It’s that time of year again where we get ready to say goodbye to longtime friends as another class graduates this spring. They’ve weathered the highs and lows of college life through the pandemic, as well as braving through the sometimes terrifying storms of adulthood. In their own words, these are some of the memories, experiences, and lessons from the graduating class.
“My advice to younger students is this: Enjoy every moment! It truly does go by so fast. Go outside of your comfort zone, be intentional, and take chances!” Abigail Lapp said.
“Treasure the relationships you make during your time in college. You might not stay friends with people from high school, so it’s important to hang on to the people you get close with in college. Invest in spending time with people you know you can lean on when things are tougher,” Marin Dremock said.
“Find a way to think for yourself but still listen to others, find your values and stand for them but recognize when you’re wrong and grow from that. Everyone else is as lost and confused as you are even though they won’t admit it. Most of all don’t lose sight of God in favor of being whatever it is you feel is appealing to others or to your own vice,” an anonymous senior said.
“My favorite part of Eastern is the quiet nights. The most formative hours of my life were spent in Fenimore Park talking to soon-to-be friends and in silence listening to God. Go for a walk. It could change your life,” Ella Smoker said.
“Being at Eastern has taught me many things. The diversity in belief and culture throughout campus really puts everything in perspective. It makes you realize that every adult that you have ever looked up to is still figuring things out just as much as you are. Nobody is perfect, and you just need to take everything day-by-day. Follow your beliefs and stay true to yourself. My fondest memories of Eastern University are the hundreds of small interactions within the community that I had throughout my time at Eastern. Spending time talking, growing, and learning with my friends has been central to who I am today,” Marcus Williams said.
“Many say that the college years are the most formative years of a young adult’s life. Coming into Eastern University as a freshman can be overwhelming yet disheartening because it feels like there are so many people that are your age, who all are at such different stages in their emotional, intellectual, and professional growth. Be understanding of where others are in their journey. I guarantee that you will not leave this University the same bright-faced student that walked in,” Williams continued.
“I think the advice that I’d give is to just enjoy these four years because they go by so quickly. Immerse yourself as best as you can in the community by going to events and making an effort to create new relationships!” Mercedes Lohmann said.
“I think the most important advice I can give is to really try to enjoy and cherish every moment in college! I took it for granted, but I definitely miss all the memories that Eastern has given me,” Lois Han said.
“As a senior, there are countless pieces of advice I wish I could go back in time and share with my earlier college self. At the top of the list is to be open to discovering new areas of interest and opportunities. You truly never know where stepping outside of your comfort zone may lead you and college is the perfect opportunity to do so. It will be over before you know it, so do not let the chance of having meaningful or valuable experiences pass you by!” Keilah Cook said.
“I would offer this quote by Saint Sophrony, ‘Stand at the brink of despair, and when you see that you cannot bear it anymore, draw back in a little, and have a cup of tea,” Amelia Thomas said.
“I would say to not get caught up in the stress of everything because even though it is all so important, so are the experiences. I think making your best effort in both school, sports, and relationships are so important during these years so you don’t regret missing out on anything. Also take advantage of opportunities! I joined tennis in my senior year because I wanted to, just do things you want to do! Don’t think about what people are thinking of you if you want to do your own thing! These are truly the iconic years,” Erin Figueroa said.
“If there’s something that I have learned from college is that the five-year plan that you have set out your freshman year will not come true. Your five-year plan is not God’s plan. When you realize that, the rest of college will feel like a roller coaster full of ups, downs, crazy turns and unexpected drops. However, it’s not going to be so scary because you have your friends screaming along beside you! The safety bar in front of you, that’s your professors, your administrators, God and all of the support that Eastern has to offer you,” Ilaria Merone said.
While our graduating class continues to blaze their own path onwards, we look forward to following in their footsteps. We can’t wait to see all that they’ll do next!