KEATON: Goodbye, CMU ... I may visit every now and then
This is an emotional moment for me right now.
As I am sitting here in my pajamas, not having to go to anymore classes for the rest of my life. A foreign notion to me still.
As a graduating senior, I am declaring this column a pseudo-graduation speech. An informal goodbye letter to CMU, my peers and whoever else decides to read this. Thankfully, you can’t see me tearing up.
In writing this, I had the opportunity to wax eloquently about my past endeavors, groups I’ve lead, awards I’ve won and lifelong friendships I’ve made.
But I won’t do that. I want to talk about how even as a senior, I get scared at times. Asking the universal question most 20-something-year-olds want to know: “Am I prepared for the real world?”
It seems that my adulthood snuck up on me quickly and that complete feeling of “a true adult” never really sinks in like it does in the movies.
But there are no cameras. It is my life. And since I stepped through the maroon and gold doors, I knew I would be leaving faster than I came here three years ago as a transfer student.
I can tell I have grown up in these short years but there is still so much I want to do. My classes have only created a deeper desire in me to be a lifelong student.
In my cultural anthropology class, I learned about the study of present-day human cultures while discovering what I love, turning this class into my minor. The little kid in me still wants to discover the world through a paper-towel telescope lens.
In my cultures of Africa class, I learned new routes my ancestors have gone through to get me to where I am today.
Even in French I learned to love the intricacies of a new language, and love their cheese.
But outside of the classroom I received at least 50 percent of my education.
Learning about cultures from places I never thought about, covering events that still leave me scratching my head, but I'm thankful I was able to experience it. And then there was connecting with a community such as Mount Pleasant where I could call home. I have learned that being a senior isn’t about being finished, but just starting. Being a real adult with bills and an education I will never take for granted.
Henry David Thoreau once said “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”
Since I have come to CMU I have lived and imagined so much within this campus. I won’t forget my dreams and I will go forth with confidence.
Goodbye CMU. You taught me well.
