By Kyla Cook |News Editor|

This entire quarter I’ve been hearing my classmates say, “We’re graduating, can you believe it?” Actually, yes I can.

It’s been four long years – three at CSUSB and the words “you’re graduating” are so right.

Coming from a bad experience at a small college in Iowa, I had hardly any credits and low expectations coming to CSUSB. I had a lot to makeup if I wanted to graduate on time. This has been the first quarter that I have taken less than 16 units.

Since I’ve been here, I’ve been known to take anywhere from 18–21 units. I just couldn’t imagine being in school any longer than four years, I had to get out. The three years that I have spent at CSUSB were rough. Not exactly because of the classes, I loved my Comm classes (hated G.E.s but then again who doesn’t?).

Most of the struggles I had were brought on by other campus entities. I can’t count the number of times I had to hassle with financial aid; many of my friends also said they struggled with them.

The worst was probably dealing with housing, especially during my first year. Mind you, I could have opted out of living on campus but I needed priority registration because I heard the horror stories of students not getting their classes which would ultimately prolong their graduation.

Oh and there’s Sodexo … but they’ve already taken a lashing from the Chronicle and most of the student body so I won’t go there.

Now, I could go on complaining about the annoying people or problems on this campus and talk about how I wonder why some people make it to positions of authority, but then again, that question doesn’t end at the Cal State system.

So I’ll just end this thought by saying the amount of stress put on students outside of their classes should be reduced greatly and good luck to all of you returning in the fall.

Even though I have my complaints, and I may voice them a lot, I had a revelation as I was racking my brain trying to figure out what I should write for the grad issue. That revelation was that I am actually grateful for CSUSB.

CSUSB gets a lot of slack for being a commuter campus or “accepting anyone,” but year after year I read about national honors or recognitions that CSUSB receives. Despite the feel of a “real” college, the programs offered are pretty legit.

I can’t imagine any other school offering me the opportunities that CSUSB has. I’m a part of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), have worked marketing at the Rec Center for this school year, interned at Coyote Advertising where I was given a free trip to tour one of the largest ad agencies in the world (Chiat/Day) and of course, am an editor for the Coyote Chronicle.

That last one is my favorite.

Imagine going to a larger school—would those opportunities still be available? Would you have had the chance to build relationships with your professors?

Because I came here, I was able to gain a lot of knowledge, experience and friends.

I’ve come in contact with some amazing people—like my Comm professors who have done something other than teach. Through that I can honestly say that I can apply their teachings to real life situations.

Thanks to CSUSB, I have some great memories to reflect on. I’ll never forget the people that I’ve come into contact with in my Comm classes, the friends I made working at the Rec Center and all those long nights spent in the Chronicle office playing the best friends game or going on rants.