Farewell UB

Well, this is it. In exactly 2 weeks I will be a college graduate. I'll receive my diploma, and my "college experience" will officially be over. It seems like yesterday I was walking across the stage of Randallstown High School, and now almost 5 years later here I am, done with COLLEGE. I've had a lot of fun times throughout my undergraduate years, some of which I dont wish to reminisce about lol...but I've met a lot of great people along the way, taken some interesting classes, and more importantly learned about myself as an individual in the process. The growth itself took some getting used to; I wanted desperately to be like everybody else, when it was apparent that I was different. Wow, I really can not believe I'm about to be done with my undergraduate career. Its rather bittersweet, you know; on the one hand I'm excited to be accomplishing this milestone in my life while on the other hand, the "real" world is a few steps away. I mean, I worked my way through school to pay tuition and other bills, but it seems surreal. I started my undergraduate career at Mount Saint Mary's University, where I ran track with some awesome people, and thought that I would graduate from there. The school itself was amazing, but I wasn't focused because of the "college life"-drinking, parties during the week, it was crazy. Then I transferred to UB in 2006 and my life did an entire 360-degree turn. Not only were there no campus parties, but I was back home living with my parents! But UB wasn't the traditional college setting either-when I started, UB was still a 2-year school, and there weren't many students my age. I was 20 years old sitting in a classroom full of people 25 and older-I was a baby. But it worked because I was able to learn from other people's experiences, and also mature in the process. So, in my opinion UB was the "umph" I needed to jumpstart my growth process from a girl into a woman. And by no means am I done, because I'm learning everyday, but I thank God for the experience, and all of the wonderful people I've come in contact with, from the professors, to students, and staff/faculty. So, as I say farewell to UB, I encourage any underclassmen, and even graduate students to embrace UB and all it has to offer. Its come a long way since I've started, and I am proud to graduate from such a wonderful school with an environment that fostered my growth.

Farewell UB......