Seniority rules come May

Newsflash for any senior who is a week away from leaving this joint -- you are about to embark on one of life's greatest pleasures.

Of course this is just the beginning of a long, prosperous journey for many seniors, but it is one, none-the-less, that deserves some due recognition. We pay a lot of money to go here, so why not sit back and enjoy the last few moments at Fredonia.

We at The Leader decided that for our final editorial of the year, we would take the opportunity to congradulate all seniors at SUNY Fredonia for a job well done.

When trying to come up with a perfect phrase to describe our feelings of seeing our seniors go we turned to Pandora for some inspirational music. The first song to come to life seemed to do just that -- and did it ever hit the nail on the head in this case.

"And it's hard to say, who you are these days. But you run on anyway, don't you baby?"

Tom Petty may have had a hard time understanding life when he wrote this song, but that sure shouldn't be the case for anyone about to graduate May 14.

While the current job market may be scarier than Donald Trump's personality, graduates have known all along what would lie ahead once they earned their final credit.  

Students should have two orientation meetings when they first arrive to college. One explaining about college life and everything that happens on a day-to-day basis while the other explaining how not everyone will find a job when they graduate. While that may sound cruel, it's the nature of the beast.

Of course, as the final editorial for the year, we do not want to appear as if we are ending on a down beat; in fact we are applauding those who have made it through and are a week away from finsihing their college career.

This editorial is for every senior out there about to walk across the stage next Saturday to end their college career at Fredonia. Whether a four-year resident or a two-year transfer student, everyone about to embark outside these comfy confines will leave with a little blue devil in them.

For those of you going on to graduate school, we applaud you; this uncertain climate will push more to seek higher forms of education to be better prepared for the job market. This particular editorial, however, is not about the dismal world out there for upcoming college graduates. This is about taking a step back and reflecting on a job well done.

Not too long ago, getting a college degree was a rare feat for an individual usually held for teachers and hopeful astronauts. Of course times have changed, and more teens now then ever are applying to colleges across the nation. This, however, should not belittle the accomplishment of finishing a college degree. To graduate means putting in hours of work and dedication unmatched in the world.

Regardless of the location, to earn a college degree today is a reason to celebrate. We are truly fortunate to have the ability to get a great education that will follow you for the rest of your lives.

We at The Leader believe all graduates about to walk across the stage should take one last look at Fredonia and simply take in the surroundings. It will be the last time you see the campus in this light. Literally too, this campus is about to go through some serious remodeling once everyone leaves for the summer.

Of course, we do understand not everyone is meant to go to college. As it was ‘back in the day' college is really for those looking to further their education outside of high school. If an individual feels they can live a successful life without a college degree, all the power to them. Of course, anyone reading this most likely is a college student.

It was not too long ago that a lot of us were in high school contemplating what to do with our lives. A lot of us decided to go to college; some decided to join the military; some even chose to go directly into the workforce. Regardless of the path choosen, it goes to show our willingness to go out and make a living.

In the end (pun intended) it's really all about the seniors. To get that piece of paper in the mail weeks after seniors graduate is a moment to remember. Up until this point, it's probably one of the biggest moments in your life -- baring you haven't gotten married, arrested, summoned for jury duty and actually sat in a trial, solved a Scooby Doo Mystery or a combination of the four. (It's always the only guy in the Scooby episode who is the bad guy)

Hanging that piece paper on a wall seems like an unfitting way to remind the world of the best four years of your life. If only everything else in this world were as gratifying as finishing college. Of course there probably is, but who knows, we're only just kids.