Many people remember college as the best four years of their life. From moving into their first dorm room freshman year to walking across the stage in a cap and gown, college inspires growth, independence and self discovery.
Embracing the college experience was something psychology senior Trinity Nathan struggled to do during her freshman year.
“I never realized how many things I missed out on or psyched myself out of just because I was scared to feel embarrassed or out of place,” Nathan said.
Now, Nathan would advise underclassmen to take college one step at a time.
“It’s okay to appreciate the little things,” Nathan said. “You never know what those little moments can grow into.”
For sociology senior Noemi Duran, campus involvement has been key to her college experience as a first generation student.
“Since I was a first generation student, I didn’t have much guidance,” Duran said. “Going to events, putting yourself out there, networking and experiencing as much as you can is very important. I try to go to everything and meet people. Greek Life has given me so many connections.”
Duran is a member of the Lambda Theta Alpha Latin sorority, which has helped support her cultural identity and sense of belonging on campus.
“Being a Hispanic student, I had to figure out how to find my culture here while also trying to guide myself through college,” Duran said.
Anthropology senior James Douet credits much of his personal success to the relationships he built rather than just academic performance.
“I am lucky enough to be able to go to graduate school,” Douet said. “In part because I am smart, but also to an extent I think having a good personality and treating my educators, my teachers, my professors, my peers, my fellow students as people who deserve my love and respect, however well I know them or don’t.”
For Douet, success in college goes beyond grade point average; it comes down to how you treat others and how kindness can make a lasting impact.
“I try to treat my peers with the utmost kindness and respect that I want to receive from them, and I found that that has gone above and beyond to help out with my academic career and with my personal growth as a human being — far more so than worrying about my grades and whatnot,” Douet said. “What they will remember is, how do you treat them? Do you treat them well?”
As graduation approaches, these seniors leave more than just memories behind — they leave learning lessons for those still on their collegiate journeys.
Whether it’s stepping outside of your comfort zone, getting involved, building relationships or simply stopping to smell the magnolias, their advice is clear: college goes by fast, but the way you choose to spend it can shape everything that comes next.
