Four years. When I was a freshman, that seemed like such a long time. Yet here I am, three weeks away from graduation.

And what have I learned? Eh, not too sure.

We spend so much time in class that things begin to blend together. Looking back, I have no idea what teacher taught me what -- heck, I barely remember most professors' names, let alone what class I was sitting in. I just know that somehow it all seeped in. And here I am, four years older and holding a significantly lighter wallet.

It was worth it, though: I figured out what I wanted to do with my life, and it only took a couple of tries (apparently math and I don't mix very well); I met almost all my best friends here; and now I crave pizza after drinking, which I never did back home.

I was told college would be the best four (or more) years of my life, just like I sure most of you were. Looking back, it's sort of true. When else can you stay up all night with friends and discuss things that have no actual bearing on life? When else can you drop what you're doing and go drinking all afternoon without fear of getting fired?

It's been a great run, and I've seen and done some crazy things that I'll remember for the rest of my life. Road trips with the Ultimate Frisbee team, specifically are etched into my mind -- seeing the driver pull off his hoodie while going 90 mph to show the cute girls in the car next to us where we were from will have me shaking for years. Oh, and thanks, Owen, for grabbing the wheel.

When it all comes down to it, I definitely made the right choice in coming here. I had the choice between living in Happy Valley or going to V-Tech and being a Hokie. Besides the fact that my dad went here, I think a being a lion is beats being a castrated turkey any day of the week.

Memories are what make each person's college years great. Everything that has happened, from that first night on campus until I pack up all my things for the last time, the memories will tie me to this town and university, which has been my home for four years.

So, asking again, what have I learned?

I've learned that it's better to be happy than right. I've learned that it's best to always pay attention to what is going on around me. I've learned it's almost always best to ask "why?" And I know I want to keep learning and getting better at what I do.

Every year, when I reach the last few days of classes, I look back and try to see if I notice any changes in who I am. It's a little easier now that I'm asking myself this question for the last time. The biggest change is that I know where I'm going with my life. I'm employed, I'll be living on my own and I'm ready for the next challenge.

It only took me four years to figure that out. Just hearing me say it won't have that big of an impact on most of you, it just something you learn over time. My parents would tell me just how important my college years would be, but I never understood what they meant until my time here is almost finished.

The best advice I could give is to do what makes you happy and try a new thing every day. You've only got four years to make a lifetime of memories, so get started now.

Then again, I am the guy who found it amusing to write about pirates. So take what I say with a grain of salt... and maybe a slice of lime and some tequila if you're old enough.