Oh, my. Here it is. The last column I will ever write for The Collegian and as an Ashland University student. I can’t say that I’m sad and I cant’ say that I’m happy. It’s a very surreal feeling, but one of peace I suppose.

Over the years I have written about how students should be enjoy their time here, and if they hate it, they should simply leave. College is what you make it, right? You came to AU, you knew what it was like, so now make the best of it and enjoy your years. AU still has a lot to offer, especially if you have the correct attitude.

Over the years, I have also written about what is wrong with AU, the things that need changed, and my feelings on subjects and programs that I think need to be severely looked at. After all, this is my college, my school – I want it to be a good one. I want AU to be able to offer up more entertainment, hire people that aren’t just AU alumni, and for the love of God, actually man up and say they fired someone for a change.

Kind of contradicting actions, eh? Well, I suppose in the end, it’s really a 50/50 thing. Because of my time in the Journalism and Digital Media department, as well as working on the newspaper, I have gotten a chance to see the best and worst of the school. I’ve heard and seen the amazing things we as a college campus have accomplished, and I’ve also had people blatantly tell me that I can’t report something because it would “make AU look bad.” It’s been fun and it’s been frustrating.

You can’t just see all the good and not look at the bad. That’s not journalism, so really, if you are asking me to not report or look into something, what are you teaching me? How are you preparing me?

However, I have also been given a lot of opportunities (mainly through JDM’s department and programs) that I wouldn’t have gotten from other schools.

So it’s a push and pull. And that’s fine. My advice for those who get to experience more years here, is to enjoy yourself, of course. Appreciate what AU can do for you, the choices you have made, and how lucky you are. But don’t be naïve and fool yourself into thinking that nothing goes wrong here. I have seen many people walking around so determined to love this school that they refuse to point out what’s wrong with it. They insist nothing is wrong.

That’s not healthy and it’s not real life, either. If you want to look back on your years in college and be happy with them, find the things you love, but allow yourself to be educated and informed enough to see what’s wrong. That way, you know that you enjoyed your school, and loved it enough to want better or look for change.

It’s funny how such a sense of relief, accomplishment, growth, and satisfaction can come from a 50/50 situation.