Dear WiseCat,

I am afraid of taking chances because I am unsure of the outcome. Relationships, class work and extracurriculars always receive the minimal amount of work from me because I am always unsure of what people would say or think about me. What should I do?

Sincerely,

Average Joe

Dear Average Joe,

Over the past three years, I have had the chance to reflect on my experiences at Villanova, answer questions and commit my thoughts to paper. I sit here this week writing my last first column for this publication. I am sure some are intrigued, while others are elated that my thoughts will never grace these pages after this school year. I admire both types of people. For now. Just give me one last chance.

Chances. To take a chance – one quarter of our student body took a chance on Villanova only four days ago when they moved into their rooms on South Campus and the Southwest Corner of campus. Chances. Most of us will take chances that we would never even dream of. We will take a chance on our future. We will move to unknown places with money that doesn’t even exist. We will take a chance on our dreams and more importantly the unknown.

Each choice brings with it both uncertainty and excitement.

When it comes to Villanova and college, people take chances everyday. However, they also shy away from chances. But why? They are scared that people will criticize their actions. The people who criticize the actions of others are the same people who psych themselves out of trying something new.

As a senior, a person who has experienced a lot, I would like to give a tip. Take that chance.

Freshmen, go down the hall and say hello to your neighbor. Sophomores, declare the major that intrigues you the most, not the one that might bring in the most money, but the one that will make you want to wake up in the morning and go to work. And juniors, take ownership of your newly found adulthood and independence on West Campus. Lastly, my fellow seniors, walk away with no regrets. Seriously, what do you really have to lose? Break down the walls, don’t let anything fence you in. At this point you’re just hindering your own growth. It’s all about the chance, the drive to initiate the unknown so, just take it.