As graduation slowly creeps upon us it’s always nice to reflect on the past four years I’ve spent at SUNY Cortland.
At this point looking back college wasn’t just school, textbooks, lectures, and all of that it was more about the life lessons throughout that you learn. From the late night talks and laughs when you should be doing school work but just putting it off instead, to now winding down knowing that it’ll all be over in a blink of an eye. As all of us seniors prepare to walk the stage again, I want to take this time to look back to reflect and really soak it in.
Originally when I first came here I was a nervous wreck, not knowing what to do or how to meet new friends. Luckily I had a friend from home here that helped me with that process. It was still a rough process to go through, again this was something very new and fresh and I didn’t know how to handle that since I was like everyone else so comfortable at home. Senior Ryan Hartman here at Cortland briefly spoke about when he first moved in by stating, “It was a culture shock for sure, I never really experienced something so stressful but exciting at the same time. If I could I would definitely go back and do it again, freshman year was the best.”
After that phase of being fresh and following my freshman year there were things that made me realize this isn’t all that bad. Every semester got easier and easier to move back and eventually I would rather be here than home, from missing all the friends I consider family today. Senior Derek Tudman relates by saying, “The friends you make at college are like family, people you’ll never not be in touch with. At least in my case I’m sure if I were to see one of my friends that graduated a year prior we would pick up right where we left off.”
The best part of Cortland was the social life. Going out with all of your friends and having a night you may remember or find out from someone else what transpired. Originally Stone Lounge was the place to go until it was shut down, from then on it’s been Dark Horse. Allowing all of my friends and I to really make the most of the end of our collegiate careers together.
For the moments I’ve struggled and was finding it hard to try to get out of that rut, I found it easiest to do so when I had my friends and family by my side. Whether they knew I was going through a hard time or not, getting out and hanging out with the people I needed most really boosted me out of some of my lowest points.
Advice for the new kids coming to Cortland. When your parents finally drop you off and you’re all alone and you feel that anxious feeling. Accept the feeling because it is only normal, the roommate that met you a few hours prior watching you move in or vice versa they’re feeling the same thing. Enjoy every step along the way because as cliche as it sounds it goes quick. I was once the kid that was counting down the days to when I was going to graduate so long ago. Now I’m the kid that doesn’t want to leave and that regrets even thinking that.
As I look at the next chapter, it’s nuts knowing how this part of my life has to come to an end. This school wasn’t just a place where I went to get my degree and move onto the next step in life, this school and place became my home. Whenever I come through this city I feel it’ll feel like I never left. THANK YOU SUNY CORTLAND.