This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Saint Mary's chapter.
If I had a dollar for every time someone reminded me that this is my last semester and/or asked me what my plans were after graduation, this last semester would be paid off in full and then some. I’m lucky I even know what I’m doing a few hours from now let alone in a few years! So many emotions come into play when we’re constantly reminded “this is your last time to do _______.” We’re excited to start a new chapter in our lives, but we’re devastated by the thought of leaving the people that have become our sisters over these past 3.5 years. We can’t wait to see where life takes us in the next few months, but we’re terrified to see where life takes us in the next few months as well. Yes, this is the last semester to fit everything in, but there still are so many things to look back on and remember how sweet it was to experience them here at Saint Mary’s—here’s a select few.
- Remember when we moved into our dorms on that rainy and humid August morning back in 2012? Endless amounts of cars wrapped around the driveways of each dorm with the Bed Bath and Beyond catalog of items. Not one ID picture (that I know of) showcases our high-fashion profile; unless high-fashion is being soaked by the rain, then mine deserves to be in a Dior advertisement for People Magazine. We met our roommates for the first time, whether they were random or we chose them from Meet Me at the Avenue, and took those hilariously awkward “first roomie pics” thanks to our lovely parents. And who could forget Domerfest? That was the beginning of infinite memories with the friends that would stick by our side come hell or high water. Man, were we babies or what?!
- Remember the first time going to a Notre Dame football game? As Catholics, the holy days of obligation fall on Sundays and saints’ feast days. For Notre Dame, holy days of obligation fall on 6 Saturdays throughout late August to mid-November. Tailgating, exploring campus, talking/meeting other fellow ND fans, and sitting in the end zone cheering so loudly for the band and the players running out of the tunnel was incredible. “Shipping Up to Boston” sent chills throughout the stadium; the benches were rocking out thanks to the pump-up jam “And there’s a magic in the sound of her name, here come the IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRISH, of Nooooooootre Dame.”
- Remember when we went to other sports besides football for free t-shirts and food? Actually, that’s still true to this day… I guess some things really don’t change ;) #collegekidprobs
- Remember when we would go to mass together in Le Mans or Regina on a Sunday night in our sweatpants? We hold each other’s hands and sing the Our Father. We deepen our faith and strengthen our community with those dear to us. It was, and still is, a time of peace. By sharing a love for our faith and friendship, we just knew that God placed us in the right place at the right time, holding onto the people that were placed with us.
- Remember when we FINALLY got our rings in the mail? That anticipation drained us, but as soon as we saw that orange slip in the mail in September and October, we were more excited than Bruce from Matilda finishing that chocolate cake. Every spot on campus was the perfect background for a photoshoot, and those photoshoots were well-deserved. We have a tangible piece of Saint Mary’s with us forever, and that’s something that we will treasure until the end of time.
- Remember when we went to Michiana’s hottest night club for the first time? No? Me neither…
- Remember when we experienced our first Late Night Breakfast? Hands down one of the best, if not the best, tradition Saint Mary’s embraces! Where else would you expect almost 1000 students belt out to our home girls Beyoncé and Taylor Swift and eating eggs + hashbrowns + bacon served by our favorite professors? If your snapchat story isn’t filled with girls dancing on tables/chairs in the dining hall during finals week, you’re missing out on some glorious action.
- Remember when we went to other ND sports besides football and not solely because of the free stuff? I greatly appreciate Purcell Pavilion for basketball and Compton Family Ice Arena for hockey for not kicking me out for cheering/yelling too obnoxiously. Thanks for giving me something to look forward to on the weekends and giving me something to cheer about and reigniting my love for sports. But seriously, kudos for not kicking me out—I have to make my parents proud of me for something.
- Remember when we said that we didn’t want to graduate? Yeah, me too.