A Thank You Letter to ODU
Thank you so much @ashleighjordynphotography for taking this photo!
As many of you know, I recently graduated from college! YAY! What a strange time in life while also being so exciting. As any big life change does, I have been reflecting on the last 4 years and all I can seem to say is thank you. A thank you to my family, my friends and of course, Old Dominion University.
College wasn’t always easy, but it has for sure left me with more to be grateful for than any negative thing that could have happened. These last 4 years have really gone by, and I still can’t quite wrap my head around the fact that it’s really over.
As I sit in my college room for the very last time, I thought I would write a thank you letter to sweet ODU. I never could quite understand why everyone puts you down because I for sure didn’t have those feelings ever since I looked up the university at the naive age of 17.
So here it is…
Dear ODU,
Where do I begin?? It’s hard to believe that 4 years have come and gone and that I am officially a college graduate. While I am excited to take on this new phase of life, I can’t help but reflect on everything college taught and who it made me.
The last 4 years of my life have not only led to the typical growing up changes. You know, like learning to budget (well…kind of lol), putting yourself out there and of course, learning how to be on your own in general. However, in addition to all those typical things you learn throughout college, I have become a person that I don’t think 18 year old me would even recognize anymore- and in a GOOD way.
Here are a few of the things that I have learned since being in college:
Explore, explore, explore…ODU, you had the benefit of a beach being nearby AND having a downtown area. I have never enjoyed exploring where I live more than all the exploring I did while at ODU. There are so many hidden gems (and obvious ones too) that have made my time outside of studying more interesting and fun!
Some things just REALLY are not a big deal…you won’t even remember that stupid fight or disagreement a year from now.
Get involved...no matter where you are in life, get involved in something. Whether it's a faith community or a book club or some group- just get involved in something and you’d be shocked to see what good it brings you.
You don’t need a huge friend group to make you happy. 1-2 amazing friends will do.
Do things for YOU. it’s okay to say no to what others are doing if it’s just simply not what you want to do.
Everything is not supposed to be perfect. I saw this quote once that said “the only way to have a good life is to accept that life is not always good,” and let me tell ya…that hit HARD. While this is not an easy mindset to achieve (it takes WORK), I feel that I am so much more content with trusting that life is going to be what it will be. I can only control so much and what is out of my control I have to let happen. When I changed my way of thinking to this, I felt so much more at peace, especially in a time when nothing seemed to be the same anymore.
…the list could go on, but I thought I’d just share some of the highlights. Like I said, the past 4 years have gone by quickly and not to mention a global pandemic chimed in too, to make things even more interesting.
I have met so many amazing people, gotten to be a part of great organizations and events and have grown into someone that I am so happy to be. I couldn’t have gotten to where I am if it weren’t for all of the experiences and opportunities I had while at ODU (even the bad moments- grateful for those too).
So thank you. Thank you for being my home away from home, and being a place (as cliché as it sounds) that makes saying goodbye hard.
I’ll be back to visit soon enough!! #RollNarchs
