Slippery Rock University - Saxigena Yearbook (Slippery Rock, PA)

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Even before one life situation reaches a climax the seeds of another hove already been planted. So it happened with the transition between high school and college. I hoted to see my high school days come to an end. They seemed so carefree and fun that I didn't want to look to the future and uncertainty. But, as it many times does, the future swept in becoming the present and here I was at Slippery Rock State College. Somehow as my mother left I began to think I'm a man now. I con do it. Whatever or whoever started me believing that was a fool for I became overwhelmed with the feeling of being lost and sank in to despair. Administrators with their serene smiles and warm hondshakes were of little reassurance to one very scared and lonely young man. Orientation and the wonderful glowing hope of meeting new people and creating these positive lasting friendships seemed more of a magician's trick than o reality for me. The reality at the time was that I was in a totally different and hostile new environment. I reached deep inside myself and pulled the friendly part of me away from the surface in fear. Yes, I wanted to know people, but no, I didn't want to try. I was scared. All I wanted was to be left alone. That I was for the first few weeks. I had made a little progress in warming up to my roommate, but it wos in those first few weeks and in many troubled times after that I looked to the mail to find my friends. They didn't let me down, especially my old girl Judy, who I left behind in high school. It was these friendships that I relied on first and then come to rely on throughout the semester. I soon discovered I wasn't the only person who eagerly owaited mail from someone special. It seems mail time was almost like Christmas everydoy since every letter received held something special inside. Then it came to classes. They seemed deceptively easy in those first few weeks. I can remember making many emergency stops on my advisor to be assured I was doing just the right thing. Soon I began to become accustomed to a regular college week and function fairly well on my own. It was in those first few months that the little niceties in people mattered the most. A little smile or friendly handshake were welcomed events. Eventually I began to feel I just could do it if I really wanted to. Some old man once told me, The good things in life ain't easy son. I guess it's all in what you are looking for. That's what I came to college hoping to discover. In a way I've failed since I still don't know what I'd like to do, but time is in my favor. Then came the time spent between tests: thot long drawn out period where a student was expected to keep pace with the syllabus. Eventually this time was rerouted for different activities. For some it became time to be with new found friends or even ploy games with romance. Then there were those who like myself found organizations to work for or groups to join. Thus in a way we all found a piece of something here at Slippery Rock to help make us happy. From the Greeks to Student Government to Sports, we all eventually began to find our people and places to be. It gove us somewhere to run if we needed and something to brag about if we didn't. Either way at least we weren't alone anymore.

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