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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.
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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
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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.
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