Being in college for longer than the average Joe has taught me to appreciate the time I've spent in this protective bubble; not yet out in the "real world" per say, but inching ever-closer to it. Where I used to be terrified of that idea, I've now embraced it, because I feel that I've been preparing for a long time to enter into the realm of a professional career and truly begin my post-undergrad adventure.

That being said, there is something I'll miss immensely: being Editor in Chief (EIC) at Stony Brook's Odyssey community.

My friend Kayla, who has since graduated this past December (woo-hoo!), welcomed me onto the team as a Creator back in November of 2016 when she was EIC. Being an English major with a Creative Writing minor, Odyssey was like a dream: freedom to write on whatever topic you want? Weekly submissions to keep practicing the craft? Count me in!

I've been nearly everything you can be on an Odyssey team: Creator, Contributing Editor, and EIC. This makes my experience particularly special, I feel, because of the different levels at which I've been involved with Odyssey over the years, and everything I've learned while in each position.

Odyssey has helped me realize my love for online publishing, especially involving the editing and writing process combined, as well as leading a team of incredibly talented and driven Creators who constantly impress me and make me SO proud to be EIC here.

So, when I graduate in May and pass the EIC role onto someone else, it'll be a bittersweet transition. I feel like I've been doing this for so long that it's going to always be a part of me, or it's something that I won't be able to entirely detach from, but I know whoever becomes the next EIC will be amazing in their own right.

I value my time with Odyssey immensely, especially with all of the amazing people I've met because of it. My team has helped me be more creative and social (I'm a bit of a shy girl!) in such a short amount of time; I can't thank them enough for sharing their experiences through this platform and for consistently being amazing people to work with.

I'll miss you, Odyssey. But no matter where I go or what I end up doing, you will always be a part of my life that helped me shape just who I'd like to be.