Do Essays Have an Expiration Date?

When Facebook announced their feature “On This Day” on March 21, 2015, many users were excited about the prospect of being able to easily revisit their favorite documented moments. Others worried about having to see photos with exes or reliving very raw moments that they had posted.

English majors across the web, however, worried for a different reason. Facebook had repackaged our greatest fears: having to read our old writing.

As I prepare to apply to graduate schools, I have had to face this fear.

And not only do I have to read my old work, I have to reengage with past versions of my “intellectual” self. Do I still believe this thesis statement? Do I really think those are good sources? Could I have BEEN MORE >>DRAMATIC<<?

After a few days of skimming old essays, though, I began taking pleasure in this process. It’s been fun to look over my earlier college writings and laugh about my old writing style and phraseology.

Growth happens so slowly that sometimes we can’t see it until we pause and look back. In a way, I’ve relived my whole college career in the past week and I’m grateful to have had a reason to pause and reflect on how college has nourished me academically.

So maybe Facebook was on to something, after all.

-Margaret Iuni