Warm weather at UConn comes with one indication: the end of Spring semester is near. As a sophomore, there’s nothing particularly special about completing another school year (aside from summer break, of course). But for seniors, these few remaining weeks are bittersweet. They mark the end of four exciting years and the beginning of a whole new chapter in life.
As the semester winds down, I’ve overheard several seniors express their thoughts on graduation. Hearing them talk about their mixed emotions sparked my curiosity, leading me to want to know more about life as a senior. Some are excited, some are sad, but most fall somewhere in-between. If there’s one common theme, it’s that it all goes by way too fast!
I interviewed four unique individuals, all with different majors, career aspirations, and plans for the future. Despite their many differences, they all shared similar sentiments about their time in Storrs. Here’s what they had to say about being a senior and moving on from UConn:
Name: Carolyn Praught
Major: Accounting
Hometown: Dedham, MA
HC: What’s your favorite part about being a senior?
CP: Since I know what I’m doing after graduation, it’s been nice relaxing and spending time with friends this year.
HC: When you think about graduation, what are some of your initial thoughts and feelings? Are you excited to move on from UConn? Scared?
CP: Scared. Depressed. Sad. Glad to move onto a new step in my life, but I’ll miss my time here. It’s comforting to have a job in place, but that doesn’t make it easy to leave.
HC: What are your plans after graduation?
CP: I’ll be completing an MSA program (Master of Science in Accounting) beginning shortly after graduation for one year online, and I start working in fall 2012 at KPMG in Boston as an audit associate. I’m simultaneously sitting for the CPA exam.
HC: Have you thought about where you’ll be in a year from now? Five years?
CP: A year from now I’ll still have plans to work at KPMG, since I don’t start until Fall 2012. I imagine five years from now I’ll still be working in the accounting field.
HC: What are three of your fondest memories from your time at UConn?
CP: Not sure if I could come up with a specific one. They would definitely include time with friends, my internship with KPMG and Spring Break with friends in Myrtle Beach and Orlando. Oh and more recently, driving down the “Celeron” trail in a car.
HC: Looking back on what you’ve learned throughout the past four years, what advice would you give to current students?
CP: Work hard, play harder, as cliché as that sounds. Don’t dedicate all your time to studying and have some fun while you can. It goes by really fast, so make the most of it.
Name: Jessica Schmitt
Major: Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation
Hometown: Melrose, MA
HC: What’s your favorite part about being a senior?
JS: From spending four years in college I have had a lot of knowledge and experience about college life. I know the campus and the way the school works pretty well. I understand the challenges that college students face throughout the years. So, my favorite part of being a senior is the knowledge and experience I have and being able to mentor younger students and give help and advice to them.
HC: When you think about graduation, what are some of your initial thoughts and feelings? Are you excited to move on from UConn? Scared?
JS: It’s a bittersweet feeling. One side of me is sad to leave my second home and all the friends I’ve made here. But at the same time, I feel that I am ready to move on with my life. I’ve enjoyed college but I’m ready for a change.
HC: What are your plans after graduation?
JS: After graduation, I am traveling cross-country with my brother and a friend. Then I hope to find a job or do service work for a year and then the next year go to Graduate school.
HC: Have you thought about where you’ll be in a year from now? Five years?
JS: A year from now I hope to be getting ready to go to grad school. Five years from now, I see myself graduated from grad school and working.
HC: What are three of your fondest memories from your time at UConn?
JS: It is so hard to try to decide the three best memories when I have had so many wonderful times here at UConn. Although this sounds so simple, some of my fondest memories are from just sitting at Whitney dining hall for hours, having great conversations with friends and enjoying great food. Another fond memory for me is becoming an EcoHouse Resident Assistant. I loved working in EcoHouse and participating in projects to make environmental change on campus and in the local community. I made some of my best friends living in EcoHouse. Lastly, I will go with a little UConn pride and say that the year I had season tickets for the football games created a lot of fun memories. My roommate and I would go to the games together and tailgate with family and friends. On the weekends when the team was playing away, we would cook and have football parties at our apartment and invite friends over. It was a lot of fun.
HC: Looking back on what you’ve learned throughout the past four years, what advice would you give to current students?
JS: Wow, there is so much to say. Unfortunately, my advice probably won’t go too far. I learned the most from trial and error. Learning from mistakes is often where you learn the most impactful and long lasting lessons. However, I will share some of the things I’ve learned over the past few years. Find a balance. Don’t work too hard or party too hard. Get involved. You will meet more people that way and gain important experience. The most valuable lessons I learned here at UConn did not come from my classes but instead my experiences in my jobs and club involvement. Find your passion and follow it. Don’t worry too much about grades. Try hard to learn the most you can. Don’t focus too much on getting perfect grades but rather gaining knowledge. Step outside of your comfort zone; it will help you grow. Get to know different types of people; it will make you a more understanding and compassionate human being. Don’t think that partying is the only option on the weekends. Be creative and find other things to do. Lastly, make the most of it – it will be over before you know it.
Name: Bridget Shannon
Major: Journalism, Anthropology
Hometown: Middlebury, CT
HC: What’s your favorite part about being a senior?
BS: My favorite part about being a senior is being able to gain real work experience through interning during the week, since I’ve completed most of my class requirements. This also means less homework, so I can enjoy my weekends with my friends. We’ve had a lot of fun this year attending sporting events, going out together and just relaxing at our apartment.
