Reflecting: Plans after college

I still have not accepted that fact that in just 8 short days, I will be graduating.  As many hard times I went through with my health, I’m really going to miss this place. These past two weeks all I have been able to think about is that these are some of the last times, I am going to walk on this beautiful campus, attend some of these sorority events, live in this tiny apartment, and be so close to my sorority sisters and friends. 

One of the hardest things for me to grasp is that this is the last time I will ever live in a place like this. Never again will I live in a place where I am  in walking distance of all of my closest friends.  All the things are really starting to hit me.  I won’t be able to just  stop by one of my friends houses or run into my sisters and friends just walking to class.  Cleaning out my room has been so hard and not just because I have so much stuff, but because I have lived here for two years now.  The walls of this tiny bedroom have become a vision I will never forget.  With the amount of time I have spent in this bed, staring at the same walls, I could probably tell you every mark and imperfection on each wall.  Although I will not miss looking at the same view, it has become something very monumental to me. Not to mention that I cannot help, but think that these are some of the last times that I will walk around this beautiful campus that I have completely fell in love with. 

 Last Sunday my sorority had senior send offs as one of the events to say goodbye to all the seniors.  While I was sitting there listening to the letters written by the parents of the graduating seniors and other sisters, it really hit me.... this is one of the last times I will be in one location with all these amazing girls in one single location. I couldn't help but to look around at all my sisters thinking where everyone will end up after college and whether or not we will keep in touch.  As I looked around at all of my sisters in there letters, I flashed back to all of the amazing women that have shared these exact letters in the past four years.  I am so blessed to have found such a wonderful group of girls who have become my family and support system while I was at college. I have learned so much from this organization, and had so many amazing memories with these girls that it is so hard for me to let go.    

Now here I am 8 days away from graduating, and taking it all in. In this past year I have grown so much and become so much stronger.  I have learned how to be a fighter and I have made progress with my treatment. I have accomplished so many things and now it is time for me to start my next chapter.   For most college grads, the last semester is spent applying to grad school or jobs, so their post graduate plans will already be set into place.  Ever since my freshman  year, this has been my plan as well.   Instead of finding a job that will lead to my future career path, I plan on moving back at home and working part time.   For right now, I am just going to focus on my health and complete my treatment before heading out into the real world.  I am dying to get out there, and find a job to use the degree that I have fought and worked so hard for, but I am still in no shape to do that right now.  Although I am going to be so down when I leave this place, I will be so close to my family who are my biggest support system. 

It has been so hard for me to think about letting go of the place that I have lived in the past four years, saying goodbye to my close friends, and starting a new chapter.  I can truly say that I left a part of my heart here.