91吃瓜

My time as a Jimmie is coming to an end, and I wish it didn鈥檛 have to. Lately, I鈥檝e been feeling very old. I鈥檓 completing the last classes of my four-year plan, my friends are getting accepted into different grad schools, and it91吃瓜 a LOT harder to run up the court for intramural basketball than last year.

So, in order to counteract the sadness of having to leave UJ, here are the positives that can sum up the past four years.

I鈥檝e gotten much better at handling change.

Freshman move-in day was one of the hardest days of my life. I bawled the entire car ride, and I鈥檓 not kidding. I was scared to the max even though UJ was where I wanted to be.

I鈥檝e experienced big and small changes in my life since then, and overall they have taught me to embrace life91吃瓜 changes as they come. Now, in a few months, I鈥檒l graduate and head on to my next journey. I鈥檓 confident I鈥檒l handle this change with fewer tears than the last time.

I got paired with the best possible roommate.

Move-in day was also one of the best days of my life. I met my roommate Val Keller (in Taber Hall of all places), who I now have lived with on campus every year. We were completely random strangers, so you can imagine how our first conversation in Taber went.

Both Exercise Science majors and musicians in the band, we started to get along pretty quick. We have yet to have our first roommate fight, which is our biggest accomplishment. I鈥檓 so thankful to have gone through college with her.

I can now say I鈥檝e been to Europe.

Through the Wind Ensemble, I was able to travel to Scotland and Ireland 鈥� something I never expected 鈥� last May! I had the time of my life. I saw amazing cities, ate delicious foods, and played great music alongside some of my best friends. Playing all sorts of music for concerts, in the USA and Europe, over the years has brought me so much joy that is truly irreplaceable.

I love this place with all my heart.

I joined Student Senate and the Jimmie Ambassadors my sophomore year so that I could show and tell others how much I love UJ. Getting more involved on campus in these two ways really enhanced my experience. This year I鈥檝e been the Senate/Student Body President, which has helped me grow in my leadership and organizational skills like no other.

Now don鈥檛 get me wrong, I鈥檝e taken some really tough classes and gone through loads of stress. But when people ask the standard 鈥渉ow is school?鈥� question, I can鈥檛 help but respond that I have loved being a Jimmie and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.