HC: When you think about graduation, what are some of your initial thoughts and feelings? Are you excited to move on from UConn? Scared?
BS: Graduation is bittersweet for me. I’m ready to move on to the next phase of my life, and definitely ready for a change of scenery. But I’m going to miss a lot of things about college, like being able to come home to my close friends every day, walking around the UConn campus, and watching games from the student section. One thing I’ve learned this semester from interning is that it’s a lot of easier to skip an occasional class than it is to miss work.
HC: What are your plans after graduation?
BS: I’m not sure exactly what I’m going to be doing next year. I’m traveling to China for about a month and I’ll be doing some freelance work, but as far as permanent plans I have nothing definite, which is a little scary. I’ve been applying for jobs, and making some connections, but it’s tough out there. Especially in my field.
HC: Have you thought about where you’ll be in a year from now? Five years?
BS: I’d like to be living in a city a year from now, preferably on the East coast (New York, Boston, or Washington DC). I’d like to be working for an online publication or a magazine, within the Editorial or Marketing department. I have a solid background in writing, but I’ve also done a lot of work with social media and web content over the past few years, so I would be interested in working in either. I would expect to be in the same field five years from now, probably still in the city and maybe getting close to settling down. Eventually I’d like to be in an editor position, it’s always been a dream to be Editor in Chief of a publication in the food or travel industry.
HC: What are three of your fondest memories from your time at UConn?
BS: That’s tough to narrow down. A recent one is absolutely watching the men’s basketball team win the National Championship this year. Another would probably be playing an impromptu Friday night game of football in the North Quad sophomore year. It was pouring out and my friends and I met a bunch of people that lived in our building. It ended poorly though when we all had to scrub the hallways that we tracked mud all over. One day I’ll always remember is from this year, when a friend and I ran a half marathon together. After training for a while, completing the race was an amazing feeling, plus my Dad, who lives overseas was there, along with my Grandparents, so I got to share the excitement with them.
HC: Looking back on what you’ve learned throughout the past four years, what advice would you give to current students?
BS: I’ve gotten involved with a lot while at UConn, but I wish I had done so earlier in my college career. I wish I hadn’t waited to pack a bunch of activities into my senior year, although I am happy I got my gen-eds out of the way in earlier years. Getting ahead on credits helped me to pick housing and classes earlier, plus I was able to get credit for two internships in my final year, instead of taking meaningless classes. I’d also recommend studying abroad if possible. I had an incredible experience when I studied in London, plus it’s a nice point for a resume. Don’t stress out too much over grades. I’ve found work/internship experience is more important to possible employers. Most importantly- Work hard, but have some fun too… four years goes by way too quick.
Name: Erika Puccio
Major: Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies
Hometown: Shrewsbury, MA
HC: What’s your favorite part about being a senior?
EP: My favorite part about being a senior is feeling a sense of accomplishment. We work and study endlessly for four years in order to graduate, and it is amazing to see it finally pay off!
HC: When you think about graduation, what are some of your initial thoughts and feelings? Are you excited to move on from UConn? Scared?
EP: Graduation is bittersweet. On one hand, I am so excited to start a new chapter in my life, but on the other hand, I can’t help but be sad that I am leaving some of my closest friends who I have shared amazing memories with.
HC: What are your plans after graduation?
EP: My plan for after graduation is to attend graduate school in Boston for Family Therapy. UConn has prepared me so well for graduate school and I feel confident in my ability to succeed in the counseling field.
HC: Have you thought about where you’ll be in a year from now? Five years?
EP: In a year from now I am hoping to be completing my first year of graduate school and apartment hunting in Boston with friends. While I am still young it’s important to me that I continue to grow as an independent woman and I think Boston would be a great place to do just that! In five years from now I hope to be a licensed Family Therapist, be working in a private practice, and maybe be engaged.
HC: What are three of your fondest memories from your time at UConn?
EP: One of my fondest memories from my time here was Spring Break 2011! Myself, and 4 of my sorority sisters took a cruise to the Caribbean and swam with stingrays in Cayman Island. It was one of the most unique, yet frightening, experiences I have ever had, but one I will never forget. I’ll also never forget the good times shared with my Alpha Phi sisters living in Husky Village sophomore and junior year. And last, but definitely not least, one of my most unforgettable memories was when the men’s basketball team won the NCAA National Championship! It was the best graduation present I could ask for!
HC: Looking back on what you’ve learned throughout the past four years, what advice would you give to current students?
EP: Be kind. You don’t need to be best friends with every student in your dorm or in your classes, but it’s important to be kind to one another. Take chances. Take a chance on a new club, organization, or group of friends. You learn a lot about yourself by stepping outside of your comfort zone and gaining new experiences. Have fun! College really has been the best four years of my entire life and I hope everyone else feels the same way when they reflect on their time here at UConn. It goes by quickly though, so enjoy everything UConn has to offer while you can!
So what’s the take-home message? College is full of endless opportunities, lasting memories, and sets the foundation for years to come. Take it from these girls, who have been through it, and study hard, get involved, and try something new. Most importantly, don’t forget to simply have fun! When all is said and done, four years go by quicker than you think, so remember to enjoy them. After all, you probably won’t experience another time in your life quite like college.