The ‘G’ Word

As much as I hate to talk about it, graduation is upon us (the olden seniors) and I’m not entirely sure how I feel about it. For some people it’s the end, and for others it’s just the beginning. Ending undergrad and starting another four years somewhere else. Entering the workforce. Saying goodbye to the people you’re used to seeing every single morning when you walk out of your bedroom.

For the most part, I’m really excited to go. My four years at TCNJ have been the best I’ve known so far. I’ve found people who I know will be in my life forever, created memories that will hold a special place in my heart and be talked about for years to come. The tree-lined pathways and brick buildings and disappointing Eick dining hall have all become my home.

This school has also been a place of personal growth for me. As an on-the-quieter-side freshman, I never could have imagined all of the things I’ve accomplished so far: winning a sales competition, joining a sorority, having two great internships, making it to semi-finals in another business competition, creating my own website. The people in my life have encouraged me to reach for these new heights, and I can’t imagine not having found them.

Of course, there have been hard times, too, but I think that those moments have been just as crucial to my growth. If you can take the good out of a bad situation and use it to grow, then there is nothing that will ever be able to stop you. I’m just as thankful for the hardships that I’ve endured because they’ve helped me grow beyond my limits and made me realize that I have such a caring, strong support group of individuals around me. I count myself lucky to lead a life filled with so much love.

And it’ll be hard to let some of that go. I know technology makes keeping in touch easier, but there’s nothing like being a single door or car ride away from your best friends. Spontaneous sunsets, movies, and adventures. Late night sob sessions or pizza runs. I’m kind of scared to have to let that go, but I also know that these bonds can’t be broken by distance.

It’s been a great four years, but this is only one of many more chapters to come. And I can’t wait to see where they take me.