DeKALB | Finally.

After years of exams, term papers and countless early morning hours in front of the glow of a computer screen, NIU’s seniors are ready to take the step from college into the real world.

Before they take their diplomas and head their separate ways, however, many will take the time to reminisce on their days on the DeKalb campus.

Barry Zeman, a senior operations management and information systems major, has many fond memories of his four years at NIU, with dueling armies of snowball-throwing students standing out in his mind.

“The first big snowfall freshman year there was an enormous snowball fight in between Stevenson and Grant with a few hundred people in the middle of the night,” Zeman said. He added that he wished in hindsight he could have been able to have more fun with his friends, but couldn’t due to the abundance of school and work he was faced with.

Nathan Woodson, a senior industrial engineering major, has enjoyed the simple experiences of college life.

“I would say just hanging out with friends on the weekends and going to football games,” Woodson said. “I liked it a lot, it’s the reason I stayed here until I graduated. It’s been a good experience overall.”

Zeman and Woodson both have jobs lined up for after graduation.

Zeman will be taking an IT job at Abbott Labs, while Woodson will work an industrial engineering job at Hormel Foods in Minnesota. Zeman plans to purchase a house as soon as possible, and is considering returning to NIU to earn his Masters degree.

With college in his rear view mirror, Zeman, though excited about what the future may hold, remains nervous as well – though not for reasons typical of graduating seniors.

“My only fear is having too much free time,” he said. “Working 9 to 5 is going to seem like a vacation from going to class all day, working all night and then coming home to hours of homework and studying.”