Spring is always seen as a season of new beginnings, new growth. The hard part is that sometimes the changes we see in our life aren’t always positive, sometimes they’re negative. The way to get through it, in my opinion, is to take it one day at a time and find a way to grow from it.
The spring, when in college, is a time of ending. We see our friends graduate, our friends go home, and classes end for a few months. For some, that can be very emotionally draining. As we step into the second month of this spring semester, I urge everyone to stop for a moment. Take a breath. Step out of the moment for a second and fully enjoy it. You truly never know if you’ll get another like it. Enjoy laughing with your roommates, doing homework outside, or walking to class.
One change that has slowly approached not only myself, but also The Trend, is that we lost our office. As our department moves to Canning Hall, it doesn’t make sense for us to remain in Davis Hall alone. A level of sadness that I didn’t expect washed over me as I had to empty out our room. The room where I became part of this family. The room where I watched The Trend come back to life and blossom into what it is today. It started in that room with two guys who had a vision for change. It started with Daniel Buster and Harrison Stone wanting to change our website and grow our staff. It moved to the summer, where Harrison and I plotted our way into so many weird events – including a circus meant for children. We began building the culture of the paper, we wanted it to be fun and welcoming for any major. We wanted to change the stigma surrounding The Trend.
Of course, The Trend lived in that office long before us three kids came along. That room has a history for us, it holds memories of so many editors and staff members. It was extremely hard for me to let that go. However, taking my own advice, I reminisced for a moment, took a breath, and decided to embrace the change. It’s the only option that benefits me in the end, as I can’t hold onto a room forever. I’ll always have the memories from within it.
Our college years are a time for growth. How are you growing right now? What habits are you setting for future you? What are you doing to better your future? All the big questions are swirling through our heads, but don’t forget the smaller ones. Am I present in the moment? Am I finding the right balance in life? Am I happy in the season I’m currently in?
Life can change in an instant. You can make that change happen. With that thought, I return to my first statement: spring is a season of change. Don’t forget to enjoy it every once in a while!
Emily Loughridge is a third-year communication major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
