Advice from a Senior Transfer Student

Being a college student is hard and knowing that you are graduating soon is even harder. I had always imagined that I would spend all four years at the same college and follow the traditional college student path. However, looking back on my first year of college at a different institution and finishing out my three-year experience at Merrimack College, there are so many things that I wish I knew as I look back on my experience and plan to graduate in less than 4 months. 

1. Do what makes you happy and not what others are doing: So if you want to go to the RA(Resident Advisor) event making succulents or decorating water bottles, you should go. Instead of being too afraid to go because none of your friends want to go, go on your own and make more friends. My biggest regret is that I didn’t take advantage of all of the free activities to engage with new people on campus. This way when I walk around campus I have another friendly face to share a smile with and hopefully make them feel a little happier as well as myself. 
2. Join clubs: Once again you might be afraid to do it alone, but I joined Relay for Life and Orientation all on my own and I am happy to say I have made some of the best friends I can imagine from those groups. Going to Merrimack College is not just an investment in your academics but also in yourself. By joining clubs you’re networking and building bonds that could last a lifetime. Often we live in fear about what others will think of us doing new clubs and organizations, but instead, I think that it’s important to note that those people are just as afraid to jump out of their comfort zone. Seeing someone that they trust to do it with confidence could be the catalyst that allows them to follow suit. 
3. Take care of yourself: Maybe you don’t feel like going out and you fear you’re going to get FOMO or your friends are not going to like you. Instead, it’s doing the opposite, you’re allowing yourself to mentally recharge and prepare yourself to engage in real and meaningful interactions with friends, furthering those connections for the future. If your friends try to pressure you or take steps back from your friendship, then they are not your friends. But in most cases, your friends will understand and appreciate the effort you are putting into yourself and the bonds you have with them. 
4. Focus on your real friends: It’s so easy to get caught up in trying to make everyone happy but your real friends will be the ones that keep coming back to you and checking in to see if you are okay. Friends don’t judge you, instead, they’ll notice when you’re off and check in with you to make sure you’re okay instead of expecting you to hide it. If you feel the need to hide your emotions because you are trying to move past those feelings, then your real friends will notice that and focus on trying to make the fake smiles real by making funny jokes or silly gestures you weren’t expecting. Also, sometimes we are quick to write off a friend because of one thing that bothers us but it’s important that friendships are two-sided. As long as you are there for each other it will be a bond that will last a lifetime. 
5. Finally, enjoy your last year: It’s been a long day and you don’t want to go to Augies, don’t go or go. Maybe ending a long day surrounded by friends or new friends is exactly what you need or maybe you need to have eight pillows and a blanket with your favorite TV show playing. Simply put, do what makes YOU happy! At the end of your time at college, you’ll be working and unable to take a nap after your 9 am class because you’ll be working all day. Go to the campus events, despite how stupid they may seem, because work won’t be holding Merrimack-style Dancing with the Stars, Augiechella, Macktoberfest, tailgates, etc. Just enjoy your last couple of months with your friends. 

Overall, this is just to say do what makes you happy and surround yourself with the people who will make you happy because you have your life ahead of you, but only a portion is left at Merrimack. While we all love to complain about Merrimack, it is a truly special place where when you work hard enough you’ll find your people and your true self and it’s quite beautiful.

• college
• senior
• transfer