Creating an environment filled with ambiguous euphemisms and vague “let’s not talk about it now” sighs, two months to graduation is starting to feel more like two months to live. Like an ailment that can only be cured by another semester, we seniors press on.
As college students, it’s in most of our natures to look forward to our breaks and holidays while in school, but as my fellow seniors and I are trying not to realize, our next big “break” from Binghamton will be a permanent one.
But of course it isn’t all bad, and it wouldn’t be entirely truthful to ignore the excitement that is building for our increasingly real futures. Whether it be employment or graduate studies that we pursue after graduation, these pending plans are beginning to hook our attention.
Knowing we’ll soon be cast out by our former love, Binghamton, we’re looking to turn our affections to something new. It becomes easy to get lost in applying for jobs, looking at graduate programs or finding a new place to live.
Looking forward is a good idea, but it is important not to get so stuck in the world of the future that you forget about the present.
With so much on the horizon, it’s sometimes hard to be a part of the moment. Amidst applying for jobs, keeping up with schoolwork and thinking about “where we see ourselves” in two months, “enjoying the moment” doesn’t take high priority.
Yes, a lot of us have “bucket lists” that we’ve thrown together to make the most of the last couple of months. Although a great idea and definitely worthwhile, it is not the same as trying harder to be present in the moment.
Lists, by nature, are not known to be leisurely activities. They’re things you get done.
But, the rest of our time at Binghamton should not be about “getting it done.” It’ll go by fast enough on its own.
No, we should work on being a real part of conversations, not allowing infiltrating thoughts about the future to demand our constant attention. Enjoy the little things. Cook a meal with a good friend or go for a walk in Downtown Binghamton (not including the walk from State Street back home).
I am all for the bucket list idea, but most of the things on the list are activities that have yet to be done. It is good to try new things, but these next couple of months should be about celebrating all of our past experiences as well.
Not enough credit is given to the everyday “boring” college activities, but these are the things we’ll miss. Sure we’ll remember the big events, like concerts and Spring Fling, but the daily occurrences we don’t give too much thought to now are what make our college experiences worthwhile.
Waking up at noon on the weekends may seem like a given, but a few months from now it may become a little-known luxury. Enjoy the ease with which you can hang out with friends while you’re all still in one place. Be happy that the standard for “classy” as a college student in a bar is little more than keeping your eyes open.
With two months left, this is the time to celebrate the everyday things of Binghamton, because they won’t be a part of our every day for long.