Senior columnist faces reality of graduation, growing up

When you are about to go to college for the first time, you think that means you are all grown up. You quickly learn that this is not the case.

Leaving home for perhaps the first time, one discovers what it is like to have a ''family'' of people your own age, take care of issues by yourself and grow up in the process of learning new information and having new experiences.

Now that I'm about to graduate from college, I once again feel like I'm all grown up. Yet this time I realize that I will have many new learning experiences that will only keep me ''growing up'' in the years to come.

Augustana has also grown up during my four years here. When I was a freshman, President Oliver was riding his Harley around campus for his inauguration. Also, the art building was dedicated, and now serves as a great cultural example for the state.

My sophomore year held two huge announcements close together: the generous donations for the library and football stadium.

This year, Augustana held its first all on-campus Homecoming, hosting Viking Varieties and the Homecoming football game on campus. Recent changes have included taking down the staircase to nowhere in the Commons building and the installation of carpet in the Commons.

We seem to spend our lives trying to grow up as fast as we can, yet now when we have to, I seem to revert to childish comforts like Disney movies and ice cream. Do we really have to grow up?

As seniors we are leaving behind the Augie ''bubble'': that safe warm feeling of comfort, where the ladies in the Huddle know our names, Georgia gives wise advice and our professors guide us toward that walk across the stage to get that diploma.

Then, it is on to new things like a job, new place to live, new roommates, a new city, state or country. I, for one, will feel confused the first few times I see a South Dakota license plate on my car instead of my native Minnesota.

With the changes coming up in my life, I can only reflect to say that Augustana (and my parents) have prepared me well in both handling change and growing up to be a confident, strong woman. I really think Augie gives people the confidence to believe in themselves and to trust their decision making.

Personally, I feel certain people at Augustana have really encouraged my strengths to grow and provided the guidance needed for me to become a better person.

I encourage students to find their home at Augustana. Two things really helped me find mine: my group of friends and being a leader in Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). My friends provided laughter, hugs and wonderful memories. PRSSA allowed me to grow as a business person and give me confidence and experience going in the communication and business field.

I have grown up; you can't help but do it. Apparently, only Peter Pan doesn't have to.