Today a colleague and I went to a job fair at my alma mater to recruit some staff. I was a bit leary of returning. Not sure why. It’s been five years and a lot’s changed in my life since those days. The days I have had fond memories of, yet little recollection. Is that possible? I remember that I had a great time, but doing what, I’m not sure.

Once I stepped foot on campus it all came back. I remember chatting out in the smokin’ section with coffee in hand before class started. I remember drinks in the campus bar after a challenging test. I remember our free time spent in the upstairs pub where we played Magic Carpet Ride by Steppenwolf (which is older then me, but still a wicked song) on the jukebox continuously until we were cursed at repeatedly.
I remember where I met certain people the first time, conversations, parties, everything. It all came back. The rush of the first day walking on campus, not knowing a soul; the panic, the worry, everything.

For two short years that I was at college, the impact of that time is unbelievable. Post-secondary school is more then just an academic necessity these days; the social aspect, the experimenting, the freedom and lack of parental control all sculpts us into the adults we ultimately become. The trouble one causes, the heartbreak, the responsibility incurred… all make us or break us.

Over the past year or so I have been having reoccurring thoughts about what I would have done differently had I been able to go back. I wouldn’t goof off and ruin a great academic career; don’t get me wrong, I learned a lot; but there is more I could have learned had I been a more mature student and realized the impact these years would have. Other then that, I wouldn’t change a thing. I wouldn’t change one single thing; thanks to today.
It did, however, really make me miss the friends I had made, the freedom I had and the intensity (or lack there of) in college life. But had it not been for that place at that time, I wouldn’t have met Mike and I wouldn’t be where I am today.

I haven’t decided if that was a blessing or a hindrance.

As for the job fair itself; it was enlightening and somewhat beneficial. I hope that we have a couple prospective employees, because GAWD knows I need some relief.