I did NOT think the end of college would come THIS fast. I still remember being dropped off at my dorm the week before the start of college in 2007. Where has the time gone?? It literally feels like yesterday...but when I think of the hard work that has been put into the past 4 years...it seems like a lifetime.
Many don't know this, but Texas A&M was not my first choice school...it actually was near if not at the bottom of my list of "preferred" schools. I thought it was TOO big and weird and "not for me". I came here in the end for financial reasons and guess what...I HAD THE BEST TIME!!
This school has really done more for me as a person than it has for my academic career. Don't get me wrong, it provided a great education as a pre-med. However I came in with a solid set of study skills and ambition for my field, that all I really gained was more knowledge to prepare me for medical school. What A&M really taught me was leadership, communication, and a steadfast faith.
Leadership. I have been fortunate enough to have a leadership role in some sort of organization the past 4 years in college. Four years ago I was the "quiet" and "shy" one on the exterior..but had all these ideas and passions inside of me for few to see. I cared too much of what other people thought of me so I was scared to stand for what I believed. The spring semester of my freshman year I assumed a small leadership role in one of my organizations (because someone had graduated) without really meaning to. I was scared at first, but before I knew it I was taking responsibility, making plans, and taking action. My four years here has been a progression of this "coming out of my shell" phase. I have gone from being passive to being assertive with even my closest friends. There's something so exciting and intimidating about several people looking to you for answers and guidance. You're expected to perform flawlessly and to have the answer to EVERYTHING! That's a lot of pressure! However, under that pressure lies great respect and admiration, which are two very important things that got me through the toughest of days. I have become very comfortable with who I am and what I stand for, and this surprisingly has made me a more effective and confident leader. People find comfort in relating to others so I made sure to unveil my true self to everyone I encountered, flaws and all :) It gave me courage when people sought out my advice and really made me want to make a difference in their life! All of the opportunities to help and guide others in the past 4 years have added exponential growth to my maturity as well as my professional life, and for that I am thankful.
Relationships. Now this is something I was confident I was going to experience at Texas A&M...but it turns out the experience has been something QUITE different than I imagined 4 years ago. Everyone talks about finding their "one true love" at Texas A&M. In fact so many do, that I thought SURELY it's going to happen to me. I was the girl in high school who seemed to always be "talking" to some guy. That was my comfort zone...for the school and environment that I was in. It turns out that in college, I bolted in the other direction. So much so that many have asked me if I've EVER been in a relationship...FYI yes I have. I have come to appreciate the beauty of friendships in college so much that those romantic relationships were honestly unappealing to me for the longest time. True solid friendships are hard to find. It took me a couple of years to find my niche...but once I did there was this mutual trust and selfless giving that I had never experienced before. My friends that I have made here are THE MOST caring and selfless people I know. They would literally put their life at risk for me. It has been such a humbling experience that I myself have become more giving and selfless in the process..because of their generosity. I have learned so many life lessons, had so many laughs, cried so many tears, shared so many stories and moments...that it makes me believe they are part of my family. I believe that surrounding yourself with people you admire and want to model is so important to finding those lasting relationships. However, the true key to my beautiful friendships in college has not been the crazy party times, the study times, or even the story times...it has been a strong faith-based foundation.
Faith. All I can say is St. Mary's. That's it. This Catholic community at Texas A&M has done more for me than I could have ever imagined. I am truly a completely different person than I was 4 years ago. I have put God first in my life and now make all decisions in life based on this. I rely on God for literally everything and without Him I have no clue where I'd be right now. I have come in contact with my life's deepest wounds, sorted through the hurt and pain, and started the healing process all in the past few years. I have learned to not be anxious. I have learned to listen to others. I have learned to spend more quality time with others. My faith life has taught me so many life lessons. The biggest one is leading by example. I believe the biggest influence for those around you is NOT by shoving morals and virtues down their throats. It is by living out all that you stand for regardless of what others think. It takes great courage and fortitude to live this life, but it gives great hope to others. So I think it's worth it :)
So yes...all in all...Texas A&M you have been good to me. I am sad to be leaving the wonderful people who have made my experience here amazing...but I am more excited about what is to come. I know I will keep in touch with them...so losing them forever does not worry me in the slightest.
Well..here's to graduation and the Class of 2011!! WHOOOOOOP!!
