Looking Back and Moving Forward: A College Reflection
No matter how hard I try, or how long I sit here staring at a blank document, to write some never-before-read reflection culminating my time here, I can’t help but sound cliché. It is true what they say, that these four years pass more quickly than you thought possible, and it will feel like you just began your journey as you’re getting ready to depart. How can I ever truly put into words how much my college experience has meant to me? Even though I’m sure it has been said plenty by people who are graduating, it does not change the fact that my time spent at Arcadia has made me grow into a completely new and better person.
Like any overconfident eighteen-year-old about to join the real world, I thought I knew what to expect at college. I pictured it like the movies, because that is where most of my knowledge comes from: full independence, true friendships, and a clear path towards my future. In some ways, I got everything I wanted then, but not at all how I originally planned. Over my four years, I’ve realized college is in no way a straight line for anyone. Everyone will go about this experience in different ways, but no matter what, it is still unpredictable at times and constantly changing. And honestly, coming to that realization has made my time here even more meaningful. Learning that the struggles I faced and the times I thought I couldn’t do it anymore were entirely more common than I thought, my whole mindset changed. I began to not care if I made mistakes or needed more support than others. I allowed myself to be myself, and I was rewarded greatly for it.
Another huge part of my growth came from stepping out of my comfort zone, again cliché, I know, but it’s the truth. One of my biggest regrets is not taking full advantage of everything that was available to me earlier on in my college career. There were so many resources, events, and opportunities that I thought I didn’t have time for or assumed I didn’t need/want. Over time, it became overtly clear how vital it is to ask for help, whether that meant going to the Learning Resource Network (LRN), going to professors’ office hours, or even just being more open with friends. It started to make a difference. Putting yourself out there in new or uncomfortable situations can be daunting, of course, so take the time you need to adjust, but eventually you will see that it is often where the best experiences take place.
Arcadia has also changed the way I see the world, especially my place in it. When I first arrived here, I was mostly focused on what I could gain from the experience: the people I could meet, the connections I could grow, and the knowledge I could gain. But now, I care more about what I can contribute back to something that has given me everything. My many roles as a student leader have entirely shaped the person I have become today. As a Student Ambassador, I hope I have inspired the incoming classes to enjoy the experience as much as I did; as a Peer Mentor, I hope I have guided first years into their journey; as a Civic Scholar, I hope to have given back to my community in meaningful ways. For me, growth did not come from one defining moment; rather, it came from small everyday experiences that slowly reshaped my perspective.
Looking back, the big moments like my freshman year welcome week, studying abroad, and moving into Oak Summit Apartments are memorable, of course, but what I will remember and cherish most are the moments I previously thought to be insignificant. The compliments you receive from a stranger passing by, the conversations you have with classmates before the professor enters the room, the bonds made with dining hall and facilities workers, and all the readings that you definitely finished in time for class; these are the things that I will think of when reflecting on my college experience.
To any incoming freshman, of any year, here is what I wish I knew: Do not wait to start living your college experience. Go to that event, join that club, talk to the people you see in class who you think are cool but are scared they might not reciprocate your feelings, because I can say from experience that is where the best things blossom. Use the resources available to you, even if you think they are unnecessary; you will be miles ahead of your peers with the knowledge you gain. Take care of your mental health just as much as your physical health, and remember it still comes before your academics. If your body and mind are not in the right state, there is no way you can put all of your energy and effort into those who deserve it. And most importantly, don’t be so focused on where you’re going next that you forget to appreciate where you are. Being present and grounded in the moment is something I will never stop emphasizing, as accepting and practicing it has genuinely made a big difference in my life.
If I could go back, I would in no way try to change everything I did, but I would remind myself to truly be in the moment. Enjoy the late nights spent with friends, the classes you think you will forget, the small moments, and all the in-betweens that don’t seem important at the time but end up meaning everything to you later. I don’t think anything I write will be able to actually reveal all I’ve come to know and love about myself and others through my time at Arcadia, but I hope this can suffice. It is entirely too surreal to be saying I will be graduating and leaving behind the only consistency I’ve ever known in just a few weeks, but knowing what I know now, I would not want it to be any other way.
As I move on from this chapter in my life, I don’t have every answer about what comes next, not even as many as I would have hoped, but I am okay with that. Nobody has the answers to everything in life, no matter how hard they may try, because life is not that simple. I can guarantee your college experience will not be anything like the way you planned, and I mean that in all the best ways possible. What I have gained in the end is a stronger sense of who I am, my purpose in this world, an understanding of what really matters to me, and the confidence I need to keep figuring out things as I go. I’m not sure what comes next, but I’m excited to find out, and honestly, that feels like more than enough for me.
