Jason's Blog

Blog entry for April 19, 2010

Dear Friends,

The reality of graduating is coming closer everyday. While I am very excited to complete my degree, there are a number of things about my experience that I will miss.

First and foremost, I am going to miss the many close friendships I have built over the past four years. While I want to stay in touch with each of you and everyone I have met, I know that the realities of new jobs, new University experiences, and perhaps new cities to live in will make this difficult. I hope we can bridge these gaps, and stay in touch as we each set out after our own goals and ambitions.

Secondly, I will miss the structure of my undergraduate program. While morning lectures were challenging, I enjoyed having my day planned out for me. It was fun to learn from my many professors, and to have each semester come to a definite "end" and have a fresh start in the following month. This structured timetable will change as we move into the next stage of our lives.

Thirdly, I will miss residence. For those who have lived even a part of your degree on campus, I think the halls come to hold a special place in our hearts. It is difficult to describe one's life "on campus", as recreation and work blend together into the experience of life. For many of you, your living conditions may change for next year. However they change, I encourage you to take every opportunity to meet those around you, and be a positive role model for the University of Calgary.

Finally, I am going to miss my ID card! Especially because I've lived in Residence, it has been my lifeline - a bus pass, a meal ticket, the means to print anything from the library, my admission to the fitness centre, and my "key card" access to get into the Engineering computer lab. Whatever cards replace these functions; I will miss my UC ID.

In closing, I want to wish you well on your exams. I hope you can take a few minutes to think about the people you will miss after you graduate, and remind them of how important they have been in your journey through the University of Calgary.

A thought to end with:

"People often say that this or that person has not yet found him/herself. But the self is not something that one finds. It is something one creates."
-Thomas Szasz

All the best,

Jason Motkoski

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