It’s such a beautiful time of the year. You see all the birds come out, trees get their leaves and color back, and it is nice and warm outside. It’s just a great time of the year all around and the seniors of Eureka College are getting ready to put their caps and gowns on to graduate! College seniors who are about to graduate are in a unique stage in their lives. They are prepared to take on the world after studying, learning, and developing for the last four years (or more). They are eager to use their degree, whether that is beginning a new career, attending graduate school, or choosing a whole other course of action. They are ready to leave their imprint on the world and improve their neighborhoods.

Seniors in college who are about to graduate are currently dealing with a variety of difficulties. Many students are concerned about finding work that is meaningful and rewarding because the job market is competitive. Due to the high cost of living, many students find it difficult to make ends meet. Despite these difficulties, the class of graduating college seniors is a strong and dedicated bunch. They have overcome challenges in the past, whether it was a challenging class, a demanding professor, or a personal setback, and they have emerged stronger. They’ve refined their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, and they’re prepared to use them to tackle any difficulties that may come their way. They have faith in their capacity and are eager to discover what the future brings. College graduation can provide students with a wealth of prospects. It may result in better-paying jobs, more job security, and more career prospects. Additionally, access to benefits like paid time off, retirement plans, and health insurance is more prevalent among college graduates. They are more prepared to meet the demands of the modern workplace, including learning new technology, cooperating with others, and effectively communicating with clients and coworkers. Beyond the monetary advantages, completing college can also help a student’s personal life. It can provide one a sense of success and self-worth and can help one feel more purposeful and well-directed. Whether through volunteering, activism, or other types of civic engagement, college graduates are more likely to be active in their communities. They are more likely to make wise choices regarding their health, finances, and interpersonal relationships because they are more suited to deal with the complexity of the world around them.

The Pegasus had a chance to meet with some of the soon to be Eureka graduates and ask questions about what they wish they had done differently in college and what’s next for them. “I wish I had paid more attention to school so I wasn’t overloaded with homework all the time trying to catch up. And I look forward to having a family and making a lot of money,” said Robert Muhammad

“It means a lot to me. I hope that me getting this degree kind of creates a path for my younger brother and sister to follow to continue the tradition that I started,” said Seth Padavic, a Lincoln College transfer who majors in criminal justice. Seth’s efforts to pursue the next level of schooling after high school is his way of promoting the idea to his younger siblings, and studies have shown that this does indeed play a role in the younger generations’ decisions. First generation college students like Seth are the backbone for families to kickstart their children going to college and making new and better opportunities for themselves.

Now, it is very common to hear someone say that college is too expensive, hard, or even that school is just not for them. You’d have to wonder how a person that is the first in their family must feel. “My college experience was not the easiest and smoothest time of my life. It was hard and I had to really work for this accomplishment. Although it was hard, I had an amazing support system through my teammates on the wrestling team and my family to relieve some of the stress,” said Padavic. Seth’s journey is proof that if you work hard and stay committed, it pays off.

Soon to be graduates, remember to be proud of everything you have done as you reflect on your time in college. You have put forth a lot of effort, overcame challenges, and developed in various ways. You have made friends for life, found new interests, and developed a better grasp of who you are and the world around you. Remember that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to as you get ready to start this next chapter of your life. You have the ability to change the world and to pursue your aspirations passionately and purposefully. So, go forth with assurance, bravery, and resolve. Know that those who love you are rooting for you and admire you. Congratulations on such a remarkable accomplishment!