Today I'll be a college graduate from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a degree in Marketing.
Wow, that's going to get some getting used to.
Dear UNC Charlotte,
How has our time together be over already? The past four years have flown by so fast that it seemed like such a blur. It's crazy to think about how our journey together started.
When I first set foot on campus here for my first tour I was terrified. This was the last school I had left to choose from and I was so overwhelmed with what to think. Is this the right school for me? Why are there so many geese walking around? What's a niner anyways? People always talked about the excitement of walking on the campus of their dream school and I just didn't know if this was mine or not. I sent in my application for this school on the very last day they were accepting applications and only because I knew they were getting a new football team. A great reason to apply for a school, huh?
I know we had a (very) rocky start in the beginning, to the point where I was going to transfer out to NC State, but you proved to me that this is where I belonged. As shy and stubborn as I was, you showed me that it was ok to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself. Not only did you grow on me, the whole city as well. It's crazy to think that I was so scared to move out here in the city and now I never want to leave. I'm a true believer that everything happens for a reason and you definitely showed me that during my time here.
You brought me so many memories that it's hard to believe they all fit into the past four years. Moving into my freshman dorm seemed like yesterday and I can remember so much of it so clearly (partially might be because I vlogged the whole day). My dad and I thought we could conquer moving day ourselves... (almost) broken back, rainy day and all. There were so many emotions happening all at once as I walked into what would be my home for the next year.
My first year here you gave me my first ever roommates. It was definitely a learning experience living with three girls in one suite, but we managed to survive. You also gave me a roommate that would later one be the same girl who I continue my college journey with and live with for the next four years (s/o to you Niki!).
Freshman year was filled with more tears than I ever thought was possible, but made up with twice as many laughs. You gave me the first-ever Charlotte football team (Go Niners!) that year and the chance to meet Nev from Catfish. Freshman year was filled with so many firsts, first time living with 3 other girls, first time going clubbing, first time skipping class, first time failing a test... Our first year together was tough but filled with so many adventures.
And then, just like that freshman year ended. I would be lying if I said I missed you when I left to go home for that summer. Like I said, we did start off pretty rocky. Summer went by in a blink of an eye and next thing you know it I was packed up and headed back out to see you again.. tears and all.
I remember my first few weeks of commuting to class sophomore year was BRUTAL. Ok, maybe I'm overreacting a bit, but you really need to fix your parking situation, on the real though.
Our second year together you showed me that life here in the Queen City really wasn't all that bad. I started my business classes and I even managed to get on the Dean's list both semesters. You were starting to win me over, but I still felt like I was missing something here...
During my time here you gave me so many hills to climb (figuratively and literally). The classes started to get harder and harder and my living situation became a roller coaster as well... I think the reason why we had such a love-hate relationship is that it was hard for me to make friends here... but that could also be partially my fault. I was still very shy, scared and easily intimated by the fact of talking to someone new (you have to keep in mind I came from a town where everyone literally knew everyone).
That all changed Junior year. It may be because I got a job that helped force me out of my comfort zone or the fact that I was thrown into a million and one group projects or I had new roommates or a combination of all three. Either way, I was able to meet some people who would, later on, be the same people who help me (barely) survive my 3-hour finance class, I'll spend a whole semester stuck with working on a major capstone project, dance the night away with my alter ego and the ones that will drive me home from class so I don't have to walk in the dark alone.
Junior year has to be one of my favorites despite all of the stress tears I've shed and all of the sleepless nights. Thinking back on it now, I wouldn't have changed a thing because it's what helped me be the person I am today. Super cliche, am I right?
And how here we are at our final year together. Unlike the freshman year, it's the year full of lasts. Last FDOC, last marketing class, last time dodging every inchworm on my way to class, last time giving a class presentation, last final, last LDOC.. ever. It's crazy to look back and see how far we've come together. We meet when I was a shy, scared, awkward freshman and now I'm saying goodbye as a (kinda) confident, bubbly and still awkward graduate.
There's so much I'm going to miss about you. I'm going to miss the (free) football games, free Jimmy John's subs after the games, studying in Pete's Cafe, making my fancy a** powerpoints for project presentations and all of the free t-shirts. I'm going to miss (well, already miss) walking by the Belk Tower every day on my way to class and dodging every geese that I come into contact with. I'm going to miss bumping into new and old faces in the lib. I'm going to miss sprinting across campus in the pouring rain because I forgot my umbrella only to find out it stopped raining seconds after I get into the building.
So UNC Charlotte, thank you. Thank you for giving me new friends, allowing me to connect with old ones and all of the laughs. Thanks for giving me a football team to cheer for and an opportunity to further my education. Thanks for the beautiful campus and all of the amazing (and Instagram worthy) scenery. I would say this is goodbye, but let's be honest, I'll probably be back soon for some kind of photoshoot on campus. It's bound to happen.
Thanks for the memories UNC Charlotte. ..and GO NINERS!
Outfit Details:
First outfit: Lilly Pulitzer Mila Shift (old print) || Nude Wedges || Kendra Scott Rayne Necklace c/o via Rocksbox (use code: PASTELNPINKBLOGXOXO for your first month free!) || Pearl Earrings
Second outfit: Lilly Pulitzer Jackie Shift (old print) || Nude Wedges || Alex and Ani Unicorn || Alex and Ani Initial Bracelet || Pearl Earrings
Photos by: Deeana Kourtney Photography
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