Amidst the chaos, find time for reflection
Jason Murray
Issue date: 4/24/09 Section: Opinions/Editorial
It's a shame that we leave Skidmore after the most stressful time of the semester. The last-minute e-mails, rigorous tests, lengthy final papers and exhausting presentations often leave us in a collapsed heap rather than filled with a proud feeling of accomplishment. Perhaps that's part of the reason why Senior Week started - to make the seniors' final farewell a little more relaxed, a little more memorable.
It's the light at the end of the tunnel, except that for many of us, that brief brightness is soon to be followed by the dark uncertainty of a prolonged job hunt. There are worse things, of course, but it's not the situation we imagined for ourselves four years ago. But for those of us who can set aside our anxiety, there are great opportunities ahead. While travel to Europe and other, more exotic, locations may no longer be financially possible, the prospect of a new type of post-graduate excursion is exciting.
After graduation, we will have few, if any commitments, and are consequently freer than we ever have been, or will likely be again. While we will go on to lead fulfilling lives, even the best jobs and happiest families are tied to one location. It's not a necessarily a bad thing; it's the societal norm.
As the prospect of it becomes ever more likely, the idea of cutting loose and reconnecting with the slower side of life is becoming incredibly attractive. Sure, it's not an ideal circumstance, but an opportunity for self-reflection should never be underestimated.
A professor once talked to me about the nature of regret, how we can wonder about opportunities we gave up, but never know if we would be happier had we made different choices. Every action, no matter how small, has impacts far beyond the scope of their cause. With this in mind, looking back at my four years at Skidmore, I realize that I have no regrets.
The time I have spent here has been some of the best of my life and the lasting relationships, valuable lessons and precious memories I've acquired here will follow me forever. I'll leave you with the same words my professor told me:
If you're happy with yourself and where you are, then you have nothing to regret.
Jason Murray is a senior English and Business double major and hopes someone will read this and hire him.
It's the light at the end of the tunnel, except that for many of us, that brief brightness is soon to be followed by the dark uncertainty of a prolonged job hunt. There are worse things, of course, but it's not the situation we imagined for ourselves four years ago. But for those of us who can set aside our anxiety, there are great opportunities ahead. While travel to Europe and other, more exotic, locations may no longer be financially possible, the prospect of a new type of post-graduate excursion is exciting.
After graduation, we will have few, if any commitments, and are consequently freer than we ever have been, or will likely be again. While we will go on to lead fulfilling lives, even the best jobs and happiest families are tied to one location. It's not a necessarily a bad thing; it's the societal norm.
As the prospect of it becomes ever more likely, the idea of cutting loose and reconnecting with the slower side of life is becoming incredibly attractive. Sure, it's not an ideal circumstance, but an opportunity for self-reflection should never be underestimated.
A professor once talked to me about the nature of regret, how we can wonder about opportunities we gave up, but never know if we would be happier had we made different choices. Every action, no matter how small, has impacts far beyond the scope of their cause. With this in mind, looking back at my four years at Skidmore, I realize that I have no regrets.
The time I have spent here has been some of the best of my life and the lasting relationships, valuable lessons and precious memories I've acquired here will follow me forever. I'll leave you with the same words my professor told me:
If you're happy with yourself and where you are, then you have nothing to regret.
Jason Murray is a senior English and Business double major and hopes someone will read this and hire him.
Be the first to comment on this story