How can you sum up four years of college in one column? It’s not easy; I’ll tell you that much.

I’ve thought a lot about what to say, but I’m not really one for sentimentality. Sure, I’ve cried watching “Her,” but who hasn’t? I figured in the end, I’d just write something funny and make some inside jokes like I usually do. But as the anxiety of stepping into the real world starts to creep in, I felt like I should take this moment to reflect on “Spencer Hall: The College Years.” 

I didn’t know what I wanted entering college. I’d be lying to you if I said I even know what I want today. I ended up going to the University of Tennessee for a year and a half even though I didn’t even want to go. I chose journalism because it was easier to talk about in conversation than it was to say I wanted to be a comedy writer. I even ended up transferring to Columbia as a default because my acceptance was still good a semester after I initially declined it.

In high school, I was always kind of “meh” about college. When everyone was posting “bittersweet” Facebook statuses about graduating, I just saw college as another thing I had to do to get to the next thing I had to do. 

I’m more pessimistic than I’d like to admit; I’ve always sort of viewed myself as a 50-year-old neurotic Jewish man—take that however you will. Maybe that’s why I’ve looked up to Woody Allen so much since I saw “Sleeper” at 9 years old.

While attempting to come up with something worth writing for this final commentary, I came across this quote by my idol in a 2007 interview with the New York Daily News that made me think.

“I have no idea what I am doing, but incompetence has never prevented me from plunging in with enthusiasm,” Allen said.

After reading this, I thought about how relevant it was to my situation, and it helped me realize how much I’ve  accomplished in my college career. 

I have always been pretty cynical about college. I complain about my job, stress about my classes and talk about how ready I am to finally be out of here. But the truth is, I’ve made some of my best memories during these four years, and it’s going to be hard to leave.

I’ve made friends I’ve always dreamed about meeting, fallen in love and managed to interview some of my favorite artists and entertainers. 

Although Columbia was never my first choice, I can honestly say that I really cannot see myself graduating from any other school. As much as I complain—and I complain a lot—I wouldn’t have gotten to do nearly half of the stuff I’ve been able to do or meet the people I have in this city without Columbia. From getting my work published on a weekly basis to watching the Second City shows on a nightly basis, I realized once you finally start to let things happen as they may, you learn to have more fun.

As I get ready to graduate and deal with the constant question of “What’s next?,”All I can honestly say is, “I have no idea.” But I know my friends and family will support me every step of the way. So, whatever happens, as Allen said, I’ll plunge into it with all the enthusiasm I have.