With my first semester of senior year coming to a close, I’ve learned a lot about the importance of cherishing memories and moments that won’t last forever. Even if it’s as small as baking with my roommates, I make sure to remind myself in those moments of how special they really can be.
When I transferred to SUNY Cortland in my sophomore year, my life was completely different than it is now. Different friends, different living situations, etc. At the moment though, I wasn’t worried about what would change within the next year or if it even would. Of course, a lot more than just my social and living situation changed. I changed my major, joined a sorority, and even a few clubs. These small changes are important when moving forward in life because they all encapsulate the person that you are in this very moment. When you look back at your first year at Cortland, or even last year, there’s a high chance that so much has changed; not just with you, but also with your peers. The girl across the hall from you got a cat so now you’ve befriended her and go out to lunch every Thursday; The boy in your class who used to be a stranger, is now your boyfriend of one year. These are the life events that usually happen so quickly that we don’t even have time to stop and realize how impactful they are on us as people.
Once you’ve grasped the idea that these moments are this impactful, you’re going to be more open to new experiences. I recently got hired for an internship position, as a Social Media Manager. After my first day on the job, I sat with myself and my stress in my room. I stared at the wall for about 15 minutes before grasping the fact that I wanted this, I got it, and now it’s my job to make the most out of it. Some of the most stressful moments in our lives lead us to the most impactful and important parts that help define our future, and as Stevie Nicks once said, “Time Makes You Bolder”. I ended up getting this quote tattooed on my forearm as a tribute to my ongoing success after the uphill battles I’ve gone through. Once I came to terms with these struggles and how they define us, it made making and storing memories that much more sentimental.
So, with that being said, drop the negative attitude, get to work, enjoy the experiences that you were given and that you worked for, and see what the world will give you in return. For me, it was nothing but an amazing first half of my senior year at SUNY Cortland.