The
day after this year’s Columbia graduation, I picked up one of The Daily
Spectator’s newspapers to flip through while waiting for the M60.
Senior profiles were a new concept to me, and while I perused with one eye on
the street, an article caught my attention: a recent grad named Lulu was
discussing her community service on campus. In her interview, she said that
it totally shaped the next four years of her life, and for the better.
Well,
if you want me to tell you the truth, I felt empowered. Before she had even
gotten to Columbia, she felt that the university and the experience she had
there totally changed who she was and what she stood for. That could be me, I
realized. I could have a transformative experience, something really meaningful
that helped me carve a path for myself. This is a real opportunity for real
independence.
I
set the newspaper down and stared out at Ollie’s Noodles for a bit. All of a
sudden it hit me: what I’m going to be doing at Columbia is going to have a
real impact on the world. I could do great things for people, really help them
the way others have helped me or the ways I wished I could have been helped. I
could make some lifelong friends before school even starts based on our love of
outreach and aid. I want to connect with people who want the same good in the
world that I do.
When
the M60 finally broached the curb, I packed away my Spectator, thought of all
of the possibilities that Columbia posed, and was truly, honestly excited.
Wow the senior you read about sounded like she had an amazing experience at Columbia University and I am sure you are going to as well. I admire and I am inspired by the fact that what you are looking forward to in college is making a difference in others’ lives instead of just your own. Most high school seniors cannot wait to experience their own independence in college and explore their interests in different areas of study and activities. However, you are already thinking of ways to help others and there is no better place than New York, full of such a variety of a people that need support. I am also excited to finally get to New York and experience the amazing opportunities the city and university presents to explore our interests and help other people. Although I definitely have nerves when I think about college next year, reading this post as well as hearing about the amazing experiences of college graduates, I am also getting very excited for the year to come. I hope your experience in New York has been amazing over all and has only left you excited for your college experience in the big apple!
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