Published: February 03, 2008 11:02 pm      

The journey after college

A new chapter of life awaits graduates

MORGANTOWN — The last semester of college is an experience that is hard to duplicate.

Seniors go through many emotions, including excitement, sorrow, contentment and the wish to have done more during their time.

On May 18, thousands of students will graduate from West Virginia University and begin a new chapter of life, one that will hopefully build upon what they have learned and experienced through their undergraduate career.

Bethany George and Sarah Erwin, both occupational therapy graduate students, will begin their journey of helping people get back to normal health. Landon Bush, an elementary education major, will work at a summer camp for underprivileged children and then attend graduate school at Marshall University.

George’s journey began at a small Christian school in Ohio called Cedarville. She then transferred to WVU after her acceptance in the occupational therapy program. She and Erwin were roommates during the 2006-2007 school year and will begin a fieldwork rotation in Columbus, Ohio, and Wauchula, Fla., respectively.

They will begin their fieldwork on Feb. 11 and remain there until the last week in April. Erwin says that she looks forward to visiting the beach, Disney World and Sea World while she is there. George will be staying with her brother and can’t wait to reconnect with him.

Before graduation, George said that she will also be working on her graduation speech, resume, and finding the best location for her to work and live.

Bush, like Erwin and George, looks forward to life after college, but admits that he is nervous about making it on his own.

“I can’t wait to move into different relationships and starting my own family,” Bush said. “However, it is a scary move from (being) dependent on your family and parents to begin providing for you own life and possibly someone else’s.”

George claimed that she hasn’t “been very emotional or sad because I am pretty excited to finish class work and get into the real world.” However, she said that she will miss being with her sister and closest friends, and the easy access to learning materials that she has been provided with over the years.

Erwin and Bush agree that they will miss their friends and the college life. “I will miss seeing the people who I have seen for the past five years of my life,” Erwin said. “It will be hard to be far away from people that I am used to seeing quite a bit.”

Bush said, “When you are in college, you are so close to your friends. When you move on with your life, things change and you have more responsibility.”

If Bush could do one thing before he graduates, he would connect with his professors more than he has in the past.

“Honestly, I want to spend more time with my professors and get to know them more. I think that is one of the things you can do to make your college experience better. Honestly, I have done a horrible job of this,” he said.

George and Erwin look forward to life after graduation, saying that they are excited to finally help people in need and put to use the knowledge they have learned over the past five years.

Erwin added that she looks forward to not being stressed out over projects, tests and other assignments that have been a burden over the years.

“Oh, that whole paycheck thing will be pretty sweet, too,” Erwin said.