The windshield wipers whipped violently back and forth against the sharp rain as my mom turned the rental car past the big Indiana Wesleyan University sign. I looked at the campus map again, trying to figure out where my dorm was. My hands trembled slightly. I was nervous. Nervous to meet my roommate, nervous to find my classes, nervous to be away from home and Jake for 15 weeks. I was excited, too, don’t get me wrong. But part of me couldn’t get passed the fact that it would be 4 long years… 8 semesters of projects, papers, readings. Crying from frustration and laughing till I cried. Intense homesickness and growing up. Gaining knowledge and learning life lessons. Trying to stay awake in class and all-nighters. Building friendships and realizing drama doesn’t end with high school. Switching majors and finding an intense passion for photography. Falling more in love with Jake despite the distance. And knowing every step of the way, through the pain and through the pleasure, that I was following God’s plan for my life.
Ok, so maybe I didn’t know all of that would happen when I arrived on campus that very first day, but it’s safe to say it felt like this day would never come. And yet, somehow, it did come. It’s still surreal. Because I’ve been waiting for this day for so long, it’s hard to believe it actually happened. I’m almost scared I’ll wake up tomorrow and be back in my townhouse stressing about senior show and trying to get all my homework done…
But it really happened. I’m done!!!! I couldn’t be more excited!! Yes I’ll miss the people. My fellow classmates that turned into amazing friends who sincerely cared about each other. And the art profs that didn’t just spit out lectures and assign projects, but poured into us as individuals and helped mold us into the artists we are now. I am truly grateful for everyone that played a part in my life at college. I wouldn’t be who I am without them. That being said, it’s time to move on. I’m so ready for this next stage in my life! There are lots of adventures yet to be had. And I like adventures :)
(Oh President Henry. You’re such a cute man. Thanks for my diploma.) I was grinning like an idiot walking across the stage because I was so excited. Also, my hat popped off about 5 seconds later. I blame it on the humidity for making my hair ridiculously poofy/frizzy.
Yes, to be cheesy and cliche, I did a jumping-in-front-of-your-college’s-sign picture. And yes, contrary to how it might appear, I am actually in the air and not doing some weird ballet pose in the bark.
College chapter: finished. Time to turn the page.