College Graduation, Lessons Learned, & Memories Made
For the past few weeks, I’ve sat back and taken the time to read through my past blog posts, take in the Florida weather, and just reflect on the last three years in Tampa. I will be graduating from the University of Tampa in nine days…how crazy is that? It seems like just yesterday I was a scared Sophomore traveling to Tampa, unsure of what I wanted to do with my life or make friends. Looking back on everything, I would not have changed my decision or experience for the world. I have made lifelong memories, met my closest friends, and enjoyed my final years of college. It is a bittersweet time as many of my close friends stay in Tampa, but I am unsure of where I am going next. I reflect on all of my experiences inside and outside of the classroom, and ultimately, I realize that those memories are what I remember most, not studying for an exam. Now that I am about to graduate college, I wanted to sit down and take the time to share the most valuable lessons I have learned as a student as I transition into the real world.
Don’t Be Scare to Try New Things
In high school, I had extreme anxiety as a young sixteen-year-old. I was scared to even call someone on the phone or knock on the front door. Before transferring schools, I had never even been to the city of Tampa before. Many other schools I was looking to attend possibly were all large, division I state schools. UT was by far the smallest school, a university where I knew absolutely no one. In spite of this, I took the summer to rehab my knee, focus on my internship, and mentally prepare for my new life in Florida. Once arriving on campus, I tried out new things. Convinced to try and join Greek life, I went through recruitment just to see the experience. Thereafter joining Alpha Chi Omega and fulfilling that need of wanting to meet other people, I slowly but surely began to try new things. If I had not taken the chance to try out new clubs, join Greek life, and get to know different people, my college experience would have looked much different. This piece of advice got me out of my shell, helped me form my interest, and squashed my anxiety about trying new things.
Go With the Flow
Obviously, nothing can ever go perfectly the way you might imagine it. If you come to school in Florida, you know some sort of hurricane is just bound to happen. You could have a falling out with a friend, get a bad grade on an exam, or miss out on something (FOMO). Stress is not an uncommon friend to a college student, but in a weird way, I have learned to run on stress and be a better problem-solver because of it. Things may not go your way or meet your expectations, but if you just go with the flow and have faith that things will work out, you will be okay! Have there been a few times I wanted to switch a class? Or fought with a friend? Or missed out on something? Of course, there has been. At times, you learn you have to make sacrifices for yourself or to get something done. We learn and grow from these experiences, and eventually, our old challenges become easier for us. So as a student, going with the flow is key because it makes it much easier for yourself at the end of the day.
Always Say Yes!
Yes! Yes! Yes! I have heard this advice from countless people multiple times. Especially in my career, I have learned to be that yes person. Being there for someone whenever they need you, not being picky, (especially as a young adult and college student), and ultimately saying yes can get you far. If you say yes enough, you are just that much eager to take on more things, test yourself, and see how far you can go! This applies in both academics and professionalism-so go say yes!
It’s Okay to Transfer
When I committed to my original University, everyone around me always told me that it was okay to transfer. That advice went in one ear and out the other as a graduating senior in high school. I was 100 percent convinced Vermont was the place for me and there was nowhere else I would rather be. People change, things change, and so that advice ultimately became my sticky note. Keeping it in mind, I applied to all of the schools I thought I was potentially interested in. Without touring any schools I applied to, I tested the waters. My parents were skeptical that I had decided to move so far away from school, but since transferring, I am SO glad that I did. It gave me a new perspective on life, from living in the North versus the South and showing myself that there are so many places you can go. If I can note one thing I can regret about my college experience although is NOT GOING ABROAD! I have been told so many wonderful stories by friends about studying abroad for one semester. Since I transferred, I took my Sophomore year to acclimate to Florida. Because of COVID-19, it made it hard to decide where I wanted to travel, so I feel like I never fully got the chance to have the experience. If you are a college student and are reading this, I hope you decide to study abroad, and if you are thinking about it, know that it is okay to transfer!
You Don’t Need to Have it All Figured Out
This is by far the most popular advice I have been given across the board. It turns out, no one really has it figured out in life. They may seem like they do, but in reality, they are still trying to figure it out. Nearing graduation, many people expect us to have it figured out. Where are you living? What are you doing? What is your plan? Those are some overwhelming questions as I put away school and figure out a life with academic responsibilities, and now, a job or graduate school. You don’t need to have it figured out! Everyone has a completely different journey in life and understanding their wants, needs, dreams, goals, and aspirations. Figure it out as you go and embrace the present. Life is all about figuring it out, so do not rush the process of living your life. Enjoy it and learn something!
So as I reflect back on my college years, it is bittersweet. I have learned many lessons, met wonderful people, and truly valued my time here in Tampa. Because of my wonderful experience, I have learned that I enjoy challenging myself in new places. Wherever I go next, I know it may not be the same as Tampa, but I can’t wait to learn, grow, and always have this place called home to come back to.
