We’re some of the most well-educated 20-somethings in the world. And if you head off to graduate school?then your brain could be worth upwards of $300,000. Think about it, then you’d be unstoppable. Our brains will be worth more than the president’s salary. We can do whatever we put our massively expansive minds to.
Good luck, seniors. Enjoy your last few weeks.
Brian Zuanich is a senior in the School of Foreign Service and a contributing editor of The Georgetown Voice.
