What do you get out of college?

April 21, 2005
By Wendy Heithoff
Editor in Chief

So here it is; my last editorial as a college student. In a few weeks I will trade in my flip flops and hoodies for dress shoes and collared shirts. It will no doubt be an odd transition, but one that can’t be avoided any longer.

Like many of my fellow classmates, my gown and cap have been purchased and are hidden away in the closet somewhere. The Records and Registration office has given the seniors the nod, all that’s left now is a few finals and a walk across the stage to receive my diploma.

It’s difficult to sum up four years of college into a four column editorial, but there is a phrase that fits this situation. My eighth grade history teacher always said Yogo Wypi (pronounced yo go whip e). It stood for You Get Out What You Put In and that was how described most grading situations in his class.

If you put forth the time and effort, you wouldn’t be disappointed with his analysis of your work, but don’t expect something for nothing. Back then it seemed like a crazy phrase an ecstatic history teacher formulated, but as I entered high school and college, the phrase made more sense. The philosophy is not limited to grades. A student’s entire college experience is based on what he or she to put into it.

It is impossible to get the most out of your four years in college, if you never put forth any extra effort aside from attending your classes. College is so much more than classes (although it is undeniable that it is a large part). The extra effort is seen in students who embrace their major to the fullest, those who get the most hands-on experience in their field of study before they enter the workforce. Their extra effort is rewarded in the form of experience, new friendships and a greater understanding of what their profession offers and demands.

The extra effort can be seen in those students who became involved in extra-curriculars. Sports, music, theatre, clubs, and many other organizations are established on this campus to help bring together students with similar interests. For those students who found themselves involved in one or more extra-curricular activities, congratulations. You can probably rattle off a list of benefits associated with your membership to that group. It has brought you into contact with people you may have missed otherwise. It has brought you experiences that will last a lifetime.

One of the best qualities about college is the ability to try something new. A whole catalog of classes await you, many that broach subjects you know little or nothing about. Stretching outside your comfort zone can be one of the best rewards in college. Take a dnace class, a music class or learn about something you have never heard of before. With a little courage and a determined attitude, students may find that this new subject is of great interest to them, therefore enhancing their college experience, and into their adult life.

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