On Being a Senior

Tonight I was reminded why I love UNC-Chapel Hill.

I went to a dinner party for New York/New Jersey students who are going to be freshman in the fall. As I am standing there answering questions about what meal plan to get, what classes to take, and why it's not normal to declare your major as a first-year, I'm thinking to myself, "You aren't in that same place anymore. You are a senior. You're about to go somewhere."

And then the senior questions began. 

What are you majoring in? What are you going to do with that? Why non-profit? What are you doing in May when you graduate? Are you going to miss Carolina?

Okay! Okay! People, enough with the pressure! 

Many of them had attended orientation already and one mother even said that her son was absolutely enthralled with the school as soon as he stepped on the campus, even whispering during orientation, "Mom, this is the place for me and I never want to leave." 

Neither do I, brother. Neither do I. 

But alas, the big world and life are summoning me onward to another chapter of my life. 

But while I stood there with these new Carolina Tar Heels and I elaborated on the amazing parts of living in the crappiest dorm on campus with a thirty minute walk to classes, I stopped dead in my tracks. I looked at them and thought, "You are so lucky and you have no idea. Forget about the food in the cafeterias that make you not want to eat and the walk that leaves you in need of a shower because you, my friend, are about to enter heaven on Earth."  

 

So my advice for the new Tar Heels? Don't declare your major your first year. Just take 12 hours your first semester. Don't try and prove anything. Just be who you are and meet people. Go to every football game and every possible basketball game. And, most importantly, lose all of your background with the other, darker blue-- It won't help you make friends. Don't study too much. Don't party too much either. But stay up late and make friends in the hall lounge, act silly with your suitemates, and make late night runs to Cook-Out because those are the memories you are going to remember the most.  

Let's just not use the words "senior" or "graduate" in front of me. Okay? Unless of you course want tears-- just kidding.
Congratulations, new freshman. You are SO lucky. Enjoy.