I’m graduating in two weeks, and somehow I can’t seem to muster up anything to say besides this: Thank God it’s all over.

Don’t get me wrong. My four years at SMU were the best in my life – I found tons of organizations to get involved in, I dove headfirst into some pretty fascinating classes (and some not-so-fascinating jobs) and I even found the time to study abroad twice. I’ve worked at The Daily Campus for the past year while trying desperately to find a job and juggle a social life and those pesky classes.

I’m friggin’ tired.

But I’ve been truly lucky. I’ve always had great roommates who didn’t mind my messes and constant stressing. I’m still friends with most of the people who lived on my hall freshman year. My parents encouraged me to follow my passions in college, even if they were worried about the marketability of an English, Spanish and journalism major (talk about a trifecta).

And pretty much what most of these “Oh-my-gosh-I-can’t-believe-I’m-graduating” columns come down to is people. No one waxes poetic about the wonderful facilities they had in college or the amazing dorms. They remember the relationships they built that changed their lives. So without further ado, here’s a roundup of people I’d like to thank at SMU.

First, my professors. My looniness knows no bounds, but thankfully my professors took it all in stride. Carolyn Barta taught me more about politics and opinions than I think I ever wanted to know. But I’m forever grateful that I got to go to the Democratic National Convention with her in 2004 – despite the fact that I was a half-hour late for my internship interview.

Craig f!@#$ing Flournoy helped me land my first job. I may not be reporting, but I’ll still be a do-gooder working at a civil rights law firm. And I’m going to miss sitting in the splash zone while receiving profanity-laden nuggets of wisdom.

And what can I say about Mel Coffee? He tried his best with me, but I’m a print journalist at heart. (That and nobody can sing Gwen Stefani songs like he can. Hollaback, Mel!)

As for the English department, few professors could top Willard Spiegelman. He doesn’t just know poetry. He knows movies, opera, art – basically everything that makes Western civilization civilized. He expects his students to be just as passionate about poetry as he is. Not only that, he rocks that bowtie. I’ll cherish his list of writing pet peeves always.

Then there’s Professor Rosendale and his always-funny opening questions. It’s the most fun I’ve had taking roll in any class, ever.

I could go on and on: Dennis Foster’s maddeningly difficult yet rewarding readings, Jo Goyne’s cheer and seemingly endless patience, and my adviser Steve Weisenburger’s constant encouragement.

Mostly, though, I have to thank my friends. Whether it’s my roommates from that first year in Snider Hall, people in my sorority, people I’ve met on random intramural teams or people from SPARC, everyone at SMU has made my time here amazing. They’ve made me an entirely different – and better – person. Most people are pretty amazing if you just give them a chance to open up and listen.

So my best advice to the people who won’t be walking across that stage on graduation day?

Carpe diem. Don’t major in something because you think it will make you rich. Remember that there are a whole lot of people in Dallas who are a lot less fortunate than you are. Give back. Listen to your professors – some of them actually know what they’re talking about. Give everything you do your all.

Because there’s no better feeling than leaving a place you love after four years knowing that you’re exhausted because you’ve crammed as much life into each day as you possibly could.