VOICES: Making the most of your EU time (advice from a senior)

While my college journey has been eventful and has provided me with friends and memories that I’ll have for the rest of my life, I feel as if I was not able to get the full experience with the life I have outside of getting my education. Working has always been my main focus and from working long weeks, I feel it’s distracted me from getting more involved on campus.

One of my main regrets is not joining more clubs. In high school, I was actively involved in student council and National Honors Society, but in college the only club I have been a part of is The Spectator student newspaper. If I could go back and do it over again, I would definitely substitute time working for time playing rec sports. I played baseball, football and wrestled in high school and I miss the feeling of being active and on a team.

I also feel that I was not able to make enough friends and connections while here at Edinboro. I was hardly ever on campus, other than for class, and I wasn’t able to meet many people. During my freshman year at Cleveland State University (before transferring), I was not employed and made numerous friends that I still talk to today. But at Edinboro I have been more focused on work and have not been able to do the same.

I highly recommend, if it is financially available, to spread your wings and live on or nearby campus. While at Cleveland State, I lived in the dorms with three other roommates and it was definitely more enjoyable than commuting 30 minutes every day (like I have for Edinboro). Living close or on campus makes you feel more a part of the university, while commuting just feels like high school with slightly more freedom.

My college career has definitely been a fun ride, but if I could go back, there are a few changes I would certainly make. I urge all current and future college students to get involved and enjoy college, because your four years fly by quicker than you could imagine.

Steven McGarvie is a staff writer for The Spectator. He can be reached at edinboro.spectator@gmail.com.