This senior column is supposed to be a chance to share advice, guidance and experience with the students at The University of Alabama. The fact is I have no advice to offer. There is nothing I can tell you that is going to dramatically change your life. There are no words to adequately guide you through your life or inspire you to change the world. That is because the best advice is shown and not spoken.

As a student at the Capstone, you are called to lead an exemplary life. You are called to lead a life of character, diligence and integrity. This call is something that is incredibly hard to live up to, and mark my words, you will fail.

I know a lot about failure, but there is one lesson I have learned that got me through my hardest times and has turned every failure into a success. That lesson is that when you encounter failure, you are being given the opportunity to succeed.

That statement may sound odd, but it has inspired me and brought me through some of the most difficult times of my life. Without failure, without adversity, there can be no success. It is in that adversity that your opportunity lies.

During my last four years at the University I have been a part of thousands of meetings and have gained a little bit of insight. While I can offer no life-altering advice, what I can offer is one truth about The University of Alabama. That truth is that the students, administrators, faculty and staff, and other members of this institution are good people.

The true character of a member of the University family is unmatched anywhere else, and we are all seeking to make a positive impact on our community. There are dozens of issues we face as a community that can often time be polarizing. At times, it may even seem as though you have some enemies. Let me assure you one thing: We are all on the same team.

While you may disagree with your fellow students, professors, or even the president, I promise you none of those people want to see our community fail. I promise you that everyone at this University wants to make our community better. If we remember that truth, we will more effectively improve the world around us.

Our University has come a long way and there is no doubt in my mind that it has become a better place due to the remarkable people of this community. The relationships I have formed in Tuscaloosa have truly made me the person I am today and for that, I will be forever grateful.

As my time as president of the Student Government Association came to an end, I found myself wishing I had another term and began to worry about where we would be in the next few years. My worry soon came to an end as I reminded myself that we are a community like no other. We are resilient, dedicated and compassionate people. There is no doubt in my mind that our home is in good hands because we are the city of champions. We must remember that we are only champions because we are all on the same team.

Matt Calderone was the president of the Student Government Association.