When I first stepped foot onto this campus, I remember upperclassmen always saying, “Don’t rush your time here; next thing you know, you’ll be at graduation.” Considering 2023 seemed so far out, I never paid much attention to time and how it was getting by me. Nor did COVID-19 help this situation.
Lately, I’ve found myself thinking about how quickly senior year came. Maybe me being a college COVID-19 baby played a big role in this, but to think graduation for us seniors is just two weeks away has me in disbelief. Throughout high school, I always knew I wanted my college experience to be outside of the only place I knew, the Bronx. I knew going away to college would give me the experience and resources that I was looking for. Although the Bronx provided me with humble experiences, Oswego introduced me to my potential that the Bronx would have never shown me.
Oswego gave me the opportunity to explore different interests of mine and areas I’d never heard of before. This ultimately led me to find my passion for storytelling and production, something I didn’t have any interest in before coming to Oswego. Even outside of the classroom, Oswego has given me valuable life lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I’ve been put into rooms where I’ve made others uncomfortable by being the only student of color; I’ve had interactions where it required me to have those uncomfortable conversations; and I’ve crossed paths with individuals from different walks of life that encouraged me to be the best version of myself. Having the opportunity to interact with such a diverse group of individuals within the ALANA community or my study abroad family has prepared me to create the type of space I hope to see out in the real world. My time on this campus makes me confident enough to tackle this new endeavor head-on.
Being so close to the finish line has many seniors like myself feeling anxious. The idea of reestablishing who we are outside of a learning environment can be intimidating. If you think about it… all we’ve ever known is school. Enrolling at the age of 4 or 5 up until we’re 21 years-old, education has been at the forefront of our lives, and we are now stepping into the unknown. Although the unknown sounds scary, if college has taught me anything, it is that I can achieve anything I put my mind to with hard work, dedication, and tunnel vision.
To think that I did everything in my power to go to any other university besides SUNY Oswego, but I ended up exactly where I was supposed to be. Oswego has shown me a part of myself that needed to be revealed and brought people into my life that I needed to experience.
To my fellow seniors, consider these last 4 years an important yet small portion of a chapter in your life. Cherish it, remember it, and don’t forget that your home will always be here waiting for you. There’s so much to come after this, and continue to remind yourself that you are the author of every next moment; therefore, create those moments for yourself. Open those doors, shatter those ceilings, and continue being unapologetically you because it has gotten you this far.
Congratulations to my fellow class of 2023! We did it!