My last first column

By Ben Tate

Over the past six months since my senior year began, I've noticed a trend in almost every aspect of college life as it relates to the finality of graduation: We have become obsessed with "lasts." Last first Wednesday, last spring break, last last Friday before dead week, last first day party of spring quarter -- nearly every day of the week is a last something, becoming a holiday to be celebrated.

First, let me say that there is nothing wrong with this sentiment. For us seniors, our last few months of freedom before we enter the real world are slowly winding down, and there's no harm in wanting to cherish every moment we have left. But I believe that this perspective, which views our last few months of college through the lens of its inevitable end, takes the focus away from the present and our ability to live in the moment.

This is the last time in our lives we will be able to do some of the things that being in college allows us to do. But adding "last," "last first" or "last last" to the activity brings a bittersweet element to the equation, rather than just enjoying it for what it is.

Don't play beirut on your front lawn on a Saturday afternoon because it's the last first sunny Saturday of spring quarter; do it because it's a beautiful day outside and you want to have a good time with your friends. Don't go to C&J's on Wednesday night when you have three Tuesday/Thursday classes back to back to back because it's the last first Wednesday of your college career; do it because you want to party with a ton of your classmates at a sketchy bar in the middle of the week, because you love Jack in the Box at 2 a.m. and, most of all, do it because you can.

I recall, and I'm sure many of you can, being sad at the end of my senior year of high school. I had a close group of friends and was having the time of my life. When you're having that much fun, it's hard to imagine that something better is ahead. At this point, I'm sure you'll agree that college is infinitely more fun than high school. The same is true about the next stage in life. It's difficult to see right now, but the future holds more possibilities for fun and exciting opportunities in our lives than we can possibly imagine. Maybe that's an overly optimistic statement, but maybe it's not. That's all part of the excitement of moving on to the next stage of our lives.

My point is this: We all know college is going to end, and end soon, but instead of mourning the end of college life by attaching all these "lasts" to everything, celebrate it. It's been an amazing three and two-thirds years so far, so stay in the moment, and enjoy every last second. Don't preoccupy your mind with its eventual end.

Live it up, seniors. I know I'm going to.

Ben Tate is a senior political science and economics double major.