Blogging the day

Why is today significant?

Today, Fri. August 18, 2006 marks the beginning of the 2006 - 2007 school year. Tonight is Mustang Stampede and thus, the opening of the first full weekend back to school.
It is a time for incoming freshmen to learn about SMU, as well as themselves. It is a time for new beginnings and old traditions. It is a time for us seniors to reflect on our last three years here at SMU and to run full speed toward our last final lap around the track, hopefully to walk away with a degree, some life lessons and a handful of good friends.
My father always told me that if you can walk away from high school and/or college with a handful of friends with whom you intend to keep in touch with, then you should consider yourself a very lucky person.
While my dad's words stand strong, don't let them hinder you from meeting new people. Yes, we all fear and envy the freshmen, with their pre-15 lbs college weight bodies and the exciting four years they have ahead of them. But don't let that deter you from what we, as seniors, have to look forward to: the real world.
No, I'm not talking about the MTV series. I'm talking about the world that exists outside college, the world of opportunities.
Graduation isn't something to be scared of, but instead something to look forward to; it opens the door to so many possibilities. There is graduate school, job offers, traveling, new loves, anything you can imagine waiting for you after graduation.
My advice to the seniors is this: take advantage of every moment here at SMU and savor them as each one passes. Don't be afraid to meet new people, even if those people are freshmen. Spend as much time as you can with your friends and take an obnoxious amount of pictures, you'll be thankful one day.
Finally, you are a senior! By now you should have a deeper understanding of who you are as person; hold on to the character you've worked so hard to build. Remember who you are and stay true to yourself.
Good luck and best wishes!