Wow, you guys. Wow. I mean, seriously. Can you imagine that only last year we were freshman, and now we stand on the brink of finishing our second year? It seems like our first half of college just flew by.
I think Jerry Garcia put it best when he said “What a long, strange trip it’s been.” The trip, of course, referring to these last two years. I think that that line, more than any other, captures what I’m feeling right now as every salient aspect of the trip, from it being long, to its equally noteworthy quality of also having been strange.
In some ways it almost feels like the end of an important chapter in our lives. Well, to be more specific, sort of like one of the chapters towards the middle of the book, right before the section where they have pictures from the movie that the book is based on, but an important chapter nonetheless.
It seems like we barely get to sit back and reflect on how we got to where we are. It seems like only yesterday morning we were all new students going to our NSO meetings and making new friends. The transition from first-semester freshman to second-semester freshman almost passed completely unnoticed, with only a three-week break to mark the passage. Before I knew it I was enrolling in classes for sophomore year, then came finals, then the next part is a bit hazy and next thing I know here I am, writing this piece.
I mean, sophomore year has its responsibilities; we’re not kids anymore like we were last year. Now there’s more pressure to find internships and everything. We’re finally out on our own in the real world, our first bittersweet taste of freedom still lingering in our mouths. Well, in two more years, at least.
These are certainly turbulent, dare I say enturbulated times, not like the breezy, halcyon days of our freshman year. Do you remember last year? It seems like so long ago-a dreamlike bygone era of going to parties with our entire floor, hanging out on the Harbin patio and GPB-sponsored events that you just wish would go on forever. Soon we’ll be set adrift in a summer job market that is a mere fraction of what it once was, out there making it on our own, with our parents only covering food and housing. Not to mention the added stress of going abroad or finding internships for those of us returning to campus. Somebody even told me we’re at war with Iraq right now. I mean, what’s that all about?
But there have certainly been good times too. Remember the time we got really drunk and thought it would be a good idea to go swimming in the fountain in Dahlgren Quad? Oh man, what a ballsy move, I mean, it’s right outside the Jes Res. I bet we’re the only ones crazy enough on this campus to have thought of something like that. Oh man, we were so drunk. I mean, dude. Seriously. Dude. Drunk.
I think of all the good times we’ve had at the Tombs (in another year or two we’ll actually be able to drink there!), all the Wisey’s sandwiches we’ve shared, all the times spent sunning ourselves on Copley lawn, all the parties we’ve been to and I grow nostalgic. Yeah, I know we still have two more years of doing those things and all, but still, you know? It’s like the man said, cat’s in the cradle, silver spoon, all that. Think about it.
I worry about next year, you know? I mean, I wonder if we’ll be able to keep it real if half of us are away studying abroad. Granted, it’ll be awesome getting bombed in Spain, I mean, like getting to see how people from a different ethnic and cultural background get shitfaced should be cool and all. But those of us that hate foreign languages, we’ll still be here. Don’t worry about me, though, I’ll be keeping it real. Yes, real is how I shall keep it.
I guess its about time when we realize we have to grow up and face real responsibilities as we make the transition from carefree childhood innocence to being mature and active participants in society. Faced with one of the most important passages of our lives from pre-adulthood into early adulthood, we are truly preparing to strike out on our own. Not like these freeloading seniors. God, I wish they would just shut up and graduate already.
Scott Matthews is a sophomore in the college and leisure editor of the Georgetown Voice. For a good time call
687-4343.
