Since this issue will be on stands when all the bright-eyed university students return to expand their minds in hopes of bettering themselves and the world, the obvious thing would be to write about how this paper is the place where everyone can express themselves, where we can effect change, and where you, special individual, can make a difference.

Since it is my last issue as managing editor, it’s also likely the time where I should thank everyone for their hard work and say how much I’ve learned in my time here.

But although those things are important, I just can’t bring myself to do that – at least not without a precursor.

That’s because in my experience, university students – myself included – already think we’re a little too special nowadays. The thing I’ve tried to recognize and change about myself over the past year is my sense of entitlement: I’ve been to university for how long and I’m still working a cash register? How much am I getting paid an hour? I have to work another entry-level job?

But who is to blame for this mindset? I guess our parents, and capitalism.

Everything is a great achievement nowadays; it seems there’s a card for everything.

I recently moved into a new place and my neurotic nature quickly took over as I frantically made lists of what I needed to make the place feel more like “home.” New coffee table, dishes, cutlery, etc.

Then my boyfriend remarked that a little chaos is what makes life memorable. Home isn’t just where you lay your head; it’s where you feel comfortable.

Odds are you won’t be able to remember what the summer of 2009 was like 10 years from now, but I will remember living surrounded by boxes, re-hanging the same picture four times to get it just right, and only having one pot to cook in. Much like how the years of university will blur together, but the year you came to understand yourself might just stand out.

So what happens if you don’t take note of the little stuff?

Most recent university grads I know are having one hell of a hard time figuring out what they want to spend the rest of their lives doing. And if you’re not one of the lucky ones to graduate into a job, not only have you got your own sense of self-worth to deal with, but also others’ snobbery.

 

It’s keeping up with the Jones, but before you’ve even got a home to compare. People will kick you in the shins and think they should get anything you have coming.

Worse even, many are too self-absorbed to realize that perhaps they aren’t entitled to everything they’ve been told they are.

In that respect, you can’t really get mad; some people are just assholes. It’s more important to learn which battles are worth fighting than it is to win everything.

More importantly, you’ve got to really learn what does make you happy so you’re not judging yourself by others’ credentials.

So perhaps either I come off sounding ungrateful, or like everything that I’ve just rallied against, but that’s just the problem. Perhaps even though we can recognize these faults in others, it’s very difficult to actually change them in ourselves.

So where does that leave this editorial?

Well, this is a great paper where people can express themselves and effect change, but more importantly, it’s where you can learn a lot about yourself, about your place in the world and about the way the world works.

That’s been my experience at least, and to those who have helped me along the way and made The Uniter great – well, thanks!

Excuse me, I’m going to watch Reality Bites now.

How’s that for inspirational?

Published in Volume 63, Number 30 of The Uniter (August 13, 2009)