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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (June 10, 2002)
Congratulations, graduates! Welcome to the ranks of UO alumni! Your University of Oregon Alumni Association invites you to: • Stay connected to the University' of Oregon and your fellow alumni. • Benefit from career planning and other career networking services, • Get involved with an alumni chapter. • Contact us for more great benefits and to learn other ways to stay connected to the UO. Hprfjsnn Contact us to get connected: • UO Alumni Association • 1204 University of Oregon • Eugene, OR 97403-1204 • alumni@oregon.uoregon.edu • http://alumni.uoregon.edu • (541) 346-5656 Dinner and a Movie for Dads and Grads Choose the perfect Father’s Day and Graduation gifts from among our 120 stores. Then top your shopping ^ with two tickets to Regal Cinemas and $5 off at Chili’s Grill & Bar - FREE* with $75 in same-day receipts. It’s a Hollywood ending for your dads and grads! Good for same-day purchases June 14-16. * Visit Customer Service for details. One per person, please. While supplies last. Not in conjunction with other offers. \ Bon Marclie • JCPenney • Meier & Frank ■ Copeland's Sports • Emporium Mon-Sat 10am to 9pm Sun 11am to 6pm 541-683-5513 www.valleyrivercenter.com . Over 120 Reasons to Shop FIND THINGS IN ODE <LAS$IFIEDS (BICYCLES, PETS, CARS, JOBS, ROOMMATES, APARTMENTS, CONCERT TICKETS, PLANE TICKETS, STUFF YOU LOST,TYPING SERVICES, ON-CAMPUS OPPORTUNITIES) UO seniors offer wisdom in parting ■As graduation approaches, University seniors reflect on highlights and low points of their college experience By Mikhael Romain for the Emerald Graduation is just around the cor ner, and seniors completing their fourth, fifth or even sixth year of college have looks of bliss and con tentment. With the “real world” just around the corner, many seniors are reflecting on their college experi ences, good and bad. A number of seniors said their most valuable college experiences were the ones they had off-campus. Whether it was studying, working abroad or backpacking through Eu rope, students consistently said get ting off the grounds was an integral part of their college experience. “Studying abroad was the best thing I ever did,” business major Tina Austinson said. “It should be mandatory. It was such a valuable experience.” Julie Ekberg, a political science major who spent a year studying in Sweden, said anyone taking a lan guage and interested in social work should go abroad. “It is always helpful to have a second language. Going abroad is the only way to really solidify a lan guage and learn cross-culture skills,” Ekberg said. Not everyone’s off-campus activi ties involved leaving Eugene, though. Ryan Dobrowski, who is getting his bachelor’s degree in fine arts, said his most positive experi ence in college was starting a band with a few friends. “It has been a huge positive re West continued from page5B learning. I started my formal educa tion in small elementary classes that prepared me for larger middle school classes, which in turn pre pared me for even larger high school classes. Going from a high school classroom of 40 students to college lecture halls of 400 stu dents was also nerve-racking. I just have to remember that there are two major differences between college and the “real world.” 1. You pay to learn in college. But in the “real world,” you are paid to learn in the form of a job. 2. The world is a classroom with flection throughout school,” he said. “The band has been a consis tently great experience, and it has created a good foot to leave on.” Naturally, though, experiences on campus still play a big role in stu dents’ lives, and sometimes a hap hazard one. A number of seniors said choosing their courses over the past four years was a process of trial and error, rather than a calculated plan. “I would have liked to double major but I didn’t know what I wanted to do as a freshman, so I couldn’t have pre pared my schedule.” Austinson said. Spanish major Geoff Hoffa said he would have taken more classes designed to teach job skills. “I feel like I developed great philo sophical skills, but I wish I had learned more practical application skills like business or science,” Hoffa said. Though some seniors regretted not studying for a test, or staying out too late on a weeknight, they said that even negative situations proved to be a learning experience. “I don’t have any regrets,” said Christine Shevlin, a psychology major. “I wouldn’t take back any struggles. It made me who I am. It was part of growing up.” The newfound freedoms and min imized restrictions students en counter when entering college life provide a myriad of experiences. Veterans of this lifestyle said to jump into as many things as possible: Join a intramural team, go abroad, volun teer and try new things. “I enjoyed my college experi ences,” Hoffa said. “But I would have found a fake ID sooner. It opens up so many social opportunities. ” Mikhael Romain is a freelance reporter for the Emerald. out walls and all the people in it are teachers. College has taught me the sur vival skills I will need to conquer this brave new world. So even when I only have 10 cents to my name (’cause Uncle Sam took the rest), that is still enough to buy a package of Top Ramen. Credit cards actually do use real money. Beer is an integral part of the cre ative process. And the best schmoozing happens over a steam ing cup of Starbucks’ finest. I think I’m ready. Bring it on! E-mail reporter Jen West at jenwest@dailyemerald.com. Her opinions do not necessarily represent those of the Emerald. Pregnant? 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