As I await my impending graduation from SUNY Cortland, I can’t help but reflect on the whirlwind journey that has been my college experience. With less than 50 days until commencement, each year of my time here flashes before my eyes like chapters in a book, each presenting its own set of challenges, triumphs, and unforgettable moments.
Freshman year hit me like a tidal wave. Walking through campus for the first time, I was overwhelmed and terrified, a spring semester transfer thrust into a sea of unfamiliar faces. Amidst the chaos of the global pandemic, everything was online, and lockdowns loomed over every aspect of campus life. My roommate, a random assignment, and I, bonded out of necessity rather than shared interests. Together, we navigated the uncharted waters of dorm life in Hendrick Hall.
Sophomore year brought a newfound sense of freedom as I moved off campus, leaving behind the confines of dormitory living for the autonomy of my own apartment on Groton Avenue. Joining Theta Chi fraternity opened doors to friendships and memories that would shape the rest of my college experience, while my job as a lifeguard at the Student Life Center became a highlight of my undergraduate years.
Junior year tested my resilience in ways I never could have anticipated. Battling mono twice, enduring a broken foot, totaling my car, and living in a ramshackle house on Lincoln Avenue held together by duct tape and super glue pushed me to my limits. Yet, I persevered, determined to weather the storm and emerge stronger on the other side.
Now, in my senior year, I find myself at the pinnacle of my college career. Turning 21 unlocked a new realm of experiences as I delved into Cortland’s nightlife. My new comfortable apartment serves as a sanctuary amidst the chaos of impending adulthood. Graduation tickets and cap and gown in hand, the bittersweet reality of leaving Cortland looms large on the horizon.
Looking back, there are certainly things I would have done differently. I would have embraced campus life more wholeheartedly, tapped into the wealth of resources Cortland offers, and perhaps entered as an undeclared freshman to explore my passions more thoroughly. Yet, there are decisions I would never change: joining Greek life, moving off campus early, and avoiding houses that rattle with every passing car.
As commencement approaches with alarming speed, I’m left with no choice but to savor the remaining weeks in Cortland. To my fellow students, current and incoming, I offer this advice: cherish every moment of your undergraduate years, for they pass in the blink of an eye. As I prepare to bid farewell to SUNY Cortland, I am filled with gratitude for the memories, lessons, and friendships that have enriched my journey, forever shaping the person I am today.