As the days grow warmer and the sun stays around longer, I realize that my time here at the University of Pittsburgh is shortening. In just three weeks I will be graduating from this illustrious institution and I am filled with all sorts of emotions just thinking about it.

Four years ago I did not want to come to college even though I was a pretty good student in high school. I had no idea what I wanted to major in, no idea of what I really wanted to do in life, and a million “hobbies” I wanted to pursue, but couldn’t because I had to study all the time.

But alas, I am here four years later realizing that I have enjoyed my time here immensely. I have many great friends, I have learned so much, I have a full repertoire of experiences that I could entertain you for hours with.

Most of all, my mom, who is a teacher herself, is proud of her son and his accomplishments. I am glad she motivated me to stick with it even though I wanted to drop out after the first semester.

I have come to an understanding that anything important in this life is only accomplished through hard work. We strive to make our lives as easy as possible, but true success is found in the road less traveled.

We each have to find our own way and although I still do not have a clear view of my calling, I know I am heading down the right path.

I majored in political science, but what I really majored in was life. I took classes ranging from Chinese to World Politics, Architecture to Medieval History, Astronomy to Physics, and Cultural Anthropology to Public Policy Analysis. I feel like I have taken it all. My only wish is that I would have taken some of the harder sciences such as Advanced Calculus and Chemistry.

When my friends were complaining about how hard Organic Chemistry was I was very tempted to take it just for the challenge of it. And is that not what life is about? Meeting challenges head on and triumphing over them?

My next challenge is to enter the working world and be one of the most successful and productive persons in my field. I just have to choose what that field will be.

And why should I pick one? Do they not say that the average person changes jobs about seven times in their life? I just want to get out of life as much as possible.

Most likely I will get little, if any, use out of my political science major. I am realizing that I need to be a person who works with my hands, whether that be playing music or building houses. After all these years I am seeing myself clearer and seeing what I am made to do clearer.

Many people are too afraid to explore their inner selves to discover who they really are. They choose an occupation because of money, prestige, ambition, etc., but I believe God created us to do what He created us to do, and if we do anything else we will not be happy with our lives or ourselves.

So that is where I am now. Things are not being finished, they are only getting started and I am excited about what the future holds for me. If the average person lives to be eighty, then I have at least sixty years to explore and enjoy all the wonders of this beautiful world before I enter the next.

I wish the best for all my fellow seniors and for all those I am leaving behind. I wait for the day when we meet again and we can tell each other the stories of success we have written in whatever field of endeavor we have chosen.

Lastly, I have to thank all my friends at Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, for the University of Pittsburgh, and most of all, my mom, for helping me to grow. Peace!

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PITTSBURGH STANDARD

IMPRESSIONS

Pitt senior reflects on his four years of college

Jeremy Day

Editor in Chief