As a soon-to-be graduated student of Seattle University, I have spent the last few years of college relying on the good—and the bad—advice I have received from peers, family and friends. Each week I will answer two questions submitted by readers to the best of my ability. The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own.

How does graduating from college feel? Is there anything you will miss most?

Graduating from college is bittersweet. I am excited to be done “learning” through my computer, but ending college during a pandemic has been sad as I know there are a lot of people I probably will never see again. My favorite part of college was definitely the people I met along the way and the communities I built within the university.

I knew going into college that I wanted to be involved in different groups and organizations on campus. I am really happy that I followed through with that goal because I have met so many amazing people and new friends. I am leaving college with incredible memories and experiences and I feel very grateful.

I lived on floor nine in Campion Hall my first-year at Seattle U and I am still close friends with a group of people that lived on my floor. Becoming friends with everyone on that floor definitely made my college experience better, so I recommend putting yourself out there and making new friends from your floor.

In a lot of ways, college was really difficult and I learned important lessons from the hardships. I felt obligated to be best friends with my two roommates freshman year because I wanted that perfect roommate experience. I ended up moving out of that dorm when I realized that I shouldn’t put my energy into toxic friendships. I also didn’t want to be friends with people who were limiting me from meeting other people and stepping out of my comfort zone.

I know I made the right choice because once I stepped back from that friend group, I was no longer scrutinized and judged for making more friends from different groups. Don’t be afraid to do what’s best for you when you enter college because no one has a picture perfect time and don’t limit yourself to fit in or make other people happy.

Most of all, I am going to miss being a part of organizations and groups on campus. From studying abroad to working several jobs on campus, it’s hard to put into words how much I will miss everyone that made each group special. 

I was really nervous about joining the school paper because I felt like I wasn’t good enough to be a journalist. Being a part of The Spectator has shown me how much room there is to grow and learn as a writer and teammate. I remember the first time I saw my name in print and it felt like the possibility of being a journalist wasn’t so far-fetched. A year later, I was published in the Seattle Times with the best co-news editors I could’ve asked for. And now in a few short weeks, I will be starting a full-time position at Business Insider as a journalist. 

Being a part of groups on campus can change the course of your college experience in a positive and truly transformative way. I cannot recommend it enough.

Thank you to the entire Editorial Board at The Spectator for the opportunity to be a part of this incredible team. Myrea, Andru, Jacqueline, Logan, Emma, Augustyna, Faye and Kim: you are all the best team to work with and I know you are all going to do amazing things. Thank you again for everything. 

Thank you for reading my advice column this quarter! If you have any questions, email [email protected].