I am a super senior embarking on my final victory lap.
I'm not quite sure I understand the terminology. If I were so super
I conceivably would have made it out of here in the four years everyone else graduates in. And a victory lap is usually reserved for someone who wins a race, not someone who takes another 365 days to complete it.
I know both of those terms are supposed to make me feel better about staying here longer, but they're essentially the honorable mention of college graduation. I half expect a blue star to show up on my diploma, alongside a handwritten note from President McDavis commending me for a nice effort.
Not that there aren't good reasons for staying in school more than four years; I completely understand why some people do it. Some degrees have graduation requirements that require the extra time, some people switch majors and some others take time off for an internship or personal reasons.
Of course, there are those who just want to spend more time in Athens. It's understandable, considering the current job market. In June, USA Today reported that four-year colleges across the nation managed to graduate only 53 percent of their incoming students in six years, so at least I'm not alone.
I'm just whining about it.
To spare everyone around me from my incessant complaining - I'm lonely I'm old All of my friends have jobs and I don't - I'm trying to keep looking on the bright side of things and take advantage of all of my extra year in Athens.
I've adopted the clichéd Bucket List in an attempt to find new and exciting ways to not irritate my roommates. Especially now that we have just finished Beatles: Rock Band, and I'm not entirely sure how to play NCAA Football 10, although it's still exciting to see the game feature The Post's logo in virtual form after playing a game as the Bobcats.
Most of the list consists of the things I'm embarrassed to say I didn't accomplish the first time around. Like taking part in Palmerfest and the ensuing riots, visiting Strouds Run or going to a Homecoming game.
The rest are things I'm sure most people don't get done in four years, but I probably could manage in five. Like braving an open mic night, seeing the infamous spot at The Ridges or volunteering with a student organization. Small things, to be sure, but they're definitely a better use of my time than video games and Netflix.
In a lot of ways, I lucked out. I now have an extra year of limited responsibility, cheap Chinese food and even cheaper drinks. My run at this school now includes one more Halloween and Homecoming (this time with a football game), plus a hundred more parties. I also will spend more time in a beautiful town with great people and lots of personality.
And in the next few quarters, the job market will recover, and I'll find a job with great benefits and even better opportunities. Well, the first part at least.
Jessica Holbrook is a senior studying journalism and staff writer for The Post. Send her an e-mail at jh136105@ohiou.edu
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Opinion
Jessica Holbrook
