If you had told me three years ago that I would be looking for jobs in the publishing industry with an Albion College degree in communication studies and a minor in religious studies, I would have told you that you had the wrong number and hung up the phone.
I decided to attend Albion because, from my visit and brochures, it was different from what I expected college to be. I did not think that the size of a school or its location would play a factor into my happiness there. I was very wrong.
Within two weeks of attending Albion, I had started transfer applications to other schools because I really could not stand Albion. It was too small, and I felt like I was still in high school because of how everyone knows each other and the professors wanted to do more than just lecture. Looking back on that now, it’s actually kind of funny to me because those are the things about Albion that I’ve come to love, and I already miss them.
But as an ignorant, self-righteous first-year student who was fed up with his school, I made no attempts to associate with the Albion community outside of my hall in ground floor east of Wesely.
As fate would have it, one thing led to another and I returned my sophomore year, joined a fraternity and became much more involved on campus. I was a psych major at the time, and after an unsuccessful bout with research design and analysis, I decided to switch my major to communication studies. After going over my modes and categories and the graduation requirements for the major, I came to the conclusion that I would still graduate on time, and the universe sighed its magical sigh.
It turned out to be a great decision on my part. The comm major fit well with my experience working for The Pleiad and I began building a pretty strong resume. Sure, I loved psychology. I am still very interested in it, but I can hardly do long division, let alone conduct extensive statistical analysis.
So, why am I giving you my life story? Well, as May 10 draws closer, I’ve been reflecting a lot on my time in Albion and how much it has changed since I’ve been here.
To be honest, 90 percent of the people that read this have no idea what they are doing. That is, they have no idea what they are going to be doing moving forward. Life takes so many unforeseeable twists and turns, no matter who you are or what you (intend to) do.
Whatever is going to happen, is going to happen when it happens, regardless of what happens.
I have no idea what I would be doing right now if I had transferred after my first year at Albion College. Who knows and who cares?
What I do know is I’ve been at Albion for nearly four years now and it’s all coming to a screeching halt. I know that I’ve had some of the best experiences in my life on this campus with these people and in this town. Those are memories that I will never forget.
That, to me, is the true Albion Advantage.
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