All of us college students are currently busy burying our noses in textbooks, reviewing notes from all of those classes that we didn't want to take, and looking at PowerPoint slide after PowerPoint slide trying to cram as much knowledge into our brains as humanly possible. Staying up late, getting up early and pushing ourselves to the point of exhaustion. But at what cost? We all say that we can't wait for summer, that we can't wait until exams are over and that we can't wait to go home. But I've started to notice something. While we are all busy rushing around from the library to exams and back to the library, every one of us is missing something.
Everything we do during finals week is aimed at a goal somewhere in the future. Aiming to pass an exam, to boost a GPA, to graduate, to get a degree, to get a job, and all of that is great. But what about right now? While we are focusing on the future we are missing the here and now. I've started trying to walk a little slower to the library, to take in the surroundings at one of the most beautiful universities in the country. Whatever your favorite sight is around campus, don't forget to take it in. It may be finals week, but there is still time to see the sights that make all of our hearts flutter with pride in this university.
Looking back on the past two years for me has been scary. It has gone by so incredibly fast. So in order to take full advantage of my time here I have recently started trying to enjoy every moment for what it's worth. I walk a little slower to class. I look around me instead of in front of me or at the ground. I always stare at the bell tower with admiration and I always pause for a moment outside of Wilson Library looking across the quad at South Building. Because time flies faster with every day I spend here, and I've realized that if I don't stop and take a moment to look around me then everything will pass me by.
So this is my small piece of advice to anyone who takes the time to read this. Take a second everyday to look around you and focus on where you are, not where you're going. I assure you that one second will not delay your day, and when you look back you will appreciate it that much more.
