Purple Haze
Finishing strong
By Lauren Bagian

Feb. 25, 2010

There is a wave of excitement that seems to take over the senior class when spring approaches. March means melting snow, warmer temperatures, PSSA testing for the juniors and a quick downhill ride for the seniors coasting straight to graduation. Commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2010 have been approved to take place at Messiah College on June 8 and student countdowns have already began (as of Thursday, Feb. 25, there are roughly 103 days until graduation, but who’s counting?).

It’s hard to believe that the last 13 years of public schooling, including kindergarten, are coming to an end, but because of that there is something very important to keep in mind. A very wise teacher of mine said something very important to my class after our last high school midterm exams: “People only remember how you start something and how you end it.” That is very true, and for some of us, freshman year is such a distant memory that only the end is in our sight. Therefore, in order to end the year, and the last 13 years, strong, all of us seniors must continue to focus on our studies and keep a good attitude when approaching exams and assignments so that we can all finish the year on a good note.

These words of wisdom can be applied to almost every area of life. No one remembers the beginning of the Super Bowl, but the last few nail-biting minutes are what everyone is talking about the next day at work. Then there is the classic game show line of “Double Jeopardy, when the scores can really change” that carries the same message. You should never sit back and think you’ve done enough before you finish. Graduation isn’t here yet and everyone will remember how you ended your senior year. You’re not done until you walk across the stage and switch your tassel, but then real life begins.