With convocation just weeks away, many students will say goodbye to their post-secondary careers and hello to the real world. Some will move into the job market with glee, others will drag their feet unwillingly. Having had a career prior to making the move back to formal education, I can gladly say I am excited to earn a decent paycheque again and have some regular routine in my life. While I am inside the four walls of the college from Monday to Friday, 8 to 5 p.m., I look forward to having free time that isn’t spoiled by the prospect of assignments and projects hanging over my head. Downtime filled with whatever I like and not running around to make sure I get that assignment completed, photograph taken or interview recorded.

While I look forward to crossing the stage on April 22, I will miss a number of things about full-time studies. My instructors who have more patience and passion that I think I could muster for even the most interesting of subjects. My classmates who have provided so many hilarious moments of much needed comedic relief and the countless lessons and skills I’ve learned along the way.

“School will fly,” they said. “Two years will go by in the blink of an eye!”   I didn’t believe them, the thought of two years with little income and scholastic stresses was a daunting adventure to take. As in many situations “they” were right. I feel like completing my diploma has flown by, it truly has. So as my final column for this publication I’d like to leave just a few words of wisdom for those who come next. Appreciate it, embrace it and say yes to it all. You will figure out a way to manage the assignments and the stress, but do it with eyes wide open and appreciate every moment that is presented to you. It’s unlikely you’ll see these opportunities again.