I’ve finally found the beauty of my senior year. I’m able to reflect on all of the amazing firsts I’ve experienced in my four years at Naz while bittersweetly being flooded by a lot of lasts that I will have too. I’ve made so many memories here that will be hard to let go of as I acquire new ones after I graduate, but I’m staying positive for the future while also looking back fondly. Not only is this how I recommend any other senior approach the big changes of moving on past these four years, but also anyone who has a big change in their life. Appreciate the beginning, acknowledge the end, but get excited for the new.
My freshman year of college was the first time I had ever shared a room with someone, or lived long term with someone who wasn’t in my immediate family. It taught me a lot about myself. I learned that I like my own space, my own room and privacy but really enjoy living with people. In the struggle of sharing a room, I set my boundaries while also forming great bonds with my suitemates. Had I not lived with someone, I don’t think I would have been prepared to share an entire apartment with three other people like I do now. Looking back at living on campus to currently thinking about possibly living on my own after I graduate is quite the difference, but I’m so thankful for everything that happened in the in-between.
I remember being so nervous to meet my professors. Were they tough graders? Was I going to keep up? In my small high school I was very close to my teachers. Would Naz be like that? I was pleasantly surprised when my freshman year professors were incredibly helpful and actually helped with a lot of things that some of my high school teachers told us they wouldn’t. The fear that I wouldn’t make any connections with professors melted away over the four years. Now I’m somber about leaving some of the best mentors, appreciating the relationships we’ve formed.
Also — and this is not really a super fun one to talk about but it’s the truth — I remember the first time I felt truly helpless. Sick without my parents. Going through a breakup. Not knowing a lot about Rochester and where to go to get things or to make appointments. I was pretty independent growing up but always had help. Help was available at Naz, and this was my first time going to look for it and ask for it. I learned that the staff at Health & Counseling were perfect to go to when I wasn’t feeling well. My first visit was a breeze. I was surrounded by friends and had options to talk to counselors when I was feeling lonely and upset about my breakup. I also had so many opportunities to explore and learn about the city for myself. The realization that help was there when I needed it comforted me. Now, I feel so confident and strong.
For my first on-campus event, I made sure I went with someone because what if we were the only ones that showed up! I couldn’t dare be caught going to something by myself. I’ve come to realize those were silly thoughts because campus events are fun and usually a bunch of people go. And who cares if I go by myself! It’s a great way to make friends. If you go to events that involve your true interests, you’re bound to meet people who love the same things too! Now I have no fear and love to see what fun opportunities the campus offers us. The day I attend my last on-campus event this year will be a very sad day. I’ll miss the plants, the free food, and the memories made with new or old friends.
Writing this I felt a small pain in my heart to think about leaving a place that has been so wonderful to me. I know I’m lucky to say I’ve had such a great experience at Nazareth. It brought me amazing friends, so much knowledge academically & socially, and a future that is so bright. As more lasts become apparent to me, I’ll reminisce on all of the firsts and get ready for the new beginnings that are ahead of me. What won’t change: I’ll always be a Golden Flyer.
