The feeling of the end

Spring in Sackville is a very strange time, at least it is for me. It's a time filled with endings and beginnings, smiles and tears, hellos and goodbyes. It's a time when the weather gets nice and the breeze blows warm and the sun only sets long after dinner. A time when all you want to do is walk through the Waterfowl Park and sit by the Swan Pond and yet your mounting pile of work pulls you into the Library each and every day. When everyone is happy because summer is fast approaching and new opportunities await, and yet this feeling of nostalgic sadness lingers as we think of leaving Sackville, saying goodbye those we care so much about and yet another wonderful year coming to an end. It's a time when you are being pulled in all directions - to your desk, to your friends, to your bed, to the Quad, to coffee and dinner dates with all those people you've been meaning to spend more time with. Work has never been harder, you've never been more torn and you've never had less motivation to get it done. And yet it always gets done. All of your things get packed away, you manage all of your goodbyes, do well on your exams and then suddenly it's over. And you just don't want to go.

I have never known a place that is loved more by a greater number of people than Sackville and Mount Allison. It is certainly one of the only schools where I've encountered an incredible number of students who would be happy to spend all of their time at school, minus some of the work of course. I don't know what it is, but there is something about Sackville that makes you feel like you belong, like this is your home and like this is just how life is supposed to be. Surrounded by friends at all times, lovely weather gracing your day on a regular basis and way too much fun to be had.

This year has been unbelievable. There were some lows and many highs but most importantly a lot of growth and a lot of learning. I can hardly believe that two weeks from now, my undergraduate career will be half over. Half over. Nuts. Absolutely nuts. A number of friends of mine will be graduating this year, and it's gotten me thinking about the whole process of graduation and made me quite sad about the whole idea, actually. The grad banquet, the election of the Valedictorian, Convocation, the grad trip... It's going to be amazing, but wow, do I ever not want to leave this place. University is such a strange period of time if you really think about it. The notion of "home" changes for a lot of people, you are constantly meeting, getting to know and parting from an unbelievable number of people and living your life in these weird chunks of four or eight months. Things are constantly changing and nothing is for certain. No one knows what they're doing for the summer, next year or tomorrow night and even if you think you do, you don't. University life is constantly in motion and things can fall into turmoil pretty quickly. But if you can step back, take it one day at a time and love what you have today, you'll be okay. Appreciate, relax and everything will get done and come together in its own time.

Much love,

Sue

sjhumphrey@mta.ca