It's official, I am done with college (as of two hours from now.. I have a pizza party to go to still for my last class). Where did that time go? Well, it flew by, but it gave me so many great memories. Some people don't want to hear the word graduation, but I am generally excited for it. Why shouldn't I be? I just worked incredibly these past four years for that degree! I earned it, and I enjoyed my time here.
You see, when I got to college, I told myself that I wasn't going to waste these four years. When I left high school, I wrote a song with the lyric, "These four years sure went by fast, but that's nothing compared to what's next." That's why I knew I had to make the most of these four years. I did. I know it's cliche, but, no, I'm not the same person I was when I got here. When I left Uxbridge, I was scared. I didn't even think I'd want to go as far as New York. Now, I'm moving to California. 18 year old me wouldn't have been that daring. When I was a freshman, I had fears. I wasn't sure if I would make any friends because my friends had always been Sam and Jeffrey's friends too. I wasn't sure if I would really love it or be able to handle being away from my family. I found out I can make friends. I can handle being away. I love Quinnipiac. It's given me so much more than I could have asked for. When I was a freshman, I was nervous. I was insecure and shy. Ask anyone here, I'm not really shy anymore, and I'm now confident. I went from being depressed and not being able to handle it and feeling worthless to being happy and knowing I'm worth something. Throughout these four years, I found myself. I think that's my favorite thing about these four years.
These four years, I've been involved, I've taken advantage of every situation I could, and I took chances. I lived in LA, I had four internships, I became vice president of QFS, I became Executive Producer of TMA, I made friends who I can't imagine my life without, and I learned how to stand up for myself and not be a pushover. I learned that you get what you put in. I learned how to light a studio, how to technical direct, and how to direct. I learned how to be a leader and how to always offer a welcoming smile. I learned to embrace my crazy side and not be afraid to make a fool of myself in public (yes, that includes singing Frozen in the halls of MassComm and in the parking lots). I learned to laugh at myself. I learned to feel different emotions. I learned to face my problems. I learned to change something if I don't like it. I learned what it's like to become close to someone in a short amount of time and realize you'll always be best friends. I learned that you can't understand how people you just met weren't a part of your life until now. I learned professors aren't people to be afraid of, in fact, they're people to befriend. I learned to take every opportunity I can. I learned to never take anything for granted and to appreciate whatever job you have. I learned that sometimes, it's okay to be a little irresponsible. Lastly, I learned it's good to take risks and make the films you want to make.
These four years have been simply amazing. Am I sad to leave? Yes and no. I'm leaving without regrets (well, the only regret I have is not befriending a couple people sooner, but that's okay because they'll be a part of my life from here on out). I will miss people, but I'll stay in contact with them. I'll miss the studio, but I'll get to work in bigger ones. I'll miss walking around campus when it's warm, but I took it in while I was here. I'll miss a good amount, but the amount of memories I have made here have made these last four years worth it.
To all you co-graduates, get excited because you earned it. You earned that degree and deserve to celebrate and be proud of these last four years.
peace.love.happiness.
