Editor's note

Thursday, November 12, 2009

With my December graduation rapidly approaching, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what my time at the University means to me and what I’ll remember most about the past four and a half years.

It’s sometimes difficult for me to pull out specific events from the blur of classes, parties and all-night study sessions. But there are still things that stand out vividly in my mind as if they happened only moments ago.

I remember the excitement of storming the field at Memorial Stadium, being surprised by how massive the football players were, and watching as the crowd tossed the field-goal post into Potter Lake after a victory against Mizzou my freshman year. I remember the rush — and subsequent freeze — of blazing down a snow-covered Campanile Hill in a trash bag at 3 a.m. sophomore year. And I remember the complete bliss of watching the 2008 championship basketball game downtown my junior year before parading through the streets to celebrate. These are things I’m sure I’ll never forget.

Like many students, I came into college expecting not only to get an education, but to enjoy myself, make some friends and make some memories. And now that my college career is nearly over, I can see that my time outside of the classroom has been almost as valuable as my time inside of it. I know that in 20 years, I won’t remember what grade I received on any of my exams, but I will remember all the people I met here and the times we shared.

Check out Francesca’s story on page 5 about activities that some students see as essential to getting the full KU experience. Who knows, you may just find an activity that could turn out to be a highlight of your time on the Hill.

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