By Reilly Mesco, Editor-in-Chief

It’s the beginning of the end of my time at Armstrong, and it’s kind of bumming me out. In December, I’ll march across the stage in a $63 polyester get-up and proudly shake hands with my professors. Later, I’ll jump up and down, probably hug my friends that are graduating with me and as much as I hate to admit this, I’m a crier – I tend to cry at almost anything…weddings, bad days, commercials with stray animals – so there will definitely be tears.

But then…what? As of right now, I haven’t figured out my plan for after graduation. Refinery 29 hasn’t realized that they need a 23-year-old to be their senior fashion editor yet, so I’m kindly giving them time to come to their senses. Should I travel? Will I ever come back if I just hop on a plane and go spend the rest of my twenties with my Irish godmother? Should I stay in Savannah? Should I apply to jobs on the west coast, or stay in the southeast?

I honestly don’t know what’s going to happen, or what I should do.

But seriously, who knows exactly what the next phase of their life is going to look like?! I had an idea of how my college career would play out and let me tell you, it has been very, very different. I did not expect to love writing and editing as much as I have come to love it, which is all due to my time as an English major, a Writing Center tutor, and an editor. I didn’t think I would become even more outspoken than I already am, but um…apparently I could. I didn’t think I would fall in love until I was a “real” grown-up and yet, I have. I didn’t think I would meet friends that I care about as much as my three older sisters, but the constant group text on my phone says otherwise…and you have to really love people to not be annoyed by a group text.

One thing I do know is that I have experienced all of these things because I got involved on campus. We live in a world that makes it extremely easy to be uninvolved. Yes, it’s easier and less scary to stay in bed with Netflix, but it’s not nearly as much fun as actually interacting with people. Some of them will be freaks – that’s just an inescapable part of life. But some of them will be amazing and hilarious. I mean, some of the freaks may be amazing and hilarious anyway. What I’m trying to say is don’t be passive…please, for the love of all things holy, don’t be passive. Be active. Get involved. Talk to people in your classes, speak up during group discussions and smile at someone on campus as you walk past them. Human interaction is a beautiful part of our existence and we are rapidly forgetting that fact.

For me, getting involved happened because I joined The Inkwell. I started as a writer, and then became the Arts & Entertainment editor, then the News editor, and ultimately Editor-in-Chief. Each position came with a new set of challenges and I diligently figured out how to deal with them. Working for the newspaper has taught me to be bold and interested, both of which are very important qualities to possess in the real world. I’m not saying that you have to write for The Inkwell (I mean, we are always looking for more writers and it can be kind of thrilling to see your name in print) but you should consider doing something, anything new this semester – whether it’s getting involved with intramural sports, participating in Rush Week, or joining one of the many other clubs we have on campus. Becoming a part of a smaller group on campus can help you find a place in the grand scheme of things, so don’t be afraid to go to interest meeting because you don’t know anyone. Don’t be afraid to engage in the world around you. You won’t look like a dork because you’re enthusiastic, I promise. People think it’s cool to seem bored, but truthfully, only boring people are bored. So, get out there, Pirates! You’ll be amazed at what happens.