My therapist recently told me that I have a “healthy attachment” to my college years. The closing of this chapter, the opening of a new one, the goodbyes, and the hellos. Returning my last textbook at the UNH Bookstore, started packing up my closet, and prepared for move-out. It has all been extremely bittersweet.
Truthfully, I am absolutely terrified to enter the real world. The prospect of having to find a real job and not having summer breaks anymore, and instead, having that void be filled with real responsibilities, makes me shudder. However, on the flip side, I am eager to see what the future brings me. I can’t wait to see where this education will take me, the people I’ll meet, and the changes that come.
I’ve learned not to dwell too much on the fact that I’m closing a chapter in my life, that I’m letting go of my college years and entering adulthood. I, of course, will miss the people I’ve met and the simpler times in my life, but I also know that no part of me would want to go back. I wouldn’t want to go back to the girl I was at 18, 19, or 20. Not that she was a terrible person, but she was young and she was still learning how to navigate herself, other people, and the world. I look back and realize how much I’ve changed and how far I’ve come. So, instead of looking back at my college years and being sad about the fact that I’ll be leaving a week from now, I’m thankful.
I’m thankful for the people it’s given me, and the memories I’ve made. All of the lessons I’ve learned, academically or life-wise. I’m thankful for the fact I was even able to pursue higher education. I’m thankful (possibly in a weird way) for all of the things over the last four years that have shaped me into the person I am today, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
All that said, I am honestly incredibly sad that this is my last ever Her Campus article. This group has given me the opportunity to write many articles over the last three years, meet so many girls, and feel a part of something. To be able to express myself through words every couple of weeks, write about whatever I’d like, and be able to share that publicly for others to read has been such a great experience. I’m so thankful for Her Campus, the HC organization at UNH, and all the girls in the group.
To the end of this chapter, I will be sad to see you go. To the next chapter, I’m excited to see what you bring me (hopefully good things, please, PLEASE).