I have learned a lot over my four years at Sacred Heart University. I’ve become more knowledgeable, independent, and resilient. Resilience was a term that I was not familiar with before entering college.
As I look back, the fall of 2020 was one of the most challenging times for myself. COVID-19 was still very present, and I was transitioning into a new chapter of my life. I was leaving home for the first time and had no idea what the next four years were going to look like in such unprecedented times.
My first year at SHU was not an easy one. I found it difficult to get involved with the restrictions placed and it was hard to do well in my classes as they were mostly all online. However, I did meet my best friends that first year thanks to the third floor of Roncalli Hall. I believe my friends are a big part of helping me learn how to be resilient. We were all in the same boat and were trying to navigate this abnormal transition to college.
I believe the challenges I faced while coming into college have shaped me into the person I am today. I used to be much more reserved and did not know how to do things on my own. I did in fact have to ask my freshman year roommate to teach me how to do my own laundry. Thanks Ava!
My mom still jokes that in high school she would have to order my Dunkin Donuts for me before school and now look at how far I’ve come! Seriously though, college makes you grow up. You have no choice but to learn how to do things on your own.
When you tell someone, you graduated during the pandemic, they immediately feel bad for you.
However, I am extremely proud to be part of the class of 2024 (AKA class of 2020). I think there is a bond that we all share because of our end of high school into college experience. We were forced to adapt to these challenges and grow up a bit faster. We are now all strong because of what we had to go through.
As graduation is approaching, I can say I feel very confident going into post-grad life. I sometimes wonder if the pandemic had not happened, would I feel this way. College did not start ideally how I would have wanted it to, but I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.
I move forward resiliently and know that I will be able to face any challenges that come my way. I am forever thankful for these last four years and would not change them for a second. Thanks to SHU, I am ready for whatever the next chapter of my life may hold.
