As I stand here on the threshold of graduation, I am overcome with nostalgia, anticipation and gratitude for the memories I’ve made and the lessons I’ve learned.
In just two and a half years, my time being an undergraduate student at Troy University is slowly coming to an end. These past few years have been transformative, shaping me into a person who commits fully to my academic pursuits, personal growth and lifetime friendships.
As I prepare to close this chapter of my life, I want to take time to reflect on some of the moments that have made me into the person I am today. A person who is confident in my knowledge and prepared to begin writing the first sentence of the next chapter of my life’s story.
No matter what awaits me in the future, I know that I will always reminisce about my time at Troy University with a gentle smile. Like many students, I spent my first semester at Troy trying to find my place on campus. I started my journey at Troy later than most, having transferred from a small community college near my hometown.
Being a transfer student presented many challenges. I felt like there was a disconnect between me and my peers. My classmates were members in multiple organizations, having already found their designated space within the small campus. I couldn’t help but feel like I was already falling behind.
Even though I had already attained my associate degree from Lurleen B. Wallace Community College, I felt like my collegiate experience was only beginning. Throughout my first semester, the question “where is my place?” guided my actions until I finally found the answer.
I wish I could say I immediately found the illusive answer to this question, but that would be a lie. In truth, I spent my first year at Troy aimlessly floating, adrift in an ocean of endless talent and brilliant minds. I’d spent half of my time at Troy learning how to swim while everyone else was already miles ahead.
This all changed on a random Monday at the beginning of the 2023 spring semester. One day, a student stood up at the start of my Group Discussion and Leadership class and announced that the Tropolitan, the student newspaper, was looking for a News Editor. He proceeded to give the contact information of the faculty advisor and I sent them an email the moment class had ended.
A week later, I found myself as the editor of a newspaper, even though I had never written an article a day in my life. However, my lack of experience didn’t deter me. Instead, I used it to challenge myself to step outside my comfort zone and learn new things. When I entered the office located at the bottom of Wallace Hall, I knew I had finally found my place.
Suddenly, I became heavily involved on campus. I was constantly talking to new people, attending events and pushing myself to become a better writer and leader.
Becoming the news editor of the Tropolitan boosted my confidence and opened the doors to a world of new possibilities. My time at the Tropolitan taught me a plethora of valuable skills that I will continue to use for the rest of my life.
I’ve learned how to work under tight deadlines and pressure. There were many nights where I would not leave the office until after midnight because I was designing the weekly newspaper. Even though the hours could be long, I didn’t complain because I knew that everything would be worth it in the end.
I became confident that I could speak to everyone, no matter their position. One day I could interview freshmen about their expectations for their first semester, and the next, I could have lunch with Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr. No matter the situation, I knew that my professors had given the tools and knowledge to excel.
As this chapter of my life reaches its end, I can confidently say that I am not the same person I was when I arrived. Now, I will graduate having earned the “Outstanding Senior in Journalism and Communication” award. This award proves that hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed.
Even though my time as an undergraduate student is coming to an end, it doesn’t mean my time with Troy University is finished. In the near future, I hope to return to Troy to earn my master's degree in strategic communication. I plan to build a career working as a communications specialist.
I will forever be grateful to Troy University for shaping me into the person I am today. I know that when I finally walk across the stage in Trojan Arena, I will be equipped with the knowledge and experiences that will guide me for the rest of my life.
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