I’m a month away from graduating from the University of Central Florida, and the reality of that still feels unreal. For years, school has formed the structure of my routine and my identity. Now that the countdown has begun, everything feels a little scarier. There is no syllabus for what comes next. No assignment checklist. And while that feels uncertain, it also feels like a fresh start.
More than just a major
Being an Ad/PR major in the College of Sciences, but technically in the Nicholson School of Communication and Media, has not always been the easiest to explain. Oftentimes, I’m met with dialogue like this: “You’re a communications major. How hard could it be?” I understand the questions; some people assume that I took the easy way out. Not at all, really. I struggled for a long time to choose, switching majors three times before settling on one. And honestly, I still think about other majors I could’ve chosen. That being said, no matter the major, pursuing 120+ credits requires effort. It takes late nights, persistence, and growth. I came to UCF not fully knowing who I was, but I am leaving with a clearer sense of what I enjoy, what I value, and what I am capable of, which makes this experience worth it regardless.
It was never an easy choice
Transferring through DirectConnect to UCF was not simple for me. If anything, this experience pushed me far outside of my comfort zone. I miss home more than I expected, and still do, which is not naturally me. I am someone who loves familiarity and being close to family. But I wanted something bigger for myself. I knew I was capable of more, even if it meant being uncomfortable for a while. There were challenges along the way, such as roommate tensions, college housing, and moments where everything felt uncertain, but I worked through each one. Now, I am graduating with cum laude baccalaureate honors. Not too shabby,
As a first-generation college student, the significance of this moment is even more palpable. Neither of my parents has a college degree, so I have been figuring everything out about college as I go. There was no set path, just learning and trusting myself along the way. I know there are more traditional or “safe” career paths out there, but I am proud of what I chose. I am proud that I made it here. This is a big accomplishment, even if not everyone fully understands it. I see it, and that’s enough.
The fears we do not always say out loud
Even with all of this, there are still real fears that stir with graduation. My friends and I frequently discuss the job market all the time. It feels competitive, and sometimes it’s hard to know where we fit or who is even hiring in fields like advertising, PR, and marketing. There are also personal questions. What happens to the friendships we built here? Do we all go our separate ways? Is Orlando home now, or do we go back to where we started? Even the shift in routine is concerning. We are so used to being busy that the idea of slowing down feels unfamiliar. But the more we talk about it, the more I realize none of us are alone in feeling this way.
Lately, I have been thinking about all the different directions life could go. Some days, it is doing nails or living out my Etsy dreams. Other days, it is going to grad school for analytics or trying something new, like yoga class back home. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, I am starting to see it as exciting. I am not stuck in one path. I get to explore!
If you are counting down the last few weeks like I am, wondering if you’re ready, know this: you are. Your major does not define you. Your timeline does not define you. And your future does not have to look like anyone else’s. Graduation is not the end of something: it is the beginning of something new. For the girl who came here not knowing what she was made for, this one is for you. And for me.