Graduation: Thoughts and Feelings
As a senior, I spend roughly half of my waking hours thinking about how much I’m going to miss Vanderbilt and how imminent graduation feels. I don’t think this is an uncommon sentiment among seniors, but I thought it would be nice to reflect a bit on my thoughts and feelings as my time at Vanderbilt draws to a close.
When I first came to Vanderbilt, I wasn’t very sure of myself or confident about my decision to attend the school. I had loved it when I visited but worried that I might not be able to keep up with my peers, who all seemed so accomplished and successful. Upon my arrival, it took some time to find my place and ask for help when I needed it, but eventually I started to get into my groove.
Flash forward a few years- I had the opportunity to lead an organization about which I was extremely passionate, work at the National Institutes of Health, go abroad, meet the most amazing friends and peers, get into medical school, and learn about myself as a person. Now, I look back and I feel so enriched by my time here and privileged to have had the support networks that allowed me to grow from the insecure 17-year-old that started at Vanderbilt to the person I am today. No school is without its faults, but if I had the chance to redo my college experience, I would not trade my time at Vanderbilt for anything. While it will be difficult to say goodbye, I am confident that the next journey in my life will be made easier by the time I have spent here and the identity I have formed as an undergraduate.
Thanks for reading, and if you have any questions regarding senior year or life at Vanderbilt, feel free to contact me at alex.rains@vanderbilt.edu.