Student gives earned advice
COMMENTARY
Emily Baker

They say college is about education, a time to learn the skills it takes to get along in life.

As I look back at the last four years, I have to say I disagree. College is the time to test those skills we learned as we grew up.

Before I stepped out on my own, I thought I had a pretty normal upbringing. My parents taught me the things everybody else’s parents taught them. But I was surprised to learn there were 18-year-olds who didn’t know not to put foil in the microwave, not to spend more money than they had and not to wash white T-shirts with red towels.

As I leave college and enter that “real world,” I have no reservations. I’ve had some great advice and examples along the way and quite a few people who have helped to make me the person I am:

• The most important thing my parents taught me was to never accept b.s. from anybody — especially myself.

• My grandpa once taught me that it doesn’t matter if I work my hind-end off if I’m not happy. He taught me to always do my best but never to sacrifice my happiness.

• My best friend, Jennifer McConnell, taught me how to stick by a friend. Though she sometimes had perfect reason to, she never once said, “I told you so.” We’ve known each other for 10 years now, and through all the messes adolescence invites, she was the strong one who never judged me, never laughed at me and always stood by me.

• There have been several people who have nurtured my love of journalism and taught me how to be better writer and reporter. I guess I should blame them for sending me to a life on the dark side — the life a newspaper reporter. Some of the great teachers I’ve had include Mr. Singleton, who first introduced me to journalism; Mr. Briggs; Bob Templeton, my mentor; Phil Record and Robert Bohler, who put me through j-school “boot camp” and helped me live through it. My former editor, Meta Minton, took a chance on a shy high school kid and gave me a job at Midland’s newspaper.

• I’d also like to thank Evan for putting up with me and Summer, Kristi and Brian for always being honest with me.

• And most importantly, I’ve had the perfect role model who is patient, supportive, caring and understanding. His name is Jesus, and even though He commands the universe, He cares enough about my stupid little human problems to always stick by me.

In only 15 days, I’ll fulfill a life goal: graduating from college. I still have several life goals left to complete, like riding in a fighter plane, visiting Australia, interviewing Willie Nelson, going on a shopping spree and having dinner with Matt Damon and Tom Cruise. Clearly, the most important of those life goals will be accomplished Dec. 20. I’ve been working toward that goal for 19 years now. Granted, it will probably take me even longer to complete some of my less serious life goals, but the last 19 years prove I can actually accomplish something if I just stick with it.

In the meantime, cue the hat toss. I’m going to make it after all.

Emily Baker is a senior news-editorial journalism major from Midland.