I would like to take a moment to let it be known that, on May 6th, not everyone will be celebrating. Graduation for most means a time to celebrate the commencement of four years (more for some) and a start of things yet to come. For me, though, graduation will be a day of remembrance, a day of closure for things I am not yet ready to end.

As a freshman, I was shy, quiet, and reserved. I never left the dorm to experience a college party. I stayed silent in my classes and helped people when they needed helping. I don't think I was ready then for what was in store.

I figured out that college was nothing more than a game, and, although there were no instructions, the Peer Instructors of University 100 were essentially the "cheat sheet." Learning about actual experiences from someone already enrolled was invaluable to me. When I discovered that I was nominated to become one the following year, I jumped at the chance.

Sophomore year came and went. I co-taught my first class of University 100 and loved every minute of it. Passing on the little tips I had learned was not only enjoyable, but rewarding. Even now, when I see my old students around campus, I think back to my year as a freshman and can't help but smirk at how much I've learned since then.

It was late sophomore year when I joined up with Whim as their graphic designer. When the Director was set to graduate, I was approached with the opportunity to lead Whim to higher heights. I was thrilled at the chance.

I'll never forget the first day of my junior year at RU, welcoming a field of freshmen to Radford on that hot August day outside Draper Hall. Whim was ready to begin, and, again, I had no idea what was in store for me. I did a second year with the UNIV 100 program and ran Whim too. Then, it all started happening.

It dawned on me that I would someday leave RU with so much real-life experience that it would put me ahead of any other grad. I rejoiced that I opted against VT and ODU and sat back to watch my future at Radford expand.

As a senior, I look back on the year now and glance upon the world I've been a part of-- I've become a big fish in a small pond.

I know that the world is waiting for me, but I'm just not sure if I'm ready for the world. There are so many things I feel are incomplete, so many problems I could easily fix-- if I just had a little more time...