College students have made an art form of procrastination. Whether it’s writing a 20-page paper the night before it’s due or cramming for finals, saving things until the last minute is part of student life. As I begin my fourth year, I realize I too have procrastinated on a number of things. There are so many great restaurants in Charlottesville and I have only tried a handful. Academically, I’ve been putting off taking an art history class or trying to learn Chinese. Nearly every time an interesting opportunity came up, I generally pushed it aside because it was not relevant for the specific future goal I had in mind. I was very focused on achieving certain academic credentials that I let other opportunities slip by. But, now as a fourth year reflecting on my tenure at the University so far, I realize that by constantly pushing things back semester after semester, I have yet to try or do many things that I had originally wanted to.
There is, of course, so much more to college than academics, but viewing college with a one-track mind limits the experience regardless of the specific nature of your goal. Such an approach prevents the opportunity to grab things as they come. These opportunities can take many forms. They can be classes that are completely irrelevant for your future goals or ambitions, but still strike your interest. They can be partaking in U.Va. traditions like the lighting of the Lawn. They can also be hiking Humpback Rock. While spending four years at U.Va., it is important to expose yourself to the wide range of experiences available, and to do so as opportunities arise.
The University has a long list of traditions, and partaking in these traditions or better experiencing the Charlottesville area enhances the four years spent at U.Va. Participation in these activities can help a person grow by exposing them to different ideas and environments. More importantly, it makes college an academic, social and cultural experience, which is important in helping an individual better understand themselves and the world around them. College is the last cushion before the “real world”; therefore, having a more rich college experience can be important in preparing students for the challenges they face after graduation.
Additionally, partaking in these opportunities can allow to you to meet more people, and form connections. Granted, trying different restaurants will not help you form connections, but going to different events will. For example, the Lighting of the Lawn is a chance to interact with more students and perhaps even expand your network of people. Doing research will expose you to different professors and contacts who may be able to help you find the job or opportunity you are looking for, but did not know existed. In many respects, these opportunities are the first step in the “real world.”
However, you can only make the contacts or have an enriching college experience if you grasp opportunities as they are offered. If you wait, those opportunities may not come again. For example, I thought learning Chinese would be very interesting, but I waited too long. The key is to have a wide vision of what you want to accomplish at the University in your four years.
Four years is really not a long time. In order to ensure that I leave with no regrets, I have made a bucket list of things to do before graduating. While I put off doing many things in favor of my goals, I intend to make the last year count. Instead of saying you will do something next semester, make it next weekend. The University and Charlottesville have much to offer—take the time to see it in all its glory before graduating.
Fariha Kabir is an Opinion columnist for The Cavalier Daily.
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