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UC Graphics is always an exciting place to work!

To be honest, I can’t really quite believe this day is here: my last “last day” of class at Whitewater. It seems like just yesterday was my “first first” day of college…or at the very least my “last first.” Needless to say, I have no idea where the time has gone.

Through all of the years of K-12 school and four years of college, it always kind of seemed like formal education was something that literally had no end. Although I know I’ll never truly be done learning, it’s very peculiar to think that next semester, I won’t be taking classes; instead, I’ll be teaching them. Instead of sitting in desks, I’ll be standing in front. Instead of worrying about grades, I’ll be grading. Instead of living in Whitewater, I’ll be….who knows?!

Over the past few weeks (…and months…and, if we’re being really honest, this whole semester), this sense of not knowing has been truly terrifying. It’s a crossroads, but instead of three or four pathways to choose, there’s like 26, and I have no idea which one is best. What if I choose wrong? What if I mess up? How am I ever going to be a grown up if I can’t even decide which box to pack my t-shirts into?

Somewhere in the midst of all that panicking, I came to what I think is a pretty brilliant realization: I can’t magically stop being scared, but I can start being excited. Despite all of the unknowns, moving on after college presents so many opportunities. I may not know much about what lays ahead of me, but what I do know is that my time at Whitewater has changed and prepared me as much as possible. I know I have a lot left to learn, but I’m ready to keep moving forward. After all, if there’s one thing I’ve learned during my time at Whitewater, it’s that you’re never done learning.

Anyway, people say it’s natural to get nostalgic when good times come to a close, and I’m beginning to think that’s pretty darn accurate. Before I get too teary-eyed, there’s a few words of thanks I’d like to mention:

  • To my mom who taught me how to write, and my dad who taught me how to think (and who both support and love me unconditionally)
  • To my professors (particularly Victor Barger, Denise Schulz, and Amy Slater), for committing your lives to education and to helping myself and other students prepare for their lives post-graduation
  • To Kat Shanahan, for being crazy enough to hire me in the first place
  • To my coworkers and friends in the UC for always making work an adventure
  • To you, our UC blog readers!

Make the most of your time here, Warhawks. It goes faster than you could possibly imagine. This has all been wonderful, but now I’m on my way.