The End of an Era

Everyone looks forward to their senior year of college. This marked the final ending of my college life. My friends and I had so much we were looking forward too, such as parties, homecoming, tailgates, cookouts, birthdays, and graduation. My classes were not too bad, and I was able to attend our homecoming concert as well as different tailgates. I remember having so much fun with my friends that day. I also got to reconnect with people I hadn’t seen in months. In December, my friend turned 22. She had her celebration at a cabin in north Georgia. This was my first cabin trip, and it was a great girl’s trip. Drinking wine, playing games, and eating delicious snacks were all we needed. The fall semester was a fun year, and imagined spring semester would be even better.

Once the spring semester arrived, I was excited because it was like my last semester being on campus. Although I was not graduating in the spring, I wanted to make as many memories with my friends before we all went different ways. The main event we were all looking forward too was the Mint Gala. The Kennesaw Activities Board (KAB) and Mint Productions were putting on a mental health awareness event in February. Students wore formal attire as they learned about mental health. Everyone looked stunning. Girls were complimenting each other left and right. Men were looking sharp with their suits. It was a night I will never forget.

Some of my other plans I was looking forward to in the spring semester was my birthday, another girl’s night, and possibly reconnecting with old friends. My birthday was in April, so I knew I had time to decide. Towards the end of February and early March, the cases of Covid-19 became apparent in the United States. There was a lot of confusion and speculation. There were rumors about school shutting down. I never thought that was going to happen, but it did. KSU told all the students to go home around mid-March and that classes would be conducted virtually for the rest of the year. During this semester, I was already taking three online classes. I did not know what to expect with having five classes conducted virtually. The two classes I was taking in person, were heavily group project focused, and I knew it was going to be rough completing the remainder of the semester. However, I survived because I finished the semester will all A’s and one B.

I was pretty much in quarantine since I was doing school virtually. My parents were considered high risk because of health conditions, so we took it seriously. For my birthday, my brother was not even allowed to come to the house to celebrate. It was not a birthday I imagined, but I was grateful to be alive. I never knew when I would see friends again. Everything was being canceled, including spring graduation. I was supposed to be celebrating my friend’s graduation on Cinco De Mayo, but that never happened. Restaurants were closed and we were told to social distance. There were times where I hadn’t even been outside or in a car. I think it taught me to be grateful for everything I had. In June, I was finally able to reunite with many of my friends for Juneteenth. Two of my other friends, along with me, are set to graduate this upcoming July. I am having a Gatsby themed dinner, and I am hoping we can still have it.

Although I was expecting to do a lot for my senior semester, I learned that life is unpredictable. Everything will not always go as planned. It has been challenging to get a job because of the economy. However, I continue to stay positive. I never thought I would end my college experience in March, but I have enjoyed my time at KSU. I have stepped outside of my comfort zone and made memories that will last a lifetime. My advice to anyone beginning college is to have fun, make experiences, study, and know that life is not perfect. As I wrap up my last few weeks of summer classes, I am grateful for these blog assignments. It’s allowed me to reflect and document my experience so others can know more about me. Thank you, KSU, for all the memories!