I
cannot believe that the end of the semester is approaching so quickly. It seems
like just a few weeks ago classes started and I began the junior year journey
that is now almost half over. I have learned a lot in all of my classes this
year but I have also learned a lot outside of the classroom. It seems as though
every single year of college accelerates exponentially. While most may think
that all of the pressure and work of school is horrible I have learned that it
is, in fact, quite amazing. Some people may call me crazy but I have learned
that I truly enjoy all of the work and stress of school. With the years flying
by it will over in the blink of an eye. I have to enjoy every second of it
because I know that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and once its over
I will never be able to experience it again.
I
have also learned that professors assign things for a reason. The last couple
years I would get frustrated with all of the assignments I saw as “busy work”.
I know realize that it is all for a reason and if you just sit down and dive
deep into the assignment you’ll surprise yourself how much you learn and get
from it. So instead of looking at how much I have to do and letting it stress
me out I now can now just relax and be excited and thankful that I have this
great opportunity to study at one of the best private institutions in the
country. Instead of being a burden I have learned that all of this is really a
blessing and I should have no other reaction then to be truly excited that I
even have the opportunity to be buried under all of these papers, tests and
projects.
This
semester I have also learned that I cant do everything by myself and that’s
completely ok. I used to have the hardest time asking for help because I just
expected myself to figure it out alone. Taking the more strenuous upper level electives
for my major I have learned that it is ok to ask my professors and fellow
classmates for help. It’s not giving up or being a failure but actually being
smarter. I have found that simply asking for help has allowed me to learn much
more than what I would have going at it alone. It is ignorant or arrogant to
think that I can do everything by myself and I need to take advantage of the
fact that I am surrounded by professors willing to teach outside of class other
students eager to learn.
It
isn’t just the things I learn in the classroom that I will use once I am out in
the real world pursuing my career. This knowledge that I have gained this
semester outside of the classroom is equally if not more important than the
material I have learned in class. I will no longer take things for granted and
cherish them while they are around because nothing lasts forever. No matter how
tough or frustrating something is I have to just realize that I may one day
miss it. While it’s sad that the end of my undergraduate career is approaching
with remarkable speed it is equally as exciting that the start of the next
phase of life is approaching. I am so excited to start my law school career and
do something a little different than what I have been for the past few years.
Don’t get me wrong I am in no way wishing away the time I have left here at
TCU. In fact, I am going to try to contain my excitement for what lies ahead by
concentrating and getting everything out of what’s happening in the now. These
final three semesters at TCU are going to be the best yet because I will be
able to take everything I have learned in and out of class and apply that
knowledge to enjoy the rest of school to the greatest of my ability.
Chad, I not only really enjoyed all that you touched on here, but I needed to hear it. I think it has become so normal for students to complain about how they are stressed out and have so much to do, but it is extremely rare to hear or see someone being so optimistic about having a full plate. I read this as I sat in the library procrastinating the amount of biology work I so desperately don't want to do, and I needed a reminder that I can either complain about or be grateful for the amount of learning opportunities I have been given. I'm glad you came to this realization and shared it because my first semester is already flying by and being taken granted. Thanks for reminding me that my grades are 5% intelligence and 95% attitude and work ethic.
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