Dear Younger Self: Reflecting on Our Time at Elon
More likely than not, we have all heard someone in a nostalgic tone say the classic “back in my day” before proceeding to reminisce about their younger years. For those of us graduating this May and preparing for the next phase of our lives, this just might be a good opportunity to do the same. Take a moment to reflect on all you have accomplished, overcome and experienced from the time your younger self arrived on campus until now as you prepare to pack up one final time and say your goodbyes.
Whether you recall the moments of interrupted laughter, the hurdles conquered, the skill you finally honed or the beautiful friendships you formed along the way, it’s important to acknowledge and give yourself credit for making it through — not to mention while also facing a global pandemic.
Several graduating students here at Elon were willing to share some of their personal thoughts and reflections on their college years with us at The Edge, and they offered advice for their younger selves and the students who will follow behind them.
If senior Sadie Williamson was able to tell her younger self one thing about where she is today and how she has grown, she would say "We have grown into an independent, confident and strong-willed woman, and I can’t believe everything we have accomplished and done these past four years. I know we came here wanting to be a journalism major, but we found our passion for art and design and have created amazing work along the way.”
Williamson would also offer the advice to “not be afraid and to take risks. Elon has so many amazing programs and organizations. There are so many ways to get involved, and I wish I were less afraid to put myself out there.”
Morgan Mebane, another senior who will be graduating this upcoming May, shared that she would tell her younger self, “We did it, we are in the last semester of college, with a beautiful baby girl, and have solidified a job post-grad.” Mebane offered advice for new students embarking on their college journey, “to not stress, it’s college, it's okay to still be figuring it out. Just follow your gut and your passion. Take the risk, and don’t be scared because it can lead to new opportunities.”
One final piece of advice is offered from senior Katie Everitt, who wishes she could tell her younger self but hopes will help others to “Join as many clubs and organizations on and off campus as possible. We have so many opportunities available for us here at Elon that can prepare us for internships, jobs and other experiences. We won’t have this much support and that many opportunities within such a small radius of us once this chapter of our lives is over.”
Although we will all reflect upon our own unique memories that shaped our adventure here at Elon, we as a class and a community will forever be bonded by the reality that our time here, regardless of how we spent it, shaped us in some form or another.
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