By the time this article is published, I will have already attended my first class of my senior year of college. I will have already walked into that exciting French Cinema class at 3:00pm on Monday. When people ask me if I'm happy to graduate, I have zero idea of what my reply should be. I’m scared and I'm sad and I really don't know what emotions I should be feeling. My fellow classmates seem excited and ready to fly through this year, but I can’t imagine that in a few short months I will be taking my seat at John A. Farrell Stadium waiting for my name to be called to receive that shiny piece of paper I have been working so hard to obtain. I can honestly say that I am tearing up while writing this article because I have so many great memories of the past four years flooding into my head right now.

I was not always a student at West Chester University. I spent my first two years of school at Rosemont College. I know, right now you're thinking, “Where the hell is Rosemont?” Rosemont College is about a mile away from Villanova in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia, PA. The slogan there is “The Power of Small.” Why is this their slogan? Because… the undergraduate student enrollment number is 597…that’s why. While the school is very very tiny, it was not a negative. I knew most of the people on campus and even if I wasn't super close with someone, everyone made a point to smile or say, “Hello” while passing one another on their way to class.

I still remember move in day freshman year. It was a Thursday and I was wearing striped, navy shorts and a disgustingly bright orange shirt my orientation leader gave me. I remember the RA who showed me where my room was in Kaul Hall and we eventually became really good friends that semester. I remember meeting my roommate and hitting it off right away. I remember signing up to go to Dorney Park with the other freshmen and bailing as soon as I found out there would be a party that night off campus. My first college party! I remember the people I talked to that night and the conversations we had. I even remember what I wore; A black tank with white polka dots, black shorts, red oxfords, and red lipstick (I wanted to look like Taylor Swift). I stuck with a girl named Ali that night, who eventually became (and still is) one of my best friends in the world.

When entering freshman year, everything is so new and exciting! But, I really went through a whirlwind that year. My boyfriend and I broke up and got back together too much that first year of college. We are still together now and have grown so much, but I wish I could go back and fix the problems I caused in that moment. I also wish I kept up better with the friendships I made that year. I really discovered a lot about myself when I was a freshman. I made friends with so many people around campus and dove into new experiences. I found out I like to go to parties. I witnessed how interesting South Street in Philadelphia was for the first time. I even joined the lacrosse team after spending my whole life as a cheerleader!

Sophomore year wasn't my best year; owever, I do really appreciate this time. I grew a lot closer to Ali which seemed impossible after how much we bonded freshman year. I also became best friends with Erin. Ali and Erin are 100% my lifelong college friends. When my mom went to East Stroudsburg University, she made best friends that we still see about twice a year to this day. Seeing her still so close with these women always makes me think about my friends and I in the future. Ali and Erin are the girls I know I’ll see often as we grow up and start families.

In March 2015, I received my third concussion (the first two were from being a flyer in cheerleading). After this concussion, I felt very down. In my mind, it seemed as if the world was against me. I wasn't my happy, bubbly, energetic self for the rest of the semester. I liked to be in my room and in my bed most of the time. I went late to or skipped classes. When I came home for the summer, I was happier being with my family and working. But throughout the summer, when I thought about it, I wasn't excited to go back to Rosemont. At the end of July, on the way home from Rehoboth, Delaware, I cried to my mom saying I didn't want to go back. The first school that came to my head when she asked where I would want to go instead was West Chester University. I visited WCU a few times and thought it was a terrific school, especially for my major. My mom, dad, and I worked hard for the rest of the summer to get my application in and figure out housing and class scheduling. They supported me through it all and I can’t thank them enough. Finally, the day in August came where I found out I was accepted into West Chester University and even better, at transfer orientation, I got the last apartment available on south campus!

This was the year I believe that I grew the most as a person and discovered even more about myself. I remember move in day where I was greeted by my super happy and friendly roommate, Kat, who would later become one of my best friends. We went out that night with some friends from our building and then had to walk the whole way back to south because the shuttle didn't start running until the next day. I experienced my first college homecoming, which was amazing! I competed in my first pageant in February, Miss West Chester University. I always performed and did musicals in high school, but didn't have that opportunity so much in college. This pageant gave me the chance to be on a stage again which was so fun! I met so many amazing women in this process. I also started working at Sykes, the student union, which I absolute love! The staff is literally a family and I can’t think of a more perfect job that lets you get involved and meet so many different people. I had an amazing year, aside from a few roommate issues. Lol. In my junior year, I laughed, I cried, and I turned 21. #TurnUp! I really matured this year and gained more knowledge and more values.

Now here I am, senior year. The last year I can say, “I’m a broke college student” or “I’m not an alcoholic, I’m just in college.” It’s crazy to think this time has already arrived. I remember my sister being a senior when I was a freshman and how much fun she had. I can’t believe that now it’s my turn. I’m nervous for this year. What if my classes are too hard? What if I don't get into grad school? Where should I live after I graduate? I do know, however, that through all this uncertainty, I will always have the love and support of my family and friends. As I begin this exciting time, I want to genuinely thank all the people I have met along the way who have helped me to grow and allowed me to make mistakes. Because that’s what this time is all about, right? Making mistakes, learning from them, making lifelong friends, and eventually finding yourself. I’m ready to see what God has planned for me next. Let’s hope it’s as lit as college!