I graduate in May from my dream school. Not only am I getting a degree from a prestigious university but I got to stand in the student section. I grew up a fan of this school and when I was little all I wanted in life was to stand with fellow students and cheer. It happened for me and was some of the best times of my life.

Time spent at sporting events was everything I imagined it would be and better. Standing with thousands of other students who are passionate all about the thing happening at that very moment is a great feeling. No matter the background, race, major, or other differences this was one place where the entire student body could come together with one voice for one common goal -- to cheer and yell as loud as possible for the team we love.

I grew up a HUGE football fan and went to games for as long as I could remember and saw the students yelling and more excited than anything I had seen before. It was amazing. So being able to be a part of that for four years was fantastic. It slowly started to hit me though. These are the last times I am able to stand at a game as a student of my favorite school in the world and cheer as loud as I possibly can.

My last first football game came and went, as well as the rest of the season. I sang the alma mater’s words of, “Our hearts ever hold you, NC State. In the folds of our love and pride,” and it hit home harder than it ever had before.

The last game I stood in Carter-Finley Stadium and couldn’t hold back tears over the fact that it was over. I cried.

We still had basketball season though, right? Yes, we did but that went by quicker than I imagined, too.

I got to attend football games when I was younger but men’s basketball games were a rare and special occasion. The same feeling I experienced with the football game, yet different, surprised me on Senior Day.

I had spent a lot of time in PNC Arena and had a lot of happy times and a lot of heartbreaking ones. Memories rushed back to me at the last game as the athletes who came to NC State the same time I did were being announced.

I was graduating, too. Is this real? Is it really over? This soon? Are you sure? I was a freshman like 2 weeks ago, right?

At the end of the game I once again sang the alma mater’s words and I cried.

I realized I can go back to Carter-Finley a lot easier than I could get back to PNC for a men’s basketball game and I frantically started searching for season tickets -- which are pretty expensive on my post-graduation budget. I’m gonna try anyway. Even if I have to get a loan from my parents lol.

College has been some of the best experiences of my life but the sporting events played a huge part of growing my passion for this university. I will always be a die-hard NC State fan and I will always hold these memories near and dear to my heart.

They always say, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” But, who says I can’t do both?