These last few weeks, I have found myself really thinking about windows of time. As cliché as it sounds, four years, four months, four weeks, and four days should really feel different, and they do, but in an unconventional way. For me, the last four years flew by so fast, but these last four weeks seemed to be taking their sweet (and bitter) time. Four years ago, I was preparing to start college, hoping to get a degree, a job, and some friends out of it. Four months ago, I was ready to start my final semester, eager to make the most of this semester with my friends, no matter what. Four weeks ago, I was fighting for my life, trying to battle academic burnout and finish the semester strong. And since I’m writing this prior to four days before graduation, I can only imagine how sappy and sad I’ll be; happy that it happened, sad that it’s ending. Nevertheless, it has certainly been a massive journey, and I am so incredibly grateful for it.
For me, having the ability to call college, and by extension education, my right is a huge privilege. While both of my parents went to college, I am the first woman in my paternal family to have gotten a higher education. My grandmother, whom I was raised by, was denied an education past the fourth grade. Even then, I recall her learning the English alphabet alongside me when I was a child. Therefore, getting this degree is not just an accomplishment of mine, but hers too. She has always been one of my greatest supporters, and I’m so honored to share this moment with her.
Aside from just getting my degree, there are so many “little” things that I am really proud of. I have had the opportunity to channel my creativity through writing for The Stute. The Stute was the first organization I joined on campus, and I think the Stute Weekend version of me would be very surprised to learn that I have written over 100 articles for it and served on the e-board three years in a row. I was also part of the inaugural e-board for the Stevens Consulting Group, which gave me some of my closest friends and the opportunity to build something from the ground up. I also feel like I learned a lot when it comes to both public speaking and interacting with different people from my roles as a Tour Guide and Student Ambassador. I really enjoyed this role, especially when I met families and students who told me that they were committing to Stevens because of me. Similarly, when I was part of the Student Government Association, I experienced leading people for the first time as the Rules Committee Chair. It was the most rewarding yet hardest role I’ve had to date, where I grew a lot as a person. I believe that I have also become more independent through my time here, from getting my apartment and living on my own to exploring two countries (UK and Italy) alone through study abroad. I am certainly not the same person I was when I started at Stevens, but I do think that if freshman year me met senior year me, she would be very proud!
Outside of all the academics and involvements I had, the absolute most meaningful time of my experience here was with the friends I made. I made some friends in some pretty interesting ways. Some through my orientation group and classes we shared, others during introductions from mutual friends, and some through the most random, bizarre interactions ever. Regardless, I’m very happy to have met so many amazing people, and I truly mean it when I say I sincerely hope we can remain connected no matter what.
The clock is ticking no matter what, but I’d like to challenge time a little. How did the four years of college fly by? Maybe time flew by because so much was happening, and I was so busy all the time. If that’s the case, maybe slowing down and savoring these last few moments will make things last just a tiny bit longer. After all, what is the speed of time if not your awareness of it? Anyways, before I get too philosophical, I just want to say congratulations, class of 2026! We did it!
