College life not easy,
in the end, worth it
By John Gardner
Staff Reporter
Well, I’m finally graduating.
It hasn’t been easy, be
lieve me. Coming out of
high school back in the
dark ages (1986 actually), I hadn’t
the faintest idea what I wanted to
do. All through those glory days of
high school, I did nothing but screw
around and get by. In reality, my
grade point average was pretty good,
a 3.56, but how hard is high school,
anyway?
Choosing the proper university
was not that lough a decision for
me. For one thing, I really didn’t
have the desire to look anywhere
else except a place close to home.
That’s how I ended up at the be
loved University of Nebraska.
The first thing I did was join a
fraternity. That was fun for the first
couple of years or so, but no more.
I also had a dull major — business
administration. How many majors
are there where you simply read a
book, then lake a test, etc., etc.,
etc.?
After my “first” junior year, I
made a career move, or smart move
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wwuiu imute accuiaie, uiuu ui££ui
and better things. That, of course,
was living off campus. What a re
freshing change that was. No more
of 70 guys harassing you all the
time and no more politics. But the
best thing was I was on my own.
I had to learn how to buy gro
ceries; I had to do dishes; I had to
pay rent! But 1 was happy, none
theless. And I also changed my
major... again. It was a complete
180-degree turn this time around. I
went from the fast-paced business
world of finance to journalism.
It was now my senior year, or
my sophomore year, or. . . oh, I
don’t know what it was. Only 43 of
my 90 credits transferred over to
the journalism college, so 1 was in
for at least 2 1/2 more years. Any
way, about six weeks into my first
journalism course, Beginning Re
porting 282, l was completely lost.
Even my instructor suggested I try
something else. What confidence
he had in me! But I made it through,
and actually wrote some pretty good
stuff.
The following two years then
just fell into place. My grades im
proved with even less effort than
before and my writing skills kept
improving.
And here I am, six years later,
less than two weeks from getting
the precious degree.
Which brings me to all the crap
we need to go through to get out of
this institution. First, of course, you
must settle all of your accounts. I
have a $600 short-term loan due in
three days; I owe the 1 Iealth Center
$4.50 and I owe some guy named
Ballbreakerin Vegas (just kidding).
Next, I owe somewhere around
$11,000 to a company called UNI
PAC for all my student loans.
As you can see, all this gradu
ation stuff is starling to get to me.
But I’m not done yet.
Probably the least stressful part
of the whole thing is the cap and
gown 'measurement. You simply
enter the University Bookstore, get
measured and walk out in less than
five minutes. Not bad.
But then there’s the nightmare
of making plans for your post
college, post-party life. I literally
missed a whole week of school
preparing my resume, cover letter
and clips to send out to various
newspapers throughout the United
States. Already, less than two weeks
f. i • . i • rc « i
diiei auiiumg uii>muii uui, 1 nave
received my first rejection letter.
Now that I’m t^one complaining,
I’d like to reflect on what fun col
lege really is. For all of you out
there who arc freshmen or sopho
mores, take heed to some friendly
advice — slay in school and have
fun.
No, this isn’t one of those “Stay
in School" speeches you hear on
television. All I’m saying is college
is seriously the most enjoyable
period of your life. Your parents
are miles away, and that leaves you
free to do just about anything you
want. Not enough can be said about
the parties in college, or all the
concerts, the dates (or one-night
stands). The years between 18-25
are by far the most fun.
Finally, I’m almost becoming
toary-eyed thinking about finally
wrapping the whole experience
up. But then again, I feel like a big
weight is being lifted off my shoul
der.
And I can’t afford to have much
weight on my shoulder, since I’m
not a very big person.
Thanks for tne memories.
*
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University of Nebraska
Class of '92
Ti i i mm-f * -«r
Charles William Johnson
We are proud of you! Love you!
From your wife, Jill and your
mother, Ruth Johnson
University of Nebraska
Class of '92
■ - I
I University of Nebraska
Class of '92
Tammie Zerr -
We are proud of you and good luck
in the future.
Love • Mom, Dad, Teri & Tiffany
Netfraskan
Editor Jana Padaraan
478-1786
Supplements Editor Dionne Searcey
Assoc News Editor Chris Hoplenaperger
Photo Chief MtcheltyPaeirnan
Night News Editors John Adkisson
Tom Kuni
Art Director Scott Maurer
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Chairman 472*2588
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473-7301
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1902 DAILY NEBRASKAN
University of Nebraska
Troy Gagner -
Congratulations! We have always
been proud of you.
Love - Mom & Dad
University of Nebraska
Class of '92
Greg Salvo •
Congratulations on your graduation.
You've worked hard & we re very
proud of you.
Love - Mom & Dad
University of Nebraska
Class o»'92
Brent N Samuelson -
Congratulations Brent! We are
proud of you! Best wishes in the
future
Love - Dad & Mom
University of Nebraska
Class of '92
■JW «
Daniel A. Fix -
Proud of your achievement ••
Prouder still of you.
Love - Mom, Finkelman & Howligan