The Tumults of Saying Goodbye to College

“What will you miss most about Boston?”

Someone asked me that question the other day, and as I went to answer it, my mind played back the last four years like a movie reel before I answered with “just about everything.” 

As a 2021 class graduate, I think I can speak for all of us when I say this is not how we expected our senior year to be. Graduation is just around the corner, but instead of picking out an outfit to walk across the stage in, I’m wondering if it is worth changing out of pajamas to watch the virtual commencement with a few friends. It’s a bittersweet end to my college career, that’s for sure. 

Nearly four years ago, I got dropped off in Boston feeling a mix of excitement and fear for the future. I went through the motions of early classes, late nights, good laughs, lots of cries, and a hell of a lot of great memories. Now, I sit here writing an article reflecting on how great that time truly was, despite the obstacles that have been thrown my way. 

The last year has had its moments of great fun and great loss. But if I have learned anything this last semester, it’s that I can handle a great deal and make the most of even the bad situations. 

I’ll miss the people, the shopping, and the city life. I’ll miss the campus, sitting in a classroom, and meeting friends at random times. I’ll miss the lifestyle that comes with being alone in a new city and figuring it all out without the fret of bills and jobs and adult conversation. I’ll especially miss the miniscule gossip about who got too drunk or who missed the Uber or who’s taking who to the parties. I even think I’ll miss the late-night study sessions where people were near tears during finals week. 

I’ve already grieved the loss of my planned fun-filled senior year. I’ve dealt with the disappointment of the lack of Friday night bar crawls and spring break trips. I’ve made the best of what life threw at me and my friends this past year, and while I will probably have discontent about it for a bit, I won’t let it cloud my memories of Boston. (And to be fair, I really did enjoy the opportunities I was granted this past year.) 

I’ve learned so much about myself, others, and the world inside the classrooms (and probably even a bit more outside of them). I can’t imagine what my late teens would’ve been like without the chaos of my friend group up at school. 

I got to see new parts of the world and meet so many people in the last four years, both of which have taught me how to live an empathetic and genuine life. 

I’m not by any means done growing, and most folks say life is just beginning at 22 years old—but damn, have I lived a whole life in four years. 

On that note, I won’t lie, I feel that same bit of excitement and fear looking forward to the future that I did when my parents dropped me off in Boston. It’s a sad ending to the chapter that’s titled “Delanie Takes on the World – Well, at Least Delanie Takes on Boston.” But there are so many happy moments that fill the pages prior, that they make up for the sad goodbye.

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