The Online Reflector

Business Manager Meisha Baker and Photo Editor Carolyn Harless share their senior wisdom.

By Meisha Baker & Carolyn Harless | Business Manager & Photo Editor

As we sit here, staring blankly at our computer screens, we have come to the realization that after four years of a college education, procrastination is STILL not the key to success. It’s the day before newspaper production, and we still have not written this article. In fact, we still have now clue what we’re even going to write. We thought about being serious and sappy, like in past issues, but that’s not who we are or what we do. On a more serious note, however, we have concluded that we have indeed learned much from our college experiences, seeing that it’s taken us four years to get to this point, which we all know is an accomplishment in itself. So excuse the cliché, sit back, relax, and enjoy the epic journey of Meisha and Carolyn.

Meisha:
Being in a math class in my senior year is not really the way I expected to spend my last semester of college. Looking back, I find there have been a lot of things I didn’t expect to happen. Freshman year, I was a business major, sophomore year, I was a communication major, and that’s the way it’s been for the last three years. I have had so many learning experiences being a communication major and that is my greatest pride as I transition to my next journey: life after higher education.

I now know what it means to be a good rhetorical speaker. I understand the difference between print journalism and broadcast television. People claim that one of them is better, but I still can’t decipher which because I enjoy them both. I understand that ratings equal revenue and that working in a group is not the most glamorous thing to do but a great thing to be able to do. I learned that senior project is not as bad as people say, but it can be, if you put if off until the last minute. I’m still a little on the fence about whether or not my resume should be more than a page, but I know that for certain occasions, your education history should be first. I just learned that if you let someone use your meal plan, it could be taken away. The list of my experiences and what I’ve learned at UIndy and in the communication department could go on for days, even years, so let’s just say I’ve learned a lot.

The ending of my story would not be right if I didn’t end with a quote. One of my professors told me to “work smarter, not harder,” and I always have taken that literally. As I write my last and final article for The Reflector, my mind is flush with all of the great memories and fun times that I’ve had here but Carolyn and I said no sappiness, so this is where the story ends. It’s been great.

Carolyn:
A very wise woman once told me, “You only need a C.” This advice came from the same woman who expected only straight A’s from her two children, while they were still in the womb! The same woman refused to tape a picture to the refrigerator if a crayon accidently made its way outside of the lines.  Okay, maybe that last statement was a bit of an exaggeration, but you catch my drift. So I decided to listen to that woman; besides, mother always knows best.

Once I stopped obsessing about having perfect grades and a perfect GPA, college became much more enjoyable, which is exactly how it is supposed to be. So, grab your pen and paper for lesson No.1 you only need a C. Now, this isn’t permission to stop caring about your education altogether, just a reminder not to stress about something future employers typically do not care to know. Passing grades are important for graduating, but forming new friendships, experiencing new cultures and gaining independence are important for life. College is more than preparing for the future; it’s also about living in the present, which brings me to the next lesson.

The inspiration behind this lesson comes from my favorite professor, yet another very wise woman. She would always sign the end of every e-mail, “Never house train your dreams.” Thus, lesson No. 2:  take risks, dream big and never let an opportunity pass you by. To emphasize this point, imagine the following:  an elephant, a teeter-totter and yourself. You occupy one end of the teeter-totter, waiting for an opportunity. The elephant walks over to the teeter-totter, sits on the other end, and you go flying past the elephant, or rather the opportunity. Without taking risks, I would be watching from the stands, instead of running on the track. Without grabbing every opportunity thrown my way, I would be looking at photographs of the world, instead of taking them myself. Without dreaming big, I would be traveling home to Fort Wayne after graduation, instead of traveling the world.

Meisha and Carolyn signing off:

Typically the business manager and the photo editor don’t write the senior remarks, and that’s because it’s now production Friday and we’re still trying to finish this. Maybe we should have started this three weeks ago, when it was first assigned. We’ve heard many words of wisdom throughout the past four years, and now it’s our turn to leave words of wisdom behind to you. We don’t recommend procrastinating until the last second, unless you’re as awesome as us. Trust us, we’re professionals.

Peace and Love UIndy. We’re out of here!

Carolyn and Meisha