Erin Cochran/Winonan

As I sat down to write this final op-ed I realized something truly terrifying…I really am graduating. It’s over for real this time. No more school is out for the summer shenanigans; it’s over for good.

At the beginning of this school year, I was so over it and just prayed for the end of the year to come faster. I just wanted to close my eyes and wake up just as I would be walking across the stage to collect my diploma.

Now, I’m two weeks away from that reality setting in and I just want to go back! Yes, I feel like I have paid my dues and grown as a person through my higher educational experience, but once I’m in the real world and I get that first bill to pay off my student loans, it will be awful.

The real world doesn’t seem too scary, as I have a job lined up for after graduation, but it will hit me hard come end of August, when I realize I won’t be returning to Winona to partake in “freshman week,” downtown festivities, or Homecoming in the student section.

I’ll have to be an oldie and sit in the actual fans section and pay to attend the game. There’s no worse realization than that you won’t get student discounts anymore.

The past four years I’ve had at Winona State have been truly incredible. Yes, it’s been stressful and there was so many times I just wanted to be done and over with already, but now, I wish I had a time machine to go back to all the memorable and not so memorable times.

From being involved in every club under the sun, holding leadership positions and actually feeling that my voice mattered to growing close to friends that I will cherish for years and years to come, this place has been magical.

When I return to Winona, this time as an alum, I expect to see a couple things. First off, there better be a Chipotle or else I will freak!

I don’t even know how many Facebook groups and “petitions” I’ve signed to get a Chipotle in this sleepy town. I mean really, there are three colleges in this river town, the business would be booming.

Next, I hope to see more clubs on campus that are more inclusive. I would love to see more clubs start on up that include those who would not normally go and become a member.

I mean we have a League of Legends and online gaming club, there’s a group for everyone and with the right amount of PR, those who wouldn’t usually reach out will have a resource and a group of friends.

Finally, I want to see more people attending the sporting events, not just football and leave at half time.

From the biased point of view of a sports reporter, I want to see fellow students get just as excited as I am when I write my articles and feel school pride through the amazing athletics we offer.

Contact Erin at [email protected]