We’re only two weeks outside of Commencement ceremonies here at UT Arlington, and graduation fever is in the air. From the banners that have been hung on campus congratulating our graduates to the aches and groans of final exams, there’s something electric about the end of the spring semester that makes you feel nostalgic. It’s one of the reasons I love working on a college campus – I continually relive all my favorite memories of being a college student every single day.
One of our tour guides dropped by my office earlier to tell me about an event last night with her sorority on campus. As part of Senior Week, all the women in the chapter gathered at their house and shared their favorite memories about the seniors – the night was full of funny stories, meaningful moments, struggles, triumphs, hugs and tears. In just a week, all the seniors will become alumnae of the chapter and will have to close a door on all the memories they’ve lived as collegiate members. Graduation is such a bittersweet time – a time to celebrate the past four years and look forward to the next part of the journey.
With all the graduation buzz, I started thinking about the college decision and how selecting the right school is as important to your future career as it is to developing you as a person. As much as you can select a college or university for its rankings, reputation, and academic programs, you must also factor in where you envision yourself during the last few weeks of your college career. What do you want your graduation week to be like? What will you remember about your four years at the university you select?
Here is my opinion – you should want to surround yourself in a place that will provide you enough memories and find a group of people to connect with in a way that lasts a lifetime. And this is why the campus visit is so very important when selecting a college or university (you knew it was coming…)! As much as we send you brochures to help you learn about UT Arlington, you meet our admissions counselors out on the road, or you check our website, no one knows UT Arlington better than current students – come meet them and hear their stories about what they experience on campus. Ask them to envision their own graduation week and see what kinds of stories you get! Campus tours happen every Monday through Friday at 9AM, 10AM, 1PM and 2PM – registration is online at www.uta.edu/admissions/visit. We cannot accurately capture our Maverick Family and the vibe of campus on our website or in a brochure – you’ll have to experience that for yourself.
One last thing – a musical artist named Vitamin C came out with a song in 2000 called “Graduation – Friends Forever”. I had only been in college for a year when this song came out, and I used to bawl my eyes out whenever I heard it (freshmen year was a little emotional for some of us…). I listen to it once a year just to remember all the fun memories from my four years of high school and college. Imagine my surprise to see current comments on its You Tube video celebrating the Class of 2011! If you’ve never heard the song, check it out here: Vitamin C – Graduation Song
Congratulations to all the Class of 2011 graduates out there – especially to three of our own MavElite that are ending their journey at UT Arlington and moving on to the next best thing. We’ll miss you Kayla, Maria and Salvador!
Until next time,
Brittney
