I knew the end was coming. What I didn’t realize, though, was how soon everything would change. Oddly enough it finally hit me when I asked a friend if she wanted to partake in Trivia Night at Caffrey’s for what could be our last time.
For the last 18 years all I’ve known is school – go to class, do homework, participate in extracurricular activities, socialize and have a life when you can. It’s odd to think I will no longer live that life.
I couldn’t tell you my memories of applying to Marquette or the moment when I decided this was the school I would spend my next four years at. Those memories are a blur, but the ones that have followed since first stepping foot on campus are vivid.
I remember moving into Cobeen my freshman year. I recall exactly what I was wearing and the different occurrences that happened in those first few hours.
The memories in the years to come after that initial day? Just as sweet as my memories of the many delectable hot cookies I’ve indulged in with friends.
I look back on these last four years and am still astounded by – perplexed with – how much has changed. Friendships have been made, others have dissipated. I finally found who I am as a person and that shell I used to once wear has finally been broken. I have lived, learned, loved and lost. But I can honestly say that I have never been happier with life. I have accomplished so much in a short amount of time. I am who I am for a reason. There are certain aspects of life you can’t control. Everything happens for a reason, some things fall into place while others fall out. As much as I wish certain aspects of these last four years occurred how I wanted, I’m thankful life didn’t allow them. The experiences I’ve had and changes I’ve undergone may not have happened if I decided every little step of my life.
“Life’s funny like that, isn’t is?”
I was hanging out with a friend one night when he said these words. Nothing could be truer.
This past year, especially, has been a personal struggle – school, health, friendships, etc. I’ve seen and experienced it all. And I was strong enough to overcome any obstacle that was thrown my way.
I’ve always known the support of my friends and family has been there. These last few months has further opened my eyes to that. There have been the classic trips with friends to get froyo and the late night venting sessions. But there has also been the unexpected – a trip to the ER because I apparently don’t understand that walking while lightheaded and not being able to see isn’t the smartest decision. Through it all, everybody has always been there. They’ve always cared. It’s not always readily apparent, but I know that no matter what happens in life, we’ve always got each other’s back.
There have also been the professors who believed in me when I didn’t and saw my potential when I couldn’t. For them, I will always be thankful for their ability to challenge me.
It’s hard to leave a place that gave you so many memories; that helped you grow as a person in ways you never thought possible. That’s what has made these last few weeks so hard. I’ve developed so many incredible relationships over the last four years. While most of us are staying in the area post-graduation, others are not. It’s hard to think part of the clan you spent pretty much every day of the last few years around will no longer be as easily accessible as they once were. But hey, we all had to grow up sometime.
Although what is to come after graduation still has yet to be determined, the thought no longer terrifies me. When the right opportunity comes along, it will fall into place. If I could redo any part of these last four years, I would have further pushed my limits, jumped at any opportunity that came my way, forced myself to open up more at the beginning, but, then again, who knows where I would be if life did not play out the way it did?
Marquette, you have given me so much to look back upon. All the experiences and memories I have created here will be cherished forever. I found myself because of them, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been because of everything that has been brought into my life. I’ve seen my brothers and friends all graduate from college, but it’s weird when it happens to you.
These last four years can be best explained as a rollercoaster. It hasn’t always been a pleasant ride, but the journey was full of fear, excitement, happiness and a few bumps here and there. The end of my ride at Marquette has finally come. It’s exciting and sad all at the same time. I am content, though, with how much I have experienced and learned, how much I have grown.
I can’t wait to spend the next few days celebrating with friends and family. Just think – in two short days I will be walking across the stage, into the real world. Who would have ever thought this day would come? At times I surely didn’t, but I persevered and made it.
Caitlin = 1, College = 0
Time to conquer the next part of life.
For the last 18 years all I’ve known is school – go to class, do homework, participate in extracurricular activities, socialize and have a life when you can. It’s odd to think I will no longer live that life.
I couldn’t tell you my memories of applying to Marquette or the moment when I decided this was the school I would spend my next four years at. Those memories are a blur, but the ones that have followed since first stepping foot on campus are vivid.
I remember moving into Cobeen my freshman year. I recall exactly what I was wearing and the different occurrences that happened in those first few hours.
The memories in the years to come after that initial day? Just as sweet as my memories of the many delectable hot cookies I’ve indulged in with friends.
I look back on these last four years and am still astounded by – perplexed with – how much has changed. Friendships have been made, others have dissipated. I finally found who I am as a person and that shell I used to once wear has finally been broken. I have lived, learned, loved and lost. But I can honestly say that I have never been happier with life. I have accomplished so much in a short amount of time. I am who I am for a reason. There are certain aspects of life you can’t control. Everything happens for a reason, some things fall into place while others fall out. As much as I wish certain aspects of these last four years occurred how I wanted, I’m thankful life didn’t allow them. The experiences I’ve had and changes I’ve undergone may not have happened if I decided every little step of my life.
“Life’s funny like that, isn’t is?”
I was hanging out with a friend one night when he said these words. Nothing could be truer.
This past year, especially, has been a personal struggle – school, health, friendships, etc. I’ve seen and experienced it all. And I was strong enough to overcome any obstacle that was thrown my way.
I’ve always known the support of my friends and family has been there. These last few months has further opened my eyes to that. There have been the classic trips with friends to get froyo and the late night venting sessions. But there has also been the unexpected – a trip to the ER because I apparently don’t understand that walking while lightheaded and not being able to see isn’t the smartest decision. Through it all, everybody has always been there. They’ve always cared. It’s not always readily apparent, but I know that no matter what happens in life, we’ve always got each other’s back.
There have also been the professors who believed in me when I didn’t and saw my potential when I couldn’t. For them, I will always be thankful for their ability to challenge me.
It’s hard to leave a place that gave you so many memories; that helped you grow as a person in ways you never thought possible. That’s what has made these last few weeks so hard. I’ve developed so many incredible relationships over the last four years. While most of us are staying in the area post-graduation, others are not. It’s hard to think part of the clan you spent pretty much every day of the last few years around will no longer be as easily accessible as they once were. But hey, we all had to grow up sometime.
Although what is to come after graduation still has yet to be determined, the thought no longer terrifies me. When the right opportunity comes along, it will fall into place. If I could redo any part of these last four years, I would have further pushed my limits, jumped at any opportunity that came my way, forced myself to open up more at the beginning, but, then again, who knows where I would be if life did not play out the way it did?
Marquette, you have given me so much to look back upon. All the experiences and memories I have created here will be cherished forever. I found myself because of them, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been because of everything that has been brought into my life. I’ve seen my brothers and friends all graduate from college, but it’s weird when it happens to you.
These last four years can be best explained as a rollercoaster. It hasn’t always been a pleasant ride, but the journey was full of fear, excitement, happiness and a few bumps here and there. The end of my ride at Marquette has finally come. It’s exciting and sad all at the same time. I am content, though, with how much I have experienced and learned, how much I have grown.
I can’t wait to spend the next few days celebrating with friends and family. Just think – in two short days I will be walking across the stage, into the real world. Who would have ever thought this day would come? At times I surely didn’t, but I persevered and made it.
Caitlin = 1, College = 0
Time to conquer the next part of life.