The Online Reflector

By Abby Adragna
Editor-in-Chief

As I sit here writing this farewell article and trying to decide what life advice I might dispense to underclassmen, I’m left wondering if I’m really the person who should be handing out advice. In all honesty, there is a good chance I am leaving the University of Indianapolis feeling more confused and lost than I felt when I entered as a freshman. That is not to say I haven’t learned anything or grown as a person—because I undoubtedly have—but I can’t even pretend to have it all figured out.

During my four years at UIndy, I’ve worked hard to excel academically. I’ve been involved on campus with The Reflector, the writing lab and athletics. I’ve basically continued down my straight and narrow path toward a bright future. And still, I find myself in a rut of utter uncertainty. The past 17 years of my life have been carefully planned around some sort of academic institution, but now I’m about to enter a wide-open world where the next step is no longer clearly drawn. And while it’s surely an exciting leap, it’s also extremely terrifying.

But if I’ve learned anything over the past four years, it’s that I’m not alone in my confusion. No matter how straight or winding their paths, most college students stumble upon a rut or two at some point. And very few—if any—can confidently say that they’ve got everything figured out. That’s what makes college such a unique time in a person’s life; it’s really the last time most people will be surrounded by so many individuals in their age group who are dealing with similar feelings, decisions and frustrations. So I would advise underclassmen to take advantage of that. Lean on those people who understand the ups and downs in your life, and offer a shoulder when they desperately need someone who can relate to theirs. If you’re lucky, many of the people you meet in college will become some of the best friends you will ever have.

That’s what I’ve come to understand recently—the people you encounter and the meaningful relationships you build are what really matter. Going to class, completing assignments and maintaining a decent G.P.A. are all important if you want to be able to support yourself in the future . . . But that won’t mean a thing if you have no one to share your future experiences with.

While I’d like to say I have no regrets about my time at UIndy, I won’t lie. My main regret is that I stayed inside my comforting, straight-laced bubble for far too long. I’ve always been one to sacrifice personal enjoyment for academic success and athletic achievement. So it wasn’t until the middle of my junior year that I took off the blinders and realized I wasn’t really living. I finally figured out that it’s possible to maintain a high G.P.A. and perform well athletically while still enjoying myself outside the classroom and the athletic arena. In fact, I realized that it is necessary to take a break from all the pressure every once in a while.

With that realization, I’ve been able to take advantage of a multitude of opportunities to relax, have fun and connect with some amazing people during this final year of my college experience, and that really has been invaluable. And while I wish I’d opened up much sooner, I’m grateful for all the experiences I’ve been able to pack into this single year. I can’t say it’s been a year without trial, but I’ve learned not to take anyone or anything for granted. I’ve learned that it takes some people longer to learn that. I’ve learned that people will sometimes let you down, but you shouldn’t dwell on the let downs because people will surprise you, too. I’ve learned that selflessness can go a long way. And I’ve learned that even though you can’t always see what lies ahead, it’s important to keep moving forward with faith.

As graduation looms and I become nostalgic, I can’t help wondering how I got here so fast. Wasn’t I just in kindergarten learning to skip and jump? And now here I am about to leap into the future we’ve always been preparing for. I guess time really does fly, so don’t waste it. Go out and meet people, really get to know them, get involved, have fun, make mistakes and learn from them. And don’t worry if you haven’t figured it all out. You’re not alone.