Via Twitter and the student newspaper at the university I work for, the only thing everyone is thinking about is the upcoming ceremonies to celebrate commencement. Oh, I guess I'm thinking about it, too since "graduation" is in my title as an academic advisor. Getting to give the okay to hundreds of students to graduate is a funny thing. The undergrads drive me crazy and ask stupid question but I understand their excitement and anticipation and what it means. And, ultimately, I feel bad (for most) when they've done something to jeopardize their graduation.
Recently, there have been a string of deaths that have occurred on our campus. Alcohol poisoning, a tragic fall from a building (alcohol-related) and speculated drug overdose. Although I was not able to read it, today, the chancellor sent an e-mail to all students asking them to be safe in their decisions this evening. Tomorrow is Stop Day (no classes before finals) and tonight, students celebrate its eve by partying hard. Really hard. I was once one of those students. I never did the amount of drinking that some students did several times a week, but I'm sure there were questionable decisions made during my 4 1/2 years of as a student. Still, I'm worried about the sirens I just heard. And I hope there won't be any bad news on www.ljworld.com tomorrow.
Tonight, I watched the 100th episode of Grey's Anatomy. The ER handled the victims of a car crash: 8 college students on their way to graduation. The only girl that survived the crash of those students was the valedictorian. She recited her speech as she prepared to go into surgery. She spoke of "beginning her life" as the montage showed her 7 friends being zipped up into body bags; their lives, effectively, over. I think that's the thing about being a kid and going to college. To truly become an adult, you must realize that at some point, your life has already started. At some point, the decisions that were once your parents', become your own. It's a startling feeling to realize you're on your own for real. It's one thing to say it and think you accept your responsibilities. And entire other to feel it, know it and realize what you do each day is defining
who you are as person.
So, why are these students making decisions and choosing actions that put their lives at risk? Why do something so pointless that may take away your chance at living a full life? There must be a way to get through to these students. But how do you tell them their life is at risk when they don't think their lives have even started?
"You don't recognize the biggest day of your life until you're right in the middle of it. The days you meet your soul mate. The days you realize there's not enough time because you want to live forever. The perfect days." -Grey's Anatomy
"Happiness is about connecting with people. Optimism is contagious."
"Everyone's so happy. This could last longer than just today." -Michael J. Fox on inauguration day.
