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Reflections from an Already Nostalgic Senior

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 By Laura Hinkle 

As my time in college draws to a close, I can’t help but reflect on my past four years at UofL. It has truly been the best of times and the worst of times, but I feel a sense of peace knowing that a younger me at ten, fourteen, or even eighteen would be thrilled knowing where I’m at in life. While developing new friendships and having new experiences was a journey in and of itself, I feel it’s important to reflect on the knowledge I’ve gained as a college student. In a fashion similar to Robert Benchley’s “What College Did to Me,” here are some of the most important things I learned each year:

Freshman Year

  1. Yes, it’s obvious you’re a freshman.
  2. French and Arabic are fun to learn in theory but definitely aren’t for the faint of heart.
  3. The Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility absolutely applies to tacos consumed.
  4. Pericles had a cool name and magnetic charisma (thanks to Dr. Gregg for that one).
  5. Au pairing is not as fun and simple as it sounds.

Sophomore Year

  1. There’s an inverse relationship between sitting with your friends in class and getting good grades.
  2. Cockroaches are very hard to trap and kill.
  3. Banana bread is infinitely better with chocolate chips in it.
  4. You can definitely function on five hours of sleep.
  5. When taking a test, you really shouldn’t assume everything is common sense. 

Junior Year

  1. Pandemics are no joke.

Senior Year

  1. Ford Hall has a back stairwell.
  2. The more you learn, the more you realize how little you know.
  3. If you speak with enough confidence people usually believe you.
  4. The need for academic validation doesn’t decrease as you grow older.
  5. Friendship is a lovely thing.

If my parents or professors are reading this, yes, I promise I actually learned many other important things along the way. I discovered a deep love for feminist philosophy and political research. I realized how capable I am of achieving my goals, and at the same time, how to prioritize my mental and emotional health. I have a better sense of my place in the world. Last, and most importantly, to all my high school social studies teachers who said I would grow out of my idealistic optimism, I’m still an optimist!

Laura Hinkle is a McConnell Scholar in the class of 2022. She is studying political science, philosophy, and history at the University of Louisville.

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