I don’t like to preach. In fact, I shy away from didacticism in my creative writing, academic writing and journalism to a point that often drives people crazy.
However, when I look back on my time at the University of Indianapolis, I feel compelled to point out two almost equally important lessons I learned.
First, people think differently—and that’s okay. Sure, this sounds simple. But it is fundamentally important to seeing what makes other people tick, then being able to work with them no matter what your difference of opinions. Some people are closed-minded—whether they’re conservative or liberal. I’m not denying that. But that doesn’t make them subhuman. The important thing is figuring out your own values, then learning the difference between standing your ground and simply being noisy.
Second, you can’t better yourself if you’re not trying to better the world around you. It’s impossible to fix the whole world, but you can significantly improve your own community. Don’t assume that just being at UIndy will make you a better person. If you want to make yourself better, work to make the campus community and surrounding neighborhood better.
So get involved. Take the lead. Continue the legacy that we seniors—and many more before us—have worked so hard to uphold. Because whether you are finishing your freshman year or graduated 20 years ago, you can still live by the motto: “Education for Service.”
– James Figy, Editor-in-Chief
Photos by Ayla Wilder, graphic by Stephanie Kirkling
Everyone is probably telling you right now that these will be the happiest four years of your life. What they probably aren’t telling you is that these also will be some of the worst years of your life. Sometimes the path will be clear. Some days you will stray. There will be times when you feel on top of the world, and times when you will feel utterly defeated (sometimes in the same day). So just try to remember that you’re not doing anything wrong if you’re having a hard time. And before you jump to any conclusions about how much happier everyone else is, and how much more fun they’re having than you, stop and take a closer look at those around you. You’ll be surprised by how many people feel lost and directionless.
– Kyle Weidner, Editorial Assistant
Now that I am graduating from UIndy in May, I am looking back at all the things that I have been involved in. I am thankful for those who helped me realize my potential and let me grow in these four years. My best advice is to get involved on campus: join an organization, participate in campus activities, take multiple applied courses and take the next step in being a campus leader. Those are the opportunities that can help you even after graduation.
– Stephanie Kirling, Art Director
I’m stealing this advice from my boy Bueller (as in the one who took legendary days off), but it captures the fleeting four years of your college experience: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Seriously, time flies, but college flies faster. Unfortunately, you are never going to experience anything like college again. College is a bubble detached from “real life,” its own happy alternate universe, the above-ground version of a pineapple under the sea. The cliché is true: These are some of the best years of your life. Now, as I look forward to graduation, I do so with the bittersweet hope that the years ahead will be even better than those I am leaving behind.
– Abby Gross, semester I Editor-in-Chief
When I first came to college, the depression and feelings of being an acned, shrinking violet of a high schooler came with me, and I was determined to blossom into something better. Smarter, hotter, more accomplished—you name it, I probably dreamed of it and strove toward it. Four years later, I can’t honestly tell you if I’m “smarter” without sounding arrogant or “hotter” without a co-worker laughing out loud, but I can say I’m more accomplished in a leadership capacity. And with the opportunities I’ve had on The Reflector, with CPB and in the jobs I’ve held on campus, I have learned one thing. College brings a lot of great times; it also brings a lot of crazy ish, which more often than not leaves me scratching my head saying, “WTF?” My parting advice to everyone reading this: laugh at the ish as it comes. Laugh in its face. Not only are you keeping your sanity, but in essence you’re saying to yourself and to life, “It’s difficult now, but I am not letting this steal my long-term joy, spirit and determination to come out on top and better than ever.”
– Allison Gallagher, semester I Entertainment Editor
My fellow Greyhounds, to you I say do not procrastinate. As I am sure you have your eyes set on the glorified senior year, do not forget you are not there yet. Senioritis is real and burdensome. Do not let yourself be weighed down by lack of motivation. Get things done early, so you can chill. Go out with a BANG.
– Ayla Wilder, Editorial Assistant
In my four years at UIndy, I have learned a lot, but one thing I have learned is to enjoy many interactions with people from all walks of life. Some experiences have been good, some have been bad, but everyone I’ve come in contact with has taught me something new. My advice to anyone in college or getting ready to go to college would be to embrace those interactions. You never know where they can take you and how they will help shape your life. Don’t be afraid to take chances. I never would have gotten to where I am now if I hadn’t taken a chance on something.
– Ally Holmes, Business Manager
