I never thought the words “Apply” or “Submit” could be so frightening. As I am about to graduate within the next two weeks, the word grateful sums up my feelings towards the past four years regarding every opportunity that was given to me by Sacred Heart University.
Attending Sacred Heart as a nervous, second-semester transfer student, I was a freshman with no sense of direction or friends. Nevertheless, I will be walking away with so much knowledge regarding life and relationships, concerning my overall purpose in this world. Looking back at my years here at SHU, I have cultivated a strong skill set defined by determination, creativity, and effective problem-solving. The people I met along the way in my journey, from professors, faculty, and classmates, have shaped my entire perspective on life positively.
I have been on the Spectrum editorial board for the past three years, and sadly, it has come to an end. It has been a major part of my college experience, and I have given weeks upon weeks throughout each school year, dedicated to helping develop the newspaper. It may seem hard to believe, but being a part of the Spectrum requires more work than some may think. However, this work isn’t complicated or dreadful; instead, it has stimulated my intellectual curiosity. There have been countless days I’ve spent in the office, regularly sending emails, communicating with fellow editors, brainstorming, and problem-solving. As a result, the Spectrum became my niche.
Being a part of the editorial board has allowed me to grow and acquire so much additional knowledge about my major and career field. Ultimately, I’m stuck because I now have to find a new activity on Tuesday morning. Because for the past three years I’ve spent my time meeting with my staff and the amazing Prof. Kabak, whom I have had the pleasure of working with all these years.
Initially, I started in the CM-211 class as a features staff writer and then became the Circulation Manager/Public Relations assistant in my sophomore year. I was Co-Head Arts and Entertainment Editor my junior year, and finally, in my senior year I am sadly stepping down as Public Relations Manager and Co-Managing Editor of Administration.
This was a fantastic opportunity, overall, which has given me the opportunity to work closely with some extraordinary ladies. First, my fellow senior leadership and Editor-in-Chief, Madison Beekman; Next, Managing Editor of Content, Valentina Massioni, and finally, my partner-in-crime, Molly Bruton. I am so grateful to have known and worked with them in the SCMA program as well as throughout the 2024-2025 academic year.
As I continue my professional career and life journey, I am happy to be moving back home to Westchester, N.Y., and being with my family. As I apply for jobs in the journalism field, it can be daunting, yet I am so excited to see what the next chapter holds and I’m confident it will be a positive journey.
If there is one piece of advice I wish to leave my peers with, it is that you should never take the opportunity to experience new things for granted. This is not limited to just college experiences, but life in general. I have come to the ultimate realization that “This is it. It’s over.”
I have spent the past four years experiencing new things with the goal in mind of having no regrets. The friends I’ve made along the way, and of whom I’m confident will stick by me throughout the rest of my life, will most definitely be there to cheer me on as I enter the “real world.”
The best advice I could give to current college students and those incoming freshmen is just to say “YES.” Obviously, there are limitations, but say YES to all those late-night ice cream runs. Say YES to going out for a few hours even though you might have an early morning. And finally, just say YES to life.
Experiences are everything, and the experience that Sacred Heart has given me is one I wouldn’t change for the world. I’ve been told, “Don’t cry that it’s over. Smile because it happened!” and I believe this is very true, because trust me, before you know it, you will be walking across that stage getting your diploma, and at that moment, it’s the final curtain call.
