The Talented Mr. Ripley

In my humanities class we're reading a book called The Talented Mr. Ripley. Some of you may have seen the movie, or even read the book, and wonder how it relates to anything I'm about to say. We're discussing what gives a person identity. My teacher asked the question "Are you going to be a different person after this year of college than you were when you first arrived?" That made me reflect a lot on the year and I've realized that the person who'll be leaving Centre in about a week is not the same person who arrived in August. I can't really pinpoint how I've changed, or even when, but I know I have. Choices that I made at the beginning of the year are not choices I would make now. Career paths I never dreamed I would think about have suddenly become a possibility. I guess college does that to you.

I don't have a lot to say. I have one day of class left for my first year as a student at Centre College. I'm still trying to grasp the idea, because to me, it's monumental. Three weeks ago, I would've been glad for it to be this time, but now that it's here, I'm not so sure how I feel about it. I'd like to say I'm ecstatic to be finishing up; no more papers, no more tests, no more classes, just relaxation and summer! But instead, I'm focusing on all the things about finishing up that get me down: ALL summer away from home, saying goodbye to Brandon and other friends, and a sophomore year without my brother, Nate (which isn't really a bad thing, but I like it when he's here).

I guess I could try to concentrate on the more positive aspects of being done, or maybe I could concentrate on the four finals I have coming up, and try to put everything else out of my mind...that might be a good idea.