“Enjoy it; it goes by fast!” Something we’ve all been told, yet don’t really take it to heart until we’ve finally reached the end. Being a senior who has ‘reached the end,’ I have used these final weeks of the semester as moments of reflection, looking back on all the incredible experiences I’ve had at Sacred Heart University (SHU). I am so beyond grateful that four years ago, I made the decision to make SHU my home away from home, creating friendships that have turned into family.
Going into college, I honestly had a strong indication that I was going to regret my decision. Obviously, everyone gets the end of summer jitters running through them before that first day of orientation, but I was debating my decision entirely. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, and I was absolutely terrified to leave home. But now, looking back on these past four years, I couldn’t imagine a life without the opportunities and friendships I have made through my years here at SHU.
If there is anything I have learned through attending Sacred Heart, it’s that this journey is not always easy, but what you gain from the hardships is greater than any struggles you may face. My journey through college is the start of my story; leading me to the beginning of a new chapter that I am so excited to unfold!
Looking back, reflecting on the person that I have become, I realized that I have discovered so many versions of myself that I didn’t even know existed.
Freshman year, I was somewhat timid, somewhat excited, but overwhelmed with emotion, worry, and doubt. I was loving meeting new people and developing my new friendships, but I felt so out of place. I had put so much pressure on myself to make that decision of what I wanted to do with my life, that at times I forgot to live in the moment and enjoy the experiences of college instead of worrying about the outcome four years down the road. During my spring semester, I even took some time away from school, and at the beginning of that break, I didn’t think I was coming back. However, I now realize that taking that step away helped me to keep an open mind, realizing how much I would miss sticking through college. At the time, I found myself feeling defeated, taking time away from school and worrying about not graduating on time through taking the break. But now that I’m less than two weeks from walking across that stage and receiving my diploma (and in fact graduating on time), I feel immense gratitude for stepping away and taking that time I needed, and realizing that I don’t need to have it all figured out.
By the time my sophomore year began, I made a pact to myself to enjoy every minute of my time at SHU. I started saying ‘yes’ more and stopped planning out every scenario, good and bad, that might come from each opportunity. Sophomore year was my year of change; I was determined to use this time to figure out who I am, instead of stressing about who I would become.
Junior year, I continued to live in the moment, saying ‘yes’ to any opportunity that came my way, which prepared me for a senior year full of celebration and pride, feeling accomplished overcoming the challenges I faced, and embracing the change along the way.
Now, taking in the last few weeks at school, looking back on all the memories, I can confidently say that I am proud of who I have become. Do I have it ‘all figured out’ like I hoped? Not in the slightest. However, I take that as a blessing, because now I know all the opportunity and experiences that are waiting for me in this new chapter are more than I could imagine, and the change that I may face will allow me to find even more versions of myself that I didn’t know existed, but am excited to get to know.
So for those who are scared of the change, for those who don’t know if this is where you’re supposed to be, for those who feel they need to have it ‘all figured out’, I encourage you to take a moment of reflection, step back, and take a deep breath. Say ‘yes’ to any and every opportunity that comes your way, get involved with as much as you can, and most importantly, say hi to that person you pass in the hall every day, they may become the family that you didn’t know you needed. All in all, enjoy every single day, minute, and second of it, because it truly does go by fast.
