Illustration by Dafne Sánchez/The Carolinian

By Jacob Peller, Former Opinions Editor

I’ve never been one for fancy parting words. You never look at the one guy in class, who only speaks in prose, as “prophetic”— if anything he’s just crazy.

Nevertheless, it would be criminal for me to simply leave without sharing all this knowledge I have apparently gained thanks to the schooling system. So, for you, my collective of colorful cohorts, I give you what I learned in school.

Ah yes, freshman year. I understand that college is a new and scary place. One where you are suddenly given all the freedoms you wished you had since middle school. Some freshmen, myself included, tended to stay inside for the majority of their time, afraid perhaps or just directionless without the aid of their parents.

But here is where my first piece of advice starts. Don’t be afraid to stick your head out the door. Don’t be stupid and do some illegal shenanigans, but the first year is the most important time to make friends and acquaintances.

This is when I met my best friend and fellow Carolinian member, Joseph Abraham. And I can honestly say that his influence was the reason I became such an outgoing person. So friendship matters, obviously.

I’ll be honest: sophomore to junior year was kind of a blur. I remember being stressed constantly with classes, and I’m sure I probably thought I knew what I was doing, but looking back, it’s impossible to say what my younger self was thinking, but it was probably stupid.

That being said, I do see the sophomores and juniors walking around, talking smack, making me feel like an old man. So I guess the only thing I can say is, “You don’t know everything.” Hell, I don’t know anything and I’ve been here slightly longer than you have, of course this is not always the case, I want to have faith in my successors, but… I’m sure you’ll do just fine.

Finally, to all the seniors who are graduating with me. I hope only the best for you and that the real world doesn’t ending up roughing us up too badly. I got to have some great memories in my time here and the opportunity to both write and edit for The Carolinian has been my proudest.

To the other editors and writers who are graduating, I hope your futures feature as much profound writing that I have come to enjoy reading.

Finally, I wish success to our future Editor-in-Chief, Emily Bruzzo, and her

monumental undertaking of The Carolinian. You will be in my memories forever.

Hey, remember when I said I’m not one for fancy words? I lied!

Categories: Uncategorized