I’m sitting on my couch watching Star Wars thinking about how one of my last assignments in my college career at Pace University literally includes watching Star Wars — movies I have avoided for so long. I’m thinking about how finals are in two weeks and then after that, I will never have to do another homework assignment again. I’m thinking about how graduation is in three weeks and most of my friends will return to their home state, and I’ll listen to Noah Kahan’s new album on repeat and wallow in my sadness at the loss of their constant presence. This is more than just a three month summer vacation. For some of my friends, this is forever.
What has college taught me? First off, I’ll start with the basics. It taught me independence and, in the least cheesy way possible, who I am. I am someone who loves my friends and would do anything for them. I’m someone who hates school but must pass with decent grades. I’m someone who honestly doesn’t mind going out of my way to make connections for my future career. I’m someone who wants to succeed but have fun on the journey getting there. And, of course, I’m someone who is very happy she watched Gossip Girl in seventh grade and fell in love with the idea of moving to New York City.
The city itself has taught me so many things, as well. I found a love of walking, for one. I discovered an appreciation for public transportation, soft bagels, rats and pigeons, a bar on East 3rd Street that I became a regular at, Trader Joes, the 2/3 train line, being in the audience of late night talk shows, SNL, the Union Square Barnes and Noble, every Broadway lottery I’ve won, the giant hot dog that pops up in Times Square sometimes, and a sunny 60 degree day in Central Park where the Cardinals and Blue Jays are out chirping, and the squirrels are chasing each other. New York has become my lifeline. Every time I fly into the LaGuardia Airport and look around at people taking pictures of the skyline out the window, it baffles me that these people are only tourists, maybe seeing NYC for the first time or even an unknowing last time, but for me? This is my home, my (hopefully) forever.
There have been times throughout college that I have doubted my decision to go to a city school, times I wish I went to a state school and had a normal college experience – college bars, frat parties, large lecture halls – but I have never once doubted my decision to choose New York. New York throws you into the real world right when you get here, no if, ands, or buts. There will be no transition from college to real life after graduation like there will be for people that went to state schools, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
I will now be an alumni of Pace University, and I guess that means I need to have some school pride. Pace has its flaws, but for what it gave me in life – friends, trusted professors, an education – I think I could muster up some pride. When people ask me what school I graduated from, I can now proudly say “Pace University!” instead of my typical “Pace University?” out of fear that no one knows what school that I’m talking about (spoiler: they always do).
I would like to thank Her Campus for making my time at Pace truly so special, and a special shoutout to the wonderful E-Board. I would also like to thank Go Frogs — Carey, Emma O., Emma K., Emma F., Abby, and Gianna — for being the most wonderful friends and making the past four years a dream. And finally, I would like to thank myself for not dropping out the many times I considered it.
XOXO, Sam Shmia