Saying My Final Goodbye To College
When they said the next four years of your life will fly by... they weren't kidding.
Dear Rhode Island College,
This is our breakup letter. It's coming to you a semester later than expected, but I think I'm okay with that. Ending this chapter of my life is pretty bittersweet. I was pretty unsure of you at first, I mean let's face it, you weren't exactly my first choice. I really wanted out of the same town I've been in my entire life, and my dream was to be far, far away. But, at the time, financially you made the most sense.
But, please don't take offense because I can confidently say I most definitely do not regret my time here and I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else. So much transpired over four and a half years.
Through our time together, I met so many people it's insane. Some of the most amazing people, those who left the biggest impressions on me, some who will always be my friend, some who I hope to never lose touch with, some who inspired me, some who I will continue to look up to for advice, some who pushed me to be more, some who believed in me when I didn't believe in myself, some who made me laugh until I cried, some who drank way too much with me and some who became lessons and people who I won't be moving forward with but taught me about myself.
I lost myself for quite some time here, found myself, lost myself again and then became the women I am today. I hit some really low points, had my heart broken, changed my major (which felt drastic beyond measure), fell in love, (once with myself and once with an amazing man), found my passion, exceeded academic expectations I had for myself, tried new things, joined clubs, traveled outside of the country for the first time, was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, gained 50 lbs, lost 50 lbs, gained confidence, moved out, moved back in, kept connections with family and friends, lost some along the way and am now walking away with two degrees.
At freshman orientation, only eighteen years old I wasn't exactly sure who I was but I had a very strict plan and an idea. Today, I completely veered off the path I painted for myself and for the first time, am not following any set thing to do. Today at 22, I finally feel like I have a sense of myself.
But, I'm actually ready to be lost again. Finishing school and ending this phase of my life, it took a while to love myself and figure out who I am, but now I'm entering a new chapter. One that, I'm not exactly sure where it'll take me, but I'm excited to see who I become along the way.
Finishing my final exams this past week surprisingly made me sad. I was emotional and actually cried because even though it took a while, I really loved it here. I really found my way explored parts of myself I didn't think I could tap into. I got myself into everything that made me passionate about career and about my future.
Working and going to school here, I felt cozy in this little nest. So, instead of the overwhelming excitement, I thought I'd feel, I feel a little sad to leave behind something that really shaped me. Rhode Island college, you surprisingly became a home for me, a safety net, a place of creativity and adventure. But, this is where we now part ways my friend.
So, thank you for an amazing and wild four and a half years, I may actually miss you.
Shannon Solley
Shannon Solley
Shannon Solley
Shannon Solley
