Category | Op Ed

The real world is next

Published on April 27, 2010 by Joel Mendelson

Sadly, this will be my final column for The Sentinel. As this is the final issue for the spring semester and I will be graduating in May, no longer will I be able to rant and rave about all the issues I’ve touched on throughout the 2009-2010 school year. It has been an absolute pleasure and a gift to write for The Sentinel, and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for actually publishing what I’ve written.

Reflecting on these past few years at KSU helped me realize just how important and precious education is for us all. We’ve been given an incredible opportunity to study, research, question and expand our knowledge about the world around us; it’s a gift that we should never take for granted. At a time when education is on the chopping block in states nationwide, realize how fortunate you are to be at KSU and make use of everything the faculty and staff provide.

An education is the most important key not only to bettering yourself but the world. It unlocks the doors to your mind and gives you the opportunity of a lifetime. There are millions around the world who  lack a fundamental education that we so often take for granted in the United States. It’s a common expectation for the middle class of this country to complete a high school education and then go on to college and complete at least one degree. It has become so expected that many students who grace KSU’s campus take their education for granted and don’t understand the precious treasure they’re seeking.

Despite the economic downturn, receiving a college degree all but guarantees you a chance to seek a better, higher-paying job in a field that you prefer. It allows you to pursue graduate and post-graduate degrees to advance not only your own knowledge, but also the knowledge needed to advance the world. If it were not for the education I’ve received, I would not have the job I do today; nor would I be sitting here writing this very column. The chance of receiving an education is the greatest gift that’s ever been bestowed upon me, and I cannot thank those involved in that process enough for everything they’ve done for me.

As you read this, please contemplate your own future, both in terms of your education and what lies beyond your time at KSU. Do you realize as you sit on our wonderful campus the opportunities within the doors of every classroom building? Someone in your life, whether it’s your parents, grandparents, wealthy benefactors, scholarships donors, loan makers or yourself, has provided you with the chance of a lifetime. You cannot and must not take it for granted.

Receiving a college degree is not meant to be easy. It takes dedicated work and a commitment to achieve the honor of being a college graduate, but it’s an effort that will pay off when you finish. However, you must have fun, enjoy yourself and treasure the memories that your education can provide. Over the past few years, I’ve had the pleasure of working on political campaigns, hosting a show on Owl Radio and writing for The Sentinel,  all while I’ve taken courses that both challenged and engaged me in what they had to offer. These experiences have defined the person I am and who I strive to be.  When I first set foot on KSU’s campus, I never thought for even an instant I would do what I have done.

As I depart KSU and move onto the next chapter in my life, it’s your turn to seize your time here and define who you are. I promise you won’t regret a single moment Between the struggles and triumphs of your college career, you will find in your heart, mind and soul just how important education is for us all. KSU, and all college campuses for that matter, are amazing places where opportunities are endless and the wonders of the world are unlocked for all who wish to pursue them. The sun is setting on spring semester 2010, but summer and fall are on the horizon. A new day is dawning, and it’s yours for the taking. Don’t take this opportunity for granted, and your wildest dreams will be realized.

Thank you to each and every one of you - professors, classmates and most importantly friends and family - who’ve made these past few years the best of my life. To everyone else, good night and good luck.