Staff Opinion: Hitting up Auburn, in true rock star form

Having been at Auburn four years, I’ve read my share of sappy, resilient, nostalgic and all-around emo “farewell” columns written by graduating Plainsman staffers.

I’ve always laughed at them, and even as I am about to graduate, I feel no different.

There’s no reason to get emo about graduating.

Sure, college was an absolute blast, and it has taught me so many things about life, whether in the classroom or not.  

But life is just starting.

We can’t live like rock stars for the rest of our lives. Really, I have lived like Steven Tyler for four years, minus the musical talent and millions of adoring fans.

I partied a ton, I barely worked and I had plenty of money in the bank (thanks, Mom).

Ah, that I will miss. The only way I could continue this lifestyle is if I joined Aerosmith. By the way guys, if you’re reading this, I can play a mean cowbell.

Come to think of it, I didn’t learn as much as I thought I would in class, but this tiny village on the Plains taught me other priceless things. I will always be grateful for them.

When I arrived at Auburn in fall 2004, I was terrified. I didn’t know a soul for two states and couldn’t hold my alcohol.

So I did what most kids do who had no high school friends at college: I joined a fraternity.

Thanks, fraternity, for teaching me to drink. It’s a skill I will hold dear and always practice.

When I arrived at Auburn in fall 2004, I had never been to an Auburn football game.

Now, I don’t know how I ever lived without them.

I will always remember that special season during my first year here. I still get chills when I think about the pass Courtney Taylor caught from Jason Campbell in the back of the end zone in the last minutes of the LSU game.

I honestly feel sorry for students younger than me who weren’t able to witness that.

Thanks, Auburn football, for making me another one of your die-hard fans. Because of you I will be happy, frustrated and exhilarated every fall for the rest of my life.

When I arrived at Auburn in fall 2004, I was very — shall we say — inexperienced.

Thanks, random friends, for introducing me to the “hippie world” and Adult Swim. Because of you, I know never to touch them in the “real world.” It will just make me lazy or hungry.

But that’s what college was all about to me.

It’s the one point in my life when I knew I could kick back, do things I wouldn’t normally do and have no regrets.

A few months from now, I’ll be working full-time and lead a much duller life.

You know it’s true. Why do you think old people hate young people?

It’s because we have more fun and don’t have many worries to deal with.

So as I enter the bland and tedious work force, I can honestly say I’m not as prepared as I’d like to be.

However, I’m wiser and know without a doubt I lived my college experience to the fullest.

That’s what was important to me as I weathered four years of parties, road trips, all-nighters, random hook ups and writing papers. (You know, what Steven Tyler has done for what seems like an eternity.)

Thanks, Auburn, for showing me a great time. Without you, I wouldn’t have known what life is like for a rock star.

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