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Was it just yesterday that Adam and I were parking in the Floyd Street parking lot, when Cardinal Park was a dream and Rick Pitno wasn’t possible? Was it just yesterday that my team lost the championship in extra innings at an intramural softball game? Was it only yesterday that I was interviewed by Michael Tynan to be a Cardinal news reporter? Gosh it seems so.
Four years have just been added to my list. Four years of college life that was filled with friends, football games, parties and deadlines. Four years have seemed to slip by without me even noticing. I can’t believe that this is it. This is where it all adds up, what have I done in my time at U of L that is going to take me to the next level of life? What will the title of my next chapter be? Even now, with graduation beating down my door I have no idea what I am going to do now that college is over and I am faced with what everyone calls “The Real World.”
So many people have said to me, “oh you’re graduating? You are so lucky!” Lucky huh? I think if I had a job secured, a million dollars, and some form of living security I would agree that I am in fact lucky. No I do not have a job lined up, I still owe another year on my car and I have no idea if I am going to stay living at home.
I have let myself down, I have procrastinated on my future and now it might be too late to do anything about it.
A friend once told me that procrastination is like masturbation, it’s pure pleasure until you realize that you just screwed yourself. And as I think about that I realize just how true that really is. I have procrastinated my way through college. I waited till the night before to study for every single exam I have ever taken. I write all my term papers the day before and every newspaper I have been responsible for has never made it to the printer on time. Even now I have procrastinated my way up to graduation and have not yet ordered my cap and gown (I am about two weeks behind the deadline). And as the quote says, it was pure pleasure. My motto has always been, “procrastination is the key,” because I have always seemed to work best at the last minute with a deadline breathing down my neck. However, at this moment in my life with the biggest deadline staring me in the face, I find myself crumbling.
This year has been the toughest of them all. I took over the reigns at the Cardinal and have managed to make it through. Sure I was called every name in the book and seem to have more enemies on this campus than I have friends, but that is what makes me a stronger person. It is what makes me who I am and able to continue to do the things I can.
The Cardinal has been one of the most rewarding challenges of my college career. After thirty three issues as Editor and over one hundred issues as a staff member I have accomplished a lot. I can look back and say that I have left my mark on this University. That brings a tear to my eye, that I did make a difference here. Now can I make a difference in the world?
That is a challenge I plan to start working on today! I have wasted too much time putting the important things in life off. It is time to grow up and make every moment count.
To everyone out there: Thank you for being you. However many years you have left at the University, make the most of it. Make every class, every lecture, every single moment, make it count. Walk away from every situation with something that you can use in the future.
It will make you a stronger person and when the time comes for you to accept your diploma, you can smile and say that you too made your mark at this university and you are ready to take on any challenge life throws at you.
Sarah V. Dailey is a senior communications major and editor-in-chief of The Cardinal. Contact:
cardinal_eic@hotmail.com
