The Online Reflector

The last four (or five) years at the University of Indianapolis have taught us many lessons. We have had valuable internship experiences and made wonderful friendships. As we embark on our new journeys, we know that we are leaving The Reflector  in the good hands of our talented colleagues. We are confident that we will be professionals in our fields of choice thanks to the guidance and expertise from our talented faculty. There is not enough space to sum up our experiences, but here is a little helpful advice we hope you will take to heart.

Make up your mind.

I know everyone tells you it is OK if you do not know what you want to do in college. And it really is. But my desire to want to do everything in the world led me to change my major twice and still end up as a dual emphasis major with a minor. Do you know what that means? Seventeen credit hours my last semester at UIndy. I do not wish that fate upon any senior. Go with something you love and do not worry about how practical it is. Oftentimes, jobs do not directly correlate with one’s major anyway. Failure is not an option when you are passionate about what you are doing.

Experience other cultures.

UIndy offers many chances to go abroad, whether for a whole semester or just a Spring Term. Travel scholarships are available and while you are in college is the perfect time to go see the world. However, even if going abroad is not for you, people from many different countries study alongside you in classes. Get to know them. Learn from them and expand your worldview. You know the saying that “the grass is always greener on the other side?” Well, I can tell you one thing—the food is certainly better!

By Stephanie Snay  

Editor-in-Chief

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

The most important piece of advice for success in college and in life is to not be afraid to make mistakes. It is much easier to go with the flow and do only what is expected than it is to experiment with new things and discover even greater successes. Trial and error has been key to my career. Some would argue that the errors have been large, but the new discoveries that came as a result of my mistakes and missteps have led me to greater successes. I can honestly say that I would not change any of my mistakes. They have made me the person I am today. Be willing to try new things and make some mistakes. Those are the only way you can grow as a student, a professional and a person.

By Bob Helfst  

Online Editor

Have integrity.

The college experience is essentially a social incubator for young minds. There are many pressures that we college students endure — some of those include the temptation of engaging in detrimental acts to fit in. Stay true to yourself and never compromise your character. By all means enjoy yourself, but just remember never to forsake yourself.

Network.

You will hear this term a number of times throughout your college career, beginning your freshman year. The people you meet now, especially those in your major, may become your business associates in the future. Get to know people. It is time to come out of  your shell. Stay on good terms with your professors because you never know who knows whom. It is as they say: It is not what you know, but who you know.  Internships, student organizations and clubs — get involved with these and, in time, employers will be able to see how you manage your time.

By Garrison King 

Editorial Assistant

Embrace maturity.

When we think about high school, we think about the sports we played, the crazy times we had with our friends or the drama. One thing that stood out for me when comparing college with high school was that most of the drama remained in high school (although not all of it, sadly). Once you go to college, you realize it’s time to get down to business and get ready for your future.

One thing that sticks out for me is the amount of responsibility involved in being a college student. Paying for books has to be one of the most dreadful burdens a college student must bear, and it continues to be a pain for students up through the final year in school. We have the responsibility of finding a way to pay for college and the time to get a job while in school. Getting to classes on time, actually going to class and finding time to write that 15-page paper that’s due the next day also are some of the many things students are responsible for in college.

There will be times when we get the roommate we don’t agree with, nearly driving us to tears and to wishing things would change. But as you continue through college, having a less-than-perfect roommate is the least of your worries. That person you thought you weren’t fond of at the start of the year may end up being one of your best friends. If there is one thing that I will remember about being at UIndy, it’s having a great group of friends to be with, no matter what highs and lows came my way.

By Calvin Johnson 

Senior Editorial Assistant

Take a moment.

One of the worst feelings in the world is looking back at another time and wishing you were back in that moment. You may miss high school, or your freshman year of college when you had no hard courses or you may miss the year you turned 21. You may even be nostalgic for the years when you were so little, your biggest decision of the day was what game to play outside. Despite these yearnings, don’t forget about the moment you are in right now. You could look back at it in a couple years and wish you were here.

So take a moment to recognize your time, place and situation. You will never be in this exact moment again. As all of my colleagues have said, college is an amazing time, and you only get to do it once.  So appreciate it. Don’t dwell on things you can’t change, because while I’m wishing I were back in the security of sophomore year, I know at 25 I will be wishing to be back in my senior year of college.

As we leave The Reflector in the hands of those behind us, we look back with pride at what we have accomplished. Four years of hard work and dedication have gone into this newspaper, and we thank you for the time you have spent reading our work. As five experienced seniors, we hope you take our lessons to heart because we truly have written what is in our hearts. Make up your mind, experience other cultures, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, have integrity, network, embrace maturity and take a moment. We promise you these will make your time in college better.

By Kellie Donnelly 

Opinion Editor