PNC Arena was filled with 8,565 students on May 9, 2015 for spring commencement." />
Kai F. McNeil
PNC Arena was filled with 8,565 students on May 9, 2015 for spring commencement.
With graduation less than two weeks away, the NC State community is learning to say goodbye to its graduating class.
Seniors often play an important role in helping younger students acclimate to college, learn how to balance their time and excel in the classroom.
I sat down with a group of graduating seniors and asked different questions about their lives here at NC State and what advice they have for underclassmen.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” said Morgan McNeil, a senior studying environmental sciences. “When I was debating changing majors, I felt like I was quitting. But my advisor said the only person I was holding back was myself.”
Even advice as simple as a change of basic routine can greatly improve a student’s life.
“Get some sleep. No, seriously, a lot of the time you are stressed out or feel bad because you haven’t got enough sleep recently and your health is important,” said Mackenzie Dougherty, a senior studying electrical and computer engineering. “I didn’t get the grasp of that until this year, and it has paid off quite a bit.”
Other seniors stressed the importance of keeping up a good GPA.
“Be as involved as possible and have a blast, but remember to keep your GPA in good shape. Once you lose it, it is hard to get it back,” said Melissa Blackman, a senior studying accounting. “Even though grades aren’t the only measure of intelligence, good ones can open a lot of doors for you.”
The seniors reflected on their collegiate accomplishments, describing what they were most proud of doing during their college career.
“[I was most proud of] finishing my first year,” said Michael Anderson, a senior studying business administration. “Once second semester finals were over, I felt unstoppable.”
Many seniors had so many proud moments that picking a specific one was difficult.
“Honestly, I can’t pick just one. But, my favorite to tell was when I was convinced to try out for marching band and ended up making it,” said Chloe Lockyer, a senior studying fashion and textile management. “After my audition I ran out of Price and screamed, scaring the couple walking by. I then went on to be a rank and section leader during my time in the band.”
Along with their proudest moments, they also had their biggest regrets.
“I regret not attending more campus-sponsored social events, like the cool festivals and concerts on campus,” Blackman said. “I was always too busy because of my part-time job or studying, and I feel like I missed out.”
Not taking advantage of what the university has to offer seemed to be a common theme.
“I regret not doing Study Abroad while in college,” Dougherty said. “Although I traveled both internationally and domestically, it was never for long, and I think it would have been a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
The seniors also shared their favorite aspects of NC State.
“My favorite part about NC State is that although we have different campuses, I feel that we can stay in contact with those that aren’t in our major really easily,” Dougherty said. “This has also led to me learning about more opportunities and getting to meet other kinds of people that I usually would not.”
Many referenced diversity while describing their favorite parts.
“This area of North Carolina is already known as a melting pot of sorts,” Anderson said. “All of the different people with different backgrounds and different interests/majors really makes the campus feel alive, so I would say the diversity.”
Perhaps the most important thing the seniors stressed was how important it was to help others.
“Always take the opportunity to help others around you, even as a college student. Work at a soup kitchen. Buy the homeless man a slice of pizza,” Anderson said. “Help your friend with whatever school/life issues they may be facing. You will never regret it.”
Overall, the seniors discussed feelings of independence during their college years. They stressed how this time should be full of experimenting, adjusting and learning because you will never be as free as you are now.
“Do as much as you can while you’re still in college. Go to every free event. Go spend time with friends. Go do something ridiculous,” Lockyer said. “You won’t remember the times you studied, but you will remember the great times you had.”