THE CARROLL NEWS: 

Staff Commentary: A Fresh Perspective
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Tim Ertle on 30 April, 2008 05:45:00
 
As the school year comes to an end, we get the opportunity to do a lot of
reflecting and evaluating. We rate the performance of everyone from the people
that make our food to the people that teach us in the classroom.
I decided that after evaluating the performance of everyone else, I should take
some time to look in the mirror and evaluate myself during my freshman year. I
realized that I learned an awful lot in such a short period of time. I learned
some from my very expensive textbooks, but I think I may have learned more
outside of the classroom.
Mostly, I learned about myself. For the first time in my life, I really felt
like I was an adult. The days of my parents watching over me were gone forever.
From now on, I will have a lot more responsibility in my life.
My main job at JCU was to be a student. Living away from home taught me
responsibility.
I could go out on the weeknights or skip a class and no one would even notice.
It was my job to get to class and get good grades.
Quickly, I saw that college isnt exactly like Animal House.
I learned a lot about time management as the distractions at school are
plentiful. Sometimes you have to say no to a game of Madden or a trip to
every freshmans mecca on the corners of Cedar and Lee to get some work done.
I discovered how much my family means to me. I would no longer see the people
that had been such a huge part of my life on a daily basis. Last year at this
time, I couldnt wait to leave my house and get away from my five younger
siblings. Now, I cant wait to go home and hangout with them this summer.
I realized how much my friends mean to me. Not seeing them at school every day
was tough to get used to.
While I could certainly make new friends, I missed the people I made high
school memories with. Luckily, I have managed to keep in touch with most of
them.
I learned what (I think) I want to do. Through my employment with the Sports
Information Department and my time with The Carroll News, I realized that I
want to pursue a career in some form of sports media.
I learned a lot of valuable lessons in just over eight months at JCU.
As tuition climbs to over $34,000 next year and I see how much money I spent in
one year, its nice to know that some of the best things you can learn are free.