May 21st, 2008
I haven’t graduated, but my A&M days are done. Never again will I arrive five minutes late, or on the rare occasion, actually on time to a class in Wehner, Zachary, or Blocker. Wow.
I will be spending the rest of my undergraduate career at the University of Edinburgh through an independent study abroad program. So while I’ll still get my degree from Texas A&M, I don’t feel like an A&M student any longer. It seems like yesterday when I came to college for the very first time, unpacked my luggage and furniture into Lechner Hall, and started a new life—a grown up life. Little did I know how not grown up I was at the time.
The past three years at Texas A&M have integrally changed the person that is Erika Schmidt. I’ve gone through amazing highs, and a few really low lows. I’ve met people that will be my closest friends for years to come, and gone through several eye-opening, life changing experiences. I visited the town that I grew up in last week—I didn’t go home for a week. At the same time, College Station isn’t home anymore either; most of the people that made it home are gone for the summer, and I’m moving away in September. It’s a strange feeling, losing a sense of place. This transition period is a good one, and certainly an exciting one, but one that I have to deal with alone. Coming to college, I had all my best friends from high school, my family, and tons of support from advisors. Leaving college, I face decisions much more independently and must make these decisions without clear cut guidance from those around me. It’s a feeling I’m not quite used to—I hope it sinks in soon.
Anyway, onto less reflective topics, I’m beginning my research project this summer. I’m working with Dr. Visser in the business school on ethics research, and hopefully, we will get published in a journal later this year. The research is very open right now, as I’m delving into the world of literature review and finding all kinds of distracting articles. The idea of doing independent research appealed to me because I’ve never done anything like it; the adrenaline rush of possible failure through an unfamiliar challenge is something that really excites me. I hope I can do it, but only time will tell. That being said, I’m off to the library to throw myself into computer databases. Wish me luck!
