When my spring 2001 tuition bill arrived at my house last winter, my mother looked at the thousands of dollars she owed to Notre Dame, reflected on the hours upon hours I spend in the basement of a dining hall editing The Observer and exclaimed "I don't know why I just don't send this money directly to The Observer. That's where you spend all your time. I am basically just paying thousands of dollars for you to work at The Observer."

Now I as enter my senior year at Notre Dame, I am not particularly upset that this will be my last year at Notre Dame. But I am utterly terrified by the prospect of facing my last year at The Observer.

This is the third and last Freshman Orientation edition that will ever feature my by-line. Next week I will work on my final first day of school issue. For the last three years my life and my education has come from The Observer.

It's not that I never attend class or that I don't learn things from my professors. But attending class, earning decent grades and making my way towards a diploma next May is certainly a secondary part of my Notre Dame experience.

I will receive my degree from Notre Dame but my education from The Observer.

As you begin your college careers at Notre Dame and Saint Mary's, don't focus all of your attention on a piece of paper four years from now. Strive to earn good grades, make the Dean's List and stay on the road to graduation. But don't let classes get in the way of your learning.

Find something at this school that is your passion. Join a club, play in the band, volunteer at the Center for Social Concerns. You will learn so much more from your peers than you ever will in a classroom.

During my time at The Observer I have improved the obvious skills associated with publishing a newspaper. I am a better writer, more diligent editor and have developed a better eye for design and photography than I had four years ago. I have been forced into a leadership role despite any of my fears or perceived inadequacies. I have also gained a group of friends that always keep me on my toes and I know will always be there for me.

I am not saying that everyone should run out and join The Observer staff (although we are hiring – come to our open house Sunday from 1-4 p.m.). I know The Observer is not for everyone. But there is something on these two campuses for everyone. Somewhere you can develop your skills, grow as a person and challenge yourself to become a better person.

Good grades will get a degree and a degree will get you a job. But your experiences in college will shape the rest of your life to a far greater extent than any five page philosophy paper on Plato's Republic.

Your parents are investing in your education and want to see a degree in four years to justify that expense. Just make sure your degree and your education is worth much more than a piece of paper.

Mike Connolly is a senior American studies major from Sparta, N.J. who decided to return for his senior year unlike another (and much wealthier) Sparta resident who now plays in the NBA. Contact Mike Connolly at connolly.28@nd.edu.

• Outside of class