Right now, I’m sitting in Lamont, Harvard’s only 24 hour library. Thankfully I didn’t have to take advantage of the library’s all-night hours this semester. Despite that, I’ve been sitting here for 4 hours now, typing away at my paper, editing and re-editing, cutting a few lines here, adding a few there.
Since I got here at 9 this morning, I’ve been thinking about how excited I will be to be done with this paper because once I turn in this paper, I’m done with college. This paper marks the last piece of academic work I will ever compose as an Undergrad. When I think about it like that, I can’t decide whether to laugh or to cry.
Sure, writing papers sucks. Sure, exams suck. Sure, boring 2-hour lectures really suck. But does being a student suck? Quite the opposite. I love being a student. Frankly, it’s the only thing I’ve ever really done. Sure I’ve worked an internship here or there, but all I’ve ever really known is how to be a student. As I face my upcoming graduation, I can’t help but think fondly about my years as a college student, papers and all. I think that in some strange way, I’m going to miss these long days in the library laboring over my laptop.
So for now, I’m going to do my best to enjoy my last few hours of undergraduate academics. I recommend that you do the same, whether these are your last few days as an undergraduate or if you’re only finishing your freshman year. Remember that time flies when you’re having fun and when you’re in the library. Enjoy college, and remember to relish every moment, even the moments spent with your textbooks.