As I prepare to graduate, my thoughts have naturally turned inward to my past four years at the UW. I have learned a lot from this great university, yet I think a college education comes with a few drawbacks, too. So, as my swan song, here are my reflections on the changes a college career can bring.

Four years ago, as I prepared to graduate from high school, I painted onto my car a declaration of my status as a graduate to the world, using shoe polish. Now, I don't dream of doing such a thing, and am instead left wondering whether I should buy a UW alumni license plate frame. How mature of me.

For my high school graduation party, one of my best friends and I hosted an ice cream party outside on a 90-degree day. Some of our guests brought water balloons, and we spent a lot of time playing volleyball. Next week, my graduation party will be more reserved: a nice dinner at a restaurant with my family.

There is nothing wrong with gaining some refinement and maturity at college (in fact, most people in my high school class certainly had some growing up to do), but I'm afraid that such a prestigious university looks down on the spontaneity so common in younger people.

Often, with the gain of a college degree, comes the loss of the carefree days of youth.

The catalyst for these thoughts came from hearing "Puff the Magic Dragon" for the first time in years. You remember the story — Jackie Paper's magical dragon friend Puff loses his powers when Jackie grows too old for imagination:

A dragon lives forever, but not so little boys

Painted wings and giant rings make way for other toys.

One gray night it happened, Jackie Paper came no more

And Puff that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar.

His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain,

Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane.

Without his life-long friend, Puff could not be brave,

So Puff that mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave.

"Puff the Magic Dragon" was originally written by a Cornell student named Leonard Lipton, and its inspiration came from Ogden Nash's poem "Custard the Dragon." Perhaps Lipton, too, was mourning the fact that in college, "painted wings and giant rings" make way for research papers and nine-to-five jobs. Too bad Jackie Paper was too busy plugging meetings into his Palm Pilot to make time for Puff.

There is a lot to be said for the hard work that goes into gaining a college education. A university degree is a big step toward leading a comfortable life that also benefits the community.

There is also a lot to be said for us, as adults, taking a step back from the "nose to the grindstone" mentality the UW teaches us to lead. It is vitally important to recognize the value of recreation and play in an adult life. While many of us try to make time a couple days a week for the acceptable, respectable play we call "working out," we still often miss the mark.

Play is not about running on a treadmill for 45 minutes while watching American Idol. Play time is recess from being a refined adult.

So go ahead, keep working hard in your classes and jobs. But remember to make time every now and then to rescue Puff from his cave.

Reach columnist Amy Korst at opinion@thedaily.washington.edu.