Hallelujah! I hear choirs singing ’cause I am finally done. No more classes, no more tests, and, best of all, no more lectures at 8 a.m. As of 2:00 today, I am done with college for good!

I am so excited by the prospect of freedom. I’ll be able to become a true learner again, instead of a student forced to do homework. I’ll be able to read for leisure and study things I want to study. And, I’ll actually get paid for putting in eight to 10 hours of work. What a concept!

And yet, despite the jubilation, there is some sadness. I’m really going to miss the ISU landscape I’ve called home for the past four years. Over the past week or so, I’ve been feeling stirrings of nostalgia when I walk past places marking a turning point in my time here — Maple Hall, the front steps of Beardshear, my first off-campus apartment, Lake LaVerne.

I’m really going to miss Ames. Ames has everything I want in a town: lots of parks, nice people, a decent social atmosphere (for Iowa), almost non-existent crime, good water, a healthy supply of activists and people accepting of non-traditional living arrangements of all kinds and a natural foods co-op. I really appreciate these things now because the city I’m moving to doesn’t seem to have anything similar. Appreciate them while you’re still here!

I’m even going to miss Ames’ politicians, especially Cecelia Burnett (Democrat, Iowa House). Ms. Burnett, if you ever run for higher office, you’ve got my vote!

I’ve been here for four years, including every summer, so I think I know ISU and Ames pretty well. Since this is my last column ever for the Daily (sniff, sniff), I want to use this last opportunity for public communication to tell everyone about some of the great things I’ve found in Ames and ISU. This way, all of you still hanging out in Ames as students or residents can enjoy them like I did.

1. The M-Shop: If you’ve never been to an M-Shop show, go. Even if you have been to the M-Shop, go again. I don’t think you’ll ever find another place with such a cozy, intimate atmosphere.

2. The College of Design Atrium: Maybe I’m biased because I’m in the College of Design, but it is always interesting to walk through the College of Design atrium to see student exhibits. And, it’s free! Go see what the architects and artists of ISU are up to.

3. Horticulture Hall Greenhouse: If you’re feeling a little stressed and need to relax, want to go on a quick tropical retreat, or just want to get in touch with nature, stop by the greenhouse on the south side of Horticulture Hall. They’ve got a lot of beautiful plants, a little stream and benches for your stressed body.

4. ISU Arboretum: Just to the southwest of campus is the arboretum with a creek, small waterfalls and trees. It’s a nice area to walk the dog or do some inner soul searching.

5. People’s Bar and Grill: Like live music? Go to People’s. They cater to all tastes of music — even the discerning Dead Heads like myself.

6. Campanile: This iconic symbol of ISU is great for political rallies, late night “Campaniling” with someone special, lunch (and graduation pictures).

7. Brookside Park: If you need to refresh yourself from classes, you can go back to your childhood at Brookside Park, located on the east side of campus. Brookside has all the swings and slides you’ll need to bring out the kid in you, and they also have walking trails through the woods, a big toy truck and a wading pool. Pretty cool.

8. Munn Woods: This park consists of 40 acres of walking trails through the woodlands of the Clear Creek Greenbelt. You can find access to the trails on Woodland Street and Trail Ridge Road in West Ames. But if you go, please don’t litter! Nothing disturbs me more, and I’d hate to think people found out about this Ames treasure from my column and then littered it with their garbage.

9. Ames Farmers’ Market: Want to eat fresh fruits, veggies and baked goods? Want to support local farmers? Go to the Ames Farmers’ Market during the summer months in the North Grand Mall Parking Lot next to JCPenney.

10. Downtown Ames: Downtown Ames is filled with an assortment of interesting “ma and pop” type stores, specialty and antique shops, restaurants with great atmosphere and one of the best bookstores I’ve ever encountered, Big Table Books.

11. Wheatsfield Grocery: If you’re a health nut like me, you’d probably like Wheatsfield Grocery, a natural foods co-op located in downtown Ames. If you go there, be prepared for really nice people, fair prices, high quality and, almost always, good music playing in the background.

There’s plenty more great places to be found in this wonderful city, based on your own individual tastes. Find them and enjoy them while you’re still here.

Well, that’s about it. I would like to say a final good-bye to a few people before I go. Good-bye to the people I’ve met in the ISU Greens, 9/29, The Drummer, the Magic Beanstalk CSA, the Daily and Ames NORML. Good fortune to all of you.

Farewell, ISU.

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Jonquil Wegmann is a senior in community and regional planning from Bellevue.