By Kaleigh Werner
When I first came to George Washington University, my life looked so different. My priorities, dreams, and ideas were nowhere close to where they are now.
Time feels different when you’re just about to embark on this journey; knowing that D.C. is going to be your home for the next four years and having the safety net of being a student. But when you come down to your last three weeks, time begins to feel like it can’t move faster and the net begins to loosen. If you told me I would be where I am now, I would not believe you, and I recognize that is very cliche to say. It just couldn’t be more true. Possibilities feel endless, and all that stress and pressure you think you should feel as graduation approaches doesn’t seem as important. Days are precious and these moments are so special you prioritize having experiences because that is what you want to think when you look back at the end.
But how it feels to be a senior isn’t the point of this article, the last article I will write for The GW Local. I am writing this for you; all of you students that are just coming up on your last weeks of your freshman, sophomore or junior year. I have a message I want to give you, and if you listen, when you’re a senior, you will feel the abundance of love that I do for the craziness of what happened in the last four years of being a GW student. So here it goes…
Be present. Focus on only what each day is going to bring and do that for every day after. Don’t look too far into the future or wish for time to go faster. Hard times and small dramas can seem like they will never end, so, try and center yourself in each hour. Being a college student is one of the best experiences, and trusting that every situation will play out how it should is all you can do.
Growth is inevitable. Understand that your growth will show a little more each year, so long as you accept the direction you are going in and work to learn from mistakes that led you down paths you didn’t want to go.
Listen to your existing passions, but also be open to new ones that will emerge from discussions with your roommates, friends, classmates, and professors.
Trust yourself when it comes to navigating relationships. Never spend time or energy on ones that don’t feel right or don’t make you feel good about who you are or are becoming. Social lives are subjective – you don’t need to have one that looks exactly how you think a “college one” should, but also don’t be afraid to do something out of your comfort zone.
Lastly… it’s okay, everything is going to be okay, you are okay; don’t be so hard on yourself. Whatever is going on and whatever has happened is all a part of the journey that will be full of amazing memories.
Before I go, I wanted to say thank you to all of you. The GW Local has not only allowed me to find the creative outlet I needed, but also my passion and a community of incredible people that have kept me grounded through it all. This has been a platform for me to express myself and sharing that with the GW community has made me feel so much closer to it.
Here are some other messages from the graduating class of 2022:
“Don’t put so much pressure on yourself, because no matter what, you always are going to feel behind on things, so being kind to yourself and knowing that you’re doing the best you can is what has kept me sane!” ~ Parisa Akbarpour
“My biggest lesson I learned during the past four years is to learn the things that fill your cup up and actually take the time to do them. Even when things get super busy and stressful, self care should be a priority and allows you to fully show up in your classes, friendships, jobs, etc. For example, I know that journaling regularly, drinking enough water and eating regular meals, and spending quality time with myself are some of the things that keep me sane and make me my best self in all aspects of my life. You owe it to yourself to make sure you are thriving and not just surviving! Show yourself the love and care you deserve through tangible actions.” ~ Maya Konings
“Looking back, it doesn’t feel like it has been four years. It seems like I was just in high school getting ready to go off to school. In college, we learn not just in our classes, but we learn about ourselves by living on our own for the first time. There have been many moments in the past four years that I’ve struggled, but I’ve learned so much about myself through it. I learned how to not put too much pressure on myself. There are so many opportunities in college in terms of classes, friends, extracurriculars and career opportunities. It’s okay to not have an internship every semester or be involved in six clubs. It’s also okay to not know where you’re going after college. Through school, we discover ourselves and how our skills can be applicable to different careers and industries. By giving yourself the grace to do only what you need, you can find the right opportunities that are best for you.” ~ Carly Novell
“You don’t always have to have the “traditional” college experience to have a good college experience. How you want to spend your four years is up to you. If sports, greek life, parties and other “traditional” college things aren’t for you, feel empowered to curate a lifestyle that suits your needs!” ~ Lauren Ofman
“Looking back on my time at GW, there are definitely a few things I wish I knew when I was a wee freshman entering my first year.
Tip #1) To start, make sure you check your holds on Banweb BEFORE class registration! I’ve made this rookie mistake not once, but twice, and it has prevented me from getting the classes I’ve wanted.
Tip #2) Use the Metro! I just recently became a regular on the Metro and it has saved me a pretty penny. I wish I would have hopped on this train (literally) sooner.
Tip #3) Find a coffee shop near campus to study at! I frequently studied at Gelman, Marvin, and Milken my first two years, but sometimes it’s nice to get off campus and find someplace new. I recommend Mercy Me, For Five, Paul, or Capital One Cafe in Georgetown. This leads me to…
Tip #4) Escape the “Foggy Bottom Bubble!” I wish I would have ventured off of campus sooner to try new restaurants, see new sights, and explore new places.
Tip #5) Find a professor you REALLY connect with! For me, that professor was Lori Peters, and I know I can approach her with questions about school, life, and my future.
Tip #6) Don’t spend money on textbooks unless you know you absolutely have to for the class, or try and find it online first! I’ve made this mistake a few too many times where I’ve bought a textbook that I’ve opened twice the entire semester. (Z Library is KEY)Tip #7) Take time for YOU!!!! Going to a school like GW, it can feel like a lot of pressure to fit a certain mold and most of us pack on more to our schedules than we can handle. Between school, work, a social life and sleep, it can often feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day. Set aside some “me” time for yourself when you really need it.” ~ Krista Minas
“Change is the only constant, and that’s a good thing. Your environment, community, friends, interests, goals, your sense of self and many more will evolve as you grow. No one could have prepared me for what it was like to move to a new city at 18 years old and be newly responsible for every aspect of life. But that’s okay because everyone is on their own individual journey. It’s important to dip your toes in different things early on so that you can carve your own path, and don’t ever be afraid to change direction with anything at any time. There is no rulebook, no script, no set path. It is important to make your OWN decisions about what is best for YOU. In the constantly moving and stimulating environment of campus, it is crucial to take time for yourself and take care of yourself. Your mental and physical health should always come first. You won’t be efficient on gallons of caffeine and no food or sleep. Your personal growth is just as if not more important than your academic growth, and they are also intertwined. There will be times when things feel unstable and unsure–personally and academically–but you WILL get through it. Things will always align the way they need to, just try to be present and have gratitude for it all.” ~ Zoe Manor
“The GW Local was my little slice of campus life. While it wasn’t the only campus organization that I was a part of, it was the one that I stuck with the longest. The best advice I can offer to incoming students is to get involved in more than one organization on campus. Keep yourself busy so that your free time, and the time you spend with friends is special. I think it’s safe to say my college experience has been unconventional and living at home while school was online made the distance feel even greater. I kicked myself for not being a part of more on campus and while I wouldn’t trade what I did have for anything, being a part of more than one organization on campus would have only enhanced my college experience. Meetings with the Local were my favorite part of the week. I learned so much during my time on the site about fellow writers, things happening on and around campus, and how to become a stronger writer. My experience with the Local was invaluable and I am eternally grateful.” ~ Sophia Sasson
“You will always remember the concert you went to on a Wednesday night but you probably won’t remember the extra 5% on a quiz that you stayed in to study for. Remember that you’re not only here to learn skills but you are also here to grow, learn about yourself, and make valuable relationships. Try and get out of Foggy Bottom. D.C. has a lot to offer and most of it won’t be right next door. Very few people get to go to school or live in such an awesome city in their lifetime so cherish your time here.” ~ Nelson Brown
