AS I SIT here writing my last words in The Cavalier Daily, I can't help but remember how petrified I was when I came to write my first article during the first week of my second year.It was not that I did not want to write for The Cavalier Daily; I had wanted to do that ever since I went to the Newcomb Hall Crawl my first week at the University.
But for some reason there was always something holding me back. Sometimes I had "too much work" or "too little time." Or sometimes it seemed that getting an article published in the paper was too much of a distant goal that would be too good to be true.
Yet when my second year started, I was still looking for my place at the University.Finally, out of desperation, I put away my apprehensions and ventured down to the basement.
I'm so glad I did!Nearly three years and many articles later, I can say that writing for The Cavalier Daily was definitely one of the highlights of my time at the University.
I liked the writing, the interviewing and getting to the heart of the story.Whether it was for articles pertaining to Sept. 11, political elections, higher education budgets or my very first article on the new director of Clemons Library, I got an enormous amount of satisfaction from these experiences.
But, even more than that, at The Cavalier Daily, I found my niche.I was finally doing something that I liked and felt was meaningful.I learned a lot about how the University works, and truly began to feel like a student at the University, not someone constantly searching for a place at a large, overwhelming school. And I found lots of good friends, a fun time and some of the most dedicated people at the University, which made for a wonderful experience.
I've learned many lessons during my time at the University, but one that I have particularly learned from my Cavalier Daily experience has been how important it is to put away the hesitation and make the most of one's experiences.As they say in Latin, "Carpe diem" -- seize the day.When you know what you want -- whether it is writing for The Cavalier Daily, becoming an impassioned University Democrat or College Republican, running for a Student Council position or something else inside or outside the University, it's important to go for it, full speed ahead.You only live once, so live it up.
That being said, my time at the University would not have been so great without many, whom I would like to thank:
First, to my friends at the paper. To my editors, Emily, Abby, John and my fellow news associates -- it's been a blast, thank you for so many fun times and so much encouragement.
To my Emmet third floor buddies -- Stephanie, Monique, Michelle and Tasha -- wow, we had so much fun!Thank you for being such wonderful friends.I'll miss you all tons next year!
To Michael -- thanks for being such a fabulous brother.Enjoy college. Soon it will be you on the Lawn.
Last but not least, to Mom and Dad -- I couldn't have done it without you!I love you both very much.
(Sara Jeanblanc was a 2002 associate focus editor and a 2001 associate news editor.)
Read More
PATEL: Personal development courses support students beyond the gradebook
By Heer Patel | 2 days agoThe University must rethink its approach to education beyond traditional major-specific requirements and mandate personal development courses.
EDITORIAL: Commercialization threatens U.Va.’s educational mission
By Editorial Board | 2 days agoAfter all, measuring the University’s worth in terms of accrued capital, operational efficiency and numerical rankings molds this space into just another cookie-cutter institution.
YOUNIS: Why every U.Va. student should say yes to English
By Ayat Younis | January 9, 2025Every student at the University, regardless of their primary field of study, can professionally and academically benefit from engaging with the English department.
