As the semester winds down and graduation looms near, seniors at The University of Memphis — and all over the country — are preparing themselves for the real world. After four-and-a-half years, countless late night trips to Taco Bell, thousands of dollars poured into tuition costs and more articles published in The Daily Helmsman than perhaps anyone in history, I'm proud to say I'm among those stepping into the uncertainty of life after college.
This is about the part of the cliché "goodbye" article that the writer thanks those who helped them along the way, rattles off a list of the things they've seen during their time at school and otherwise tries to bring a tear to the reader's eye.
But as always, I like to be a little different.
First and foremost, I would like to thank one person: me.
I would like to thank myself because, honestly, I'm the one that did all of the work.
I spent sleepless nights writing 12-page papers. I put myself into mounds of debt by using student loans to pay for tuition. I sacrificed time, effort, and on occasion, pride, as the sports editor of this newspaper.
Then again, I was also the one who put off writing papers because the new Halo came out the night before it was due. I was the one who spent money when I knew I shouldn't have. I was the one who had the time of his life covering U of M sports.
Everything has its consequences and rewards, but in the end, it was me who earned the right to graduate. Apparently I've worked hard enough and for my efforts (as well as some foolishness on their part), The U of M administration is setting me free.
The same goes for anyone who is set to graduate, whether it be in two weeks, two semesters, or two years — you're the one that does the work, so you should be the one who gets the credit.
As my parents always tell me, "You're awesome."
Mom and Dad, I agree.
So for everyone graduating, just remember: Your parents didn't put up with Richardson Towers. Your grandparents didn't go without a University Center for 90 percent of their time here. Your siblings didn't put up with that one teacher in the math department that can't understand English.
You did. I did, too.
So when I walk across the stage at FedExForum and shake hands with Shirley Raines at graduation, I'm not going to thank her.
She should thank me.
