As of the Spring 2026 semester, I am concluding my bachelor’s degree journey. All that’s left for me is to finish one German class, write my last articles for Her Campus at UPR Rio Piedras, and take one big trip with a group of local and exchange students. It feels relatively straightforward, even with several things popping up along the way. As the semester draws to a close, I feel it’s only appropriate to quote the great Master Oogway: “My time has come.”
If you know anything about me, reader, it’s that my college experience hasn’t exactly been linear. A few years back, I wrote about my major switch and how it was the best thing I could’ve done for myself. If you happened to miss that chapter, I’ll summarize: I originally entered the University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras campus (la IUPI) as a public relations student and decided to switch to foreign languages after two very uninteresting years (and a mid-presentation professor-induced panic attack I left out of my original article). After that good, big decision, things have gone pretty smoothly.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have been a part of many great things. For starters, I got my first job at the university’s Lazaro Library, which helped prepare me for what has become a career in retail to this day. It also introduced me to one of my closest friends! Of course, there’s my time at Her Campus to consider and how my cousin helped me become a writer since my very first semester at la IUPI. More recently (a year ago), I had the opportunity to join Mentores a lo Boricua, where I’ve been able to interact with many exchange students. One of the bigger privileges I’ve had was being chosen for a scholarship provided by the Camões – Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua, I. P. (Institute for Cooperation and Language, Public Institute). It was a sort of work-study arrangement in which another student and I helped at the university’s Portuguese Language Center. Through the scholarship, I was able to meet professionals and some diplomats who could help me if I were to pursue a career in the Portuguese-speaking forum.
On a simpler note, my bachelor’s degree has seen me through several haircuts, three separate hair colors, five jobs, two majors, two relationships, two cars, and many an existential crisis. Maybe that last point isn’t as simple, but I’ve learned to take things in stride. Live and let live or something, haha.
As is to be expected, the thought of graduating and getting my Bachelor’s degree is a bittersweet one. On the one hand, I’m thrilled to see the payoff for the five years I’ve spent at la IUPI, studying through many a night and writing enough essays to last me a lifetime. The people around me can tell you as much, especially when it comes to my German courses during the last two and a half years. But I also feel sad because I’m going to be leaving behind so many wonderful people: professors and fellow students who made my years at the university worthwhile. There’s also all the people I met through organizations like Her Campus, who have also brought their own sparkle into my life. People whom I consider to be some of my closest friends will remain there while I go on to do whatever it is that fresh graduates do. The thought of losing that camaraderie and familiar cast is pretty intimidating.
What am I supposed to do? Socialize with strangers to make new friends at a potential workplace? Ha. (Jokes aside, it’s not like I’m completely losing touch with everyone. Phones are a thing, and I’m going to pursue a master’s degree at la IUPI.)
All that said, I’m putting my best foot forward and embracing whatever changes come my way. So, goodbye bachelor’s degree and goodbye Her Campus, you’ve been great to me. Hello, master’s degree, and my future!
