Get This! by Amy Lombardo

I consider myself to be a relatively hip chick. I can hang with the 'in crowd', I'm 'down', I'm 'with it'... I'm making a complete idiot out of myself. There are times, however, when I doubt the authenticity of my self-proclaimed cool status.

One of these lapses in my security took place recently when I was contemplating the fact that I would soon don that beautiful gown and walk down that aisle. I am, of course, referring to graduation. My expected diploma date is December, 1999.

I was thinking about getting out into the "real world". (For, as all students know, life before a career is make-believe. Yep, it's just puppy dogs and sunshine when you're in school. I hope the amnesia that apparently takes over the memories of adults doesn't hurt much.) Anyway, the reality of my situation started to take hold. If everything went according to plan, I would never again be legally bound to take a class of any sort.

Now, this may seem like a reason to rejoice. All of my life I have been told that I'm not supposed to like school. Remember the song, "No more teachers, no more books...". The end of school is a celebration, yeah? It's party time, right?

Maybe this it is for most, but Ñ and here's where I began to question my 'cool' image Ñ I'm going to miss school.

There, I said it! It's in print so I cannot deny it. It's true. Gosh, it feels so good to get it off my chest! I think I shall say it again. I am really going to miss school. Wow, feel the cleansing begin. The books, the professors, the students, the chalkboards Ñ I will miss all of it deeply. I am not ashamed of it. In fact, I am proud of it. I like school. Heck, I may even take some classes for personal growth and enjoyment next year even though I am not required to by anyone.

Most importantly, I think I will really enjoy my last semester (knock on wood) here at UMÑSt. Louis. I may finally be able to relax and learn even more now that I have come out and admitted I do have, at least some, nerd qualities.

When you think about it, who tends to be more successful in the long-run Ñ the 'cool clique' or the 'nerd herd'?

What exactly is wrong with being a 'nerd' anyway? What is a 'nerd'? I would say, generally speaking, she is someone who enjoys the 3 'Rs Ñ reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic. ...Okay, in my particular case, it would only be the first two 'Rs. Numbers scare the life out of me. She is also someone who works hard and efficiently, probably punctual and responsible. Maybe not the snazziest dresser, but let's not get materialistic at a time like this. So far, I don't think any of this qualifies as bad. In fact, it all sounds pretty darn admirable to me. Maybe nerds have been chastised out of jealousy all these years. Maybe the whole reason they have been ridiculed is because others were afraid of their ability.

Well, not anymore. I, for one, will do my best to seek out my inner nerd this semester and really rock the classroom for once!

See, I already sound more nerdiesque.