People matter most. I told the eighth graders I’ve been student teaching that this lesson is more significant than every bit of information about WWII that I taught them. Combined. This is the most important thing to remember.
“More important than to ‘Remember Pearl Harbor’?” asked a smart aleck. So, so much more important. I wanted to pound it into their typically self-centered, materialistic adolescent minds.
I didn’t fully realize this until too recently. People matter most. Not appearances, not school, — not even money. The highlights of my Carolina career weren’t academic or extracurricular achievements, but rather the relationships I’ve formed.
Investing in friendships instead of in what would make you a seemingly more accomplished person will make you the best and most accomplished person.
At UNC it wasn’t the experiences themselves that were so memorable, but the people in those experiences. I won’t remember my GPA years from now, but I will remember my best friends and my time with them.
Work hard, but don’t feel guilty abandoning Davis or skipping the gym to be with the people you love. You won’t regret not studying for a quiz, but you will regret the time not spent with friends.
So drop what you’re doing and go sit with friends in the Pit. Take a walk or grab a drink. I didn’t do enough of this, and now I wish I had more time with the incredible people at this University. Because people matter most.
