Inevitably, West Chester students are surrounded by things to do on campus. This university gives students the opportunity to be involved in ways they will never again find in the “real world.” From intramural sports to the anime club, and from special guests to full blown concerts, sometimes the range of possibilities is almost overwhelming.
In fact, when I transferred to West Chester from a community college, I was floored by the opportunities before me. Despite saving me a large hunk of money, my community college experience was one without a lot of benefits. I probably could have been involved in more ways than I realized, but without the magnitude of options constantly surrounding students, I spent my first two-and-a-half years of college only on campus to suffer through classes and run to my car.
I could look back now and regret the opportunities I missed. Furthermore, I could coast through West Chester the same way I did my previous two years and then in another two years down the road I could regret all the opportunities I would be missing here. Thankfully, when I transferred to West Chester, I stopped watching life pass by and started being a player in my own success. Specifically, I started writing for The Quad.
My first semester writing consisted mostly of a couple hot headed rants on society that were oh so graciously printed in the Op-Ed section by former Op-Ed editor, Jack Barnett. Seeing my name in print for the first time ensured my continued involvement in The Quad, and the following semester I found myself exploring new topics, developing informed opinions, and stretching my writing skills each and every week. Needless to say, I learned a lot.
Then one day, I saw an ad in The Quad for the Op-Ed editor position as Mr. Barnett was graduating and moving on. Here I sit today in a plush swivel chair at a beatiful Mac desktop I could never dream of affording, writing to you, the student body of West Chester University. I am not sure if it is my unique opportunity to reach out to all of you, my fondness of writing, editing and design, or the pleasure of meeting with the awesome staff here at The Quad each Sunday morning, but I know for sure that two years from now when I look back at my experience at West Chester University, I will not have a single regret.
To those students with any interest in writing, editing, design, or media of any kind, I strongly encourage you get involved with The Quad. To all those other students, I realize that you may not all be avid writers, but I encourage you to find your niche the way I found mine. The opportunities on this campus are ever abounding. Take advantage of them while you can.
– Joy Wilson
Op-Ed Editor