Saying goodbye

Well, this is it. This is my fifth year of University, and for me, it isn’t over. I’m still in Holland, where my classes go until the end of May and my flight home leaves at the end of June. I’m still busy with school and such things, though I should be graduating right now. I’m not, and I’m okay with that – I’ve discovered that it’s okay that my path to graduation isn’t linear, because that allowed me to take chances and have the experience of a lifetime here in the Netherlands (if you are ever, ever contemplating a semester abroad, DO IT). It’ll take me an extra six months to graduate, but it’s been worth it. 100%.

But I know for so many of my friends, this is it. They have worked so hard and remained so focused and dedicated, and they will walk the stage in June and receive their University degrees. I could not be more proud of them. It’s a long road, your four (or five, or six) years of University, and you might not believe me when I tell you that they will fly by. I remember my first day of classes in pristine detail, because it feels like yesterday. I cannot wrap my head around the fact that that took place five years ago.

So while my friends convocate this summer, wrapped up their undergrad degrees forever, it’s also the end of an era for me. I have been approved to complete my PSIII semester out of zone, meaning I will move closer to my hometown of Red Deer. When I return from Holland, I have my last ever University classes from July 4 – 24, and then I’m done as well. I’m leaving Lethbridge, the town that’s been my home for five years – even in the summers. I’ve had a bit of a love-hate relationship with the wind, but I can’t believe this beautiful city won’t be my home anymore. According to the government, I’ll still be “studying,” but teaching part-time for four months is an entirely different experience. I won’t set foot on the University campus after my summer classes are over.

It’s also the end of my blogging career with the University of Lethbridge. I have been so lucky to work for my school doing something that I love – writing. I know I have often pushed joining clubs on my blog, but I’ll say this, as well: there is something for you at U of L, besides your classes. And maybe it isn’t clubs. Maybe it’s getting involved with the newspaper, or the radio station. Maybe it’s giving tours to potential students and their parents (which is a really fun way to learn cool things about campus). Maybe it’s looking into things like this blogging idea, where the University really shows that it believes in the voices and the individuality of its students.

I’ve been so lucky to have spent my undergraduate degrees at the University of Lethbridge. The people I have met, studied with, worked with and learned from have shaped me to be a conscious global citizen and have done their best to prepare me for life after University. I’ve been proud of my time spent and proud of my school, and honestly, I think that’s the best I could ever have asked for.

So goodbye, U of L. Goodbye colleagues, goodbye UHall, goodbye endless flights of stairs, goodbye free food in the atrium, goodbye naps by the pool. I can’t wait for my friends to walk the stage in June, and I can’t wait to do it myself a year from now. For now, goodbye, and good luck, current staff and students, future staff and students. You’re truly lucky to go to such a great school. Make sure you get involved, take chances, take classes you never thought you’d enjoy, learn new things, take advantage of the awesome ULSU events, and mostly just remember that these are amazing years, and it’s okay if you change paths more than once. Above all, I hope you have as amazing of a time as I did. Good luck!

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