By the time spring quarter rolls around, I am itching to be out of the classroom and done with school for a few months. As the time for receiving my diploma draws closer, my longing to be free from formal education grows stronger. I can imagine that this feeling is even greater for those of us who will be graduating come June. I see seniors in all of my classes eager, as one friend recently said, “to get out of here.” Despite the jealousy that I may feel for the class of 2009, I have recently stopped and reflected on whether or not I am overly eager “to get out of here.”

The Japanese poet Bashō wrote, “Even in Kyoto, I long for Kyoto.” The sentiments of this poem have stuck with me ever since it was recited by one of my favorite high-school teachers, Mr. Cooper. After quoting the poem, Mr. Cooper went on to lead a discussion about the idea of longing for the purest essence of something, even when we are in possession of that something.

Lately, as I have been thinking about my attitude — and that of others — toward graduation, I have found myself turning again and again to these short seven words. I have come to the conclusion that I have been so preoccupied with my desire to get on with my life outside of college that I haven’t fully appreciated what a wonderful thing it is to be at the UW. I have been trying to turn my attitude around, so that instead of thinking only about the upcoming summer break, I have been nurturing the craving that I have to be more united with our great university. Even at the UW, I long for the UW.

In these times of political and economic turmoil, it might very well be that the class of 2009 will be longing to return to school come fall. However, for most of them, this will not be an option. They will be thrust out into the real world to fend for themselves. This is a rather intimidating thought — one that makes me glad that I still have another year before I am forced to join the ranks of the working. It has also made me realize that I have been squandering my time here. I have not fully opened myself up to the UW experience, let alone the idealized one that lingers in the back of my mind and causes me to long for something I already possess.

I have resolved to be better and to allow myself to more fully enjoy my time in college. This fall, I will attend my first Husky football game.

I will join student organizations and attend lectures. This spring, I will exercise my right to vote for the ASUW officers.

I will do whatever I can to rectify the passive attitude I have had toward the experience of higher education. I am fortunate that I still have time to have an intimate relationship with a place as multifaceted and beautiful as the UW.

There are some who do not have the luxury of time to help them realize that they are even longing for anything.

To those of you who are graduating or otherwise leaving school soon, I urge you to go out and seek that idealized UW.

I am not sure where it can be found, but I have a notion that it is only found in the seeking of it. While it may be a bit schmaltzy to say, “Even in the UW, I long for the UW,” it is better than thinking, “After leaving the UW, I long for what I did not do at the UW.”

Reach columnist Jenessa Markland at opinion@dailyuw.com.