My four years spent at Stevens impacted me in ways that I could have never imagined. The sleepless nights trying to derive heat and mass transfers taught me to persevere through difficulties, no matter how impossible they might seem. Living alone in a new city with no immediate family nearby taught me to treasure my family that much more, since they now lived so far away. Building a community of people from different organizations and backgrounds around campus taught me that the most important thing I’ve gained from Stevens was something that I did not expect: my friendships.
Leaving Stevens with my Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering is a feat that I will always be proud of. However, I’m even more proud of the friends that I’ve made along the way. My friends in the Stevens Christian Fellowship inspired me to stay true to my beliefs, even if the world tells me otherwise. They helped me to strengthen myself from the inside out and leave situations that were no longer helping me thrive. Kathleen, Kaitlyn, Marisa, Sophia, Hannah, Brandon, Caleb, David, and Alex – you guys inspire me.
My engineering friends who struggled alongside me all these years encouraged me not to give up, even if it felt like the better option. Their knowledge and wisdom lifted me up and surprised me at times. I don’t know if I’ll ever find a group of smarter individuals in my whole life. Anusha, Emily, Joe, Olivia, Brynn, and Jake – I’m thankful to have you in my life.
My friends in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and The Stute brought me so much happiness in my final year of college. I ran into at least one of their members nearly every day as I wandered my way around campus. It was a blessing to work with a passionate community like those within these two clubs. Tan, Lizzie, Lia, Sanjana, Trevor, Jordyn, Keenan, Olof, and Roshni – thank you.
My roommate, Ellie Savova, taught me how to make her family’s Bulgarian stuffed peppers, how to travel to Miami without your parents knowing, and, most importantly, how to love others. Choosing her as my roommate after freshman year was a leap of faith and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. She is smart, spontaneous, and strong as hell. She’s also the only person I know who can calmly organize a whole group to go clubbing in New York City. Sakina, Niko, Andrew, Mya, and Alexis – you’re the best.
Finally, to myself: I’m so proud of the person that I’ve grown into during my time at Stevens. When I came into college, I was young, somewhat clueless, and had no clue what engineering really meant. Leaving, I’m a confident and proud young woman who is ready to face the world and make a difference with all of the knowledge I’ve learned along the way.
To my readers, I would emphasize that the most important thing to get you through your years here is kindness. Talk to that stranger. You never know what they’re going through. Invite that kid to sit at your table in Pierce. He might end up being a closer friend than you think. Go to that meeting that you weren’t sure about. It could change your life. Put down your homework for a few minutes and make time for that friend that needs you. It will all be worth it in the end.
Thank you for reading. Peace out, Stevens.
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