Realizing that the days are counting down towards the end of the school year can be a very exciting time as you look forward to summer and not having to worry about essays, annotated bibliographies or exams.
However, for me, it has made me realize that I am about to be entering my final year of undergrad, which is exciting but also saddens me as I have loved my time at university from the excitement of moving into my dorm, O-week, moving into my upper year apartment, being involved in clubs and meeting new people.
When I first got to university, everything was new and felt a little overwhelming. Moving away from home and moving into residence was a big step, but it was also where I met some of my closest friends. Those first few weeks are filled with late nights, orientation events and simply just figuring out how to navigate campus and independence. At the time, it felt like the beginning of something that would last forever. Now, looking back, it feels like it all went by way too fast.
As the years went on, the university became more than a place I just attended class, but rather it became a routine and a lifestyle. Moving into an apartment in my upper years brought a whole new level of independence. Cooking for myself, managing my time and balancing school with a job and a social life became part of everyday life. Being involved in clubs and campus activities also gave me a sense of belonging and purpose beyond my academics. These experiences not only shaped my university experience but also who I am becoming as a person.
Part of what makes this experience even a bit more emotional is that I took a gap year before coming to university which I do not regret the slightest, as it taught me many things and prepared me for university. However, now I am seeing my friends from high school getting ready to graduate, and I still have a year left. Seeing them reach that milestone makes me so excited and immensely proud, but it also makes everything feel more real. It is like I am caught in between, no longer being at the beginning of university, but not quite at the end either. Watching them move on, highlights just how quickly this phase of life passes and makes me reflect moredeeply on my own experience.
What makes this stage feel so strange is that it is a mix of emotions. On one hand, I am excited to be almost done. Finishing my degree feels like a huge accomplishment as I will be the first in my family to receive a degree and I look forward to what comes next in my life.
On the other hand, there is a quiet sadness that comes with knowing that this chapter is reaching an end. The routines, the people, and even the stress of deadlines are all things I have grown used to, and it is hard to imagine life without them.
I think part of the sadness comes from the realization that things will never quite be the same again. University is such a unique experience where you are constantly surrounded by people your age, learning, growing and experiencing life together. There are a sense of freedom and the possibility that feels different from what comes after. The idea of leaving behind is both exciting and a little scary.
As I prepare to enter my final year, I am trying to embrace both the excitement and the sadness. This “strange sadness” is just a reflection of how meaningful my university experience has been and a reminder to not take this time for granted, but to appreciate every moment of it while it is still here.
Contributed Graphic/Anna Koehler
