{"id":807,"date":"2025-04-16T12:42:13","date_gmt":"2025-04-16T17:42:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/?p=807"},"modified":"2025-04-16T12:53:38","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T17:53:38","slug":"the-final-chapter-lessons-from-my-college-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/2025\/04\/16\/the-final-chapter-lessons-from-my-college-journey\/","title":{"rendered":"The Final Chapter: Lessons from My College Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By: Angel Molekunnel, Manning School of Business Well-being Leader<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part 1: Advice to my freshman year self, 4 years ago<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dear Angel,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is one piece of advice I could give you, I would divide it into personal and professional lessons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personal advice: This is your life, not theirs. You are the author of your own story. If you constantly worry about what others think when you ask a question in class, you are living for them, not yourself. If you fear going to social events alone because of judgment, you will never know what experiences you are missing. Live boldly, embrace discomfort, and step into opportunities without hesitation. If something will not matter in 24 hours, do it,and stop overthinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, join different clubs. Try cheer, jiu-jitsu, pickleball\u2014explore everything. These opportunities are free and could turn into hobbies or talents that enrich your life. As John F. Kennedy once said, “The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.” Keep yourself engaged and growing because staying busy with purpose is key to fulfillment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professional advice: Make connections with professionals early. Take what you learn in class and turn it into tangible content for your resume or personal portfolio. If you lack internship or work experience, leverage your academic projects. Your knowledge and skills have value\u2014use them to bridge the gap and land your dream career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Part 2: The Top 3 Moments That Defined My College Experience<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If I could, I would list 100+ moments that transformed my life in college. But here are three that truly stand out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winning the Well-Being Champion and MLK Unsung Hero Awards:<\/em><\/strong>
<\/em><\/strong>I was honored for something I truly cared about\u2014reproductive health and sexual wellness. Pick something you are passionate about and work towards it. One day, your dedication will be recognized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Donahue Ducks:<\/em><\/strong>
<\/em><\/strong>On the first day of college, during an online orientation breakout session, I was placed in a room with all guys and one girl. I messaged her privately to acknowledge how awkward it felt, and that message turned into a four-year-long friendship. Through her, I met seven more incredible people, and we became the Donahue Ducks, named after our dorm. Find your people\u2014they will make college unforgettable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Becoming SGA Vice President:<\/em><\/strong>
<\/em><\/strong>I never thought I could reach a leadership role. Growing up, I was bullied and struggled with self-doubt. I never imagined standing in front of crowds or making an impact. But I changed that narrative by attending club meetings alone, speaking up, and sharing my opinions. One step at a time, I grew into leadership, and before I knew it, I was asked to be SGA Vice President. This role gave me the platform to advocate for what I cared about. To those who supported me\u2014SGA advisors, the president, my e-board, and the entire team\u2014thank you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Part 3: The Bittersweet Reality of Graduating: What No One Tells You About Senior Year<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Senior year can be rough. The home stretch is here\u2014you can either finish strong or coast to the end. My advice? Maintain the same momentum. Get straight A\u2019s for yourself<\/em>, not for anyone else. You can change your entire GPA in one semester\u2014lock in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jobs: If you don\u2019t have a full-time job or internship lined up, it\u2019s okay. Make sure your resume and LinkedIn are polished, apply daily, and expand your network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you graduate, here are five things to keep in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Embrace the Moment<\/strong>
    College flies by. Find a balance between social life and academics. Make time for friends, but don\u2019t lose sight of your goals.<\/li>
  2. Start Thinking About Life After College<\/strong>
    You don\u2019t need all the answers now, but start planning. What industries interest you? Where do you want to live? Reflect on your next steps.<\/li>
  3. Polish Your Resume and Online Presence<\/strong>
    Have someone proofread your resume. Add achievements. Update LinkedIn. Remember, networking is key.<\/li>
  4. Leverage Your Connections<\/strong>
    Reach out to professors and mentors before leaving. Solidify these relationships, as they can help you in the future.<\/li>
  5. Express Gratitude and Say Farewell<\/strong>
    Take a moment to thank those who made an impact, including friends, professors, even the campus staff. A simple \u201cthank you\u201d goes a long way.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \n\n\n\n

    Part 4: A Letter to UMass Lowell<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Dear UMass Lowell,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As I prepare to walk across the stage, I reflect on the journey that brought me here. When I first arrived, I was filled with excitement, uncertainty, and hope. Now, as I prepare to say goodbye, I leave with gratitude, confidence, and lifelong memories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Thank you for being more than just an institution\u2014I found a home here. From classrooms filled with inspiring lessons to late-night study sessions fueled by caffeine and laughter, every moment has shaped me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To my professors, thank you for your guidance, patience, and passion. You saw potential in me before I saw it in myself. Your lessons went beyond textbooks; you taught me resilience, critical thinking, and the power of continuous learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To my friends, thank you for being my support system. The deep conversations, spontaneous adventures, and simple moments turned into lifelong memories. College can be overwhelming, but having people to lean on made all the difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To the opportunities that shaped me, thank you. UMass Lowell gave me the space to grow personally and professionally. Leadership roles, internships, research projects, and networking events all pushed me beyond my comfort zone and helped me discover my strengths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What will I miss the most? The sense of belonging. There\u2019s something special about walking through campus and seeing familiar faces, feeling the energy of students striving for success, and sharing the pride of being a River Hawk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As I leave UMass Lowell, I do so with immense gratitude and a heart full of memories. This is not just a goodbye\u2014it\u2019s a see you later.<\/em> No matter where life takes me, I will always be proud to say that I am a UMass Lowell graduate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    With love and gratitude,
    Angel Molekunnel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    References: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Valley City State University. (n.d.). 5 things to do before graduation. Valley City State University.<\/em> https:\/\/www.vcsu.edu\/5-things-to-do-before-graduation\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    By: Angel Molekunnel, Manning School of Business Well-being Leader Part 1: Advice to my freshman year self, 4 years ago Dear Angel, If there is one piece of advice I could give you, I would divide it into personal and … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1518,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/807"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1518"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=807"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/807\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":811,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/807\/revisions\/811"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=807"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=807"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=807"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}