Here I sit, under a streetlight outside Read Hall on my last night in Athens. It has been an exhausting day, packing and helping others pack. My car is loaded to the gills and I spent a solid 20 minutes wresting with my bike rack. In just two days I will have gone back home only to head further north the next day to my first apartment in Akron.

Reflecting back upon my year, there is a particular scene that I would like to share. I was packing to go back to Athens for the winter quarter, and my dad was helping. He asked me if I wanted my hiking boots. I told him no. I am not exactly sure why. It was probably the teenage, “go against anything the parent says” side of me talking. However, he talked me into taking them. So I threw them in the car. Even though it didn’t snow very much this year, I’m glad I brought those boots, because I soon discovered there is a ton of hiking trails in Athens.

One of the best activities I took part in this year was piling a group of friends into my buddy’s car and taking off to a trail, even though we had no idea where the trail went. I shared some great memories and captured equally as many breathtaking photos. Because of the wet spring and large amounts of mud on the trails, I was very glad that I brought my boots. I’ll admit it, Dad you were right, again.

I spent a great deal of my fall quarter, and some of my winter quarter, with my tail between my legs. I didn’t know hardly anyone here and wasn’t quite sure to expect. I tried various organizations, but I did not really get into my groove until spring quarter. I found a solid group of friends, got into the right student organizations and signed an offer letter for an internship. I regret nothing, especially taking those hiking boots. Apparently, parents do know what is best for you. Thanks Dad.

After I saw that taking risks was paying off, I decided to take more. If I have one regret, it is that I did not figure this out earlier. Those of you coming into college, take risks. You never hear an older person saying, “Yeah, I took way too many risks.”

Early in the spring quarter, I went to dinner with a buddy. While there, I ate a fortune cookie. My fortune was encouraging me to take a risk. I blew it off.  However, it was right and this has been the best quarter I will ever have (OU will switch to semesters next year).

Take risks. Have fun. Listen to parents; they are always right, probably because they have been there. Go where regrets won’t follow (yes, I stole that from a Jeep ad). I just have to find a way to make my next year in Athens even better…I’m sure I’ll think of something. 

Shot in front of my dorm before I left. See ya Read Hall!