April 29 will be just like every other day, because everything will change.

Many of those who attended classes during the Winter 2006 Semester will graduate that day and never again attend a college class. Some may never return to Rexburg. Others will move away, only to return in a couple months for more classes. Many will remain in Rexburg and wait for the summer blocks to begin. Whatever your situation, life will be filled with change.

BYU-Idaho has undergone much change in the past decade. A growing-up process has brought the school a long way from Ricks College, while still maintaining many of its amazing features. However, more change is sure to come.

Buildings will continue to be renovated, instructors will retire, new ones will be hired and classes will be added and altered with each coming year. The Honor Code will be adjusted to meet new demands and concerns, students will find new ways to enjoy college life and new technology will help students study more effectively.

Even if you are not leaving BYU-I just yet, your life will be filled with change.

The one thing we can learn from BYU-I’s constant stream of change and progress is that we too can adjust to new circumstances and improve ourselves, while still maintaining many of the key factors that make us great. After more than a century of experience in educating young adults, this school continues to improve — as should we.

For those of us who will be leaving BYU-I, this lesson might be the most important we take with us. In a little while many of the classes, experiences, labs and instructors will be but memories, while new knowledge will take their place. Some things, though, we should never forget.

First, regular attention to spiritual matters will allow us to excel in any occupation and in every situation in life. Religion classes have taught us that consistent study of the scriptures will help us understand the gospel and apply Christ’s teachings to our own lives. Church attendance has given us opportunities for leadership that we likely would not have had in our home wards. Devotionals have trained us to occasionally take time out of our busy schedules and focus on gospel study.

Second, discipline and adherence to high standards is not easy, but it will bless you. The Honor Code has taught us to dress modestly and professionally, conduct ourselves appropriately and keep our lives clean. Curfew has helped us to follow the counsel to go to bed early and arise early. Academic standards have ingrained in us the necessity to avoid plagiarism and cheating, work hard on our assignments and thoroughly follow instructions and assignments given.

Third, the college experience has allowed us to meet people from all over the world and learn to work together. We have learned to work and live with people we wouldn’t necessarily have associated with otherwise, and we’ve made friends that we never would have met in other circumstances. We’ve also learned The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the same in Bangkok, Tokyo, Berlin, New York and Mexico City as it is in Rexburg and Salt Lake. These experiences will help us adapt to and work with a much more diverse world outside of Rexburg.

Most of all, we must remember to bring the good with us as change happens. As life throws new and difficult situations our way, we must remember the lessons and adapt to new circumstances without losing what makes us special. Change can come smoothly when we apply what we have learned to new situations.

Some things, like the gospel, will always be the same; other things will always change. One of the most important lessons you can take with you from your experiences at BYU-I will be to accept, embrace and excel in an ever-changing world.