Eureka College seniors discuss what they have enjoyed the most about their Red Devil experience, what they would change, and their advice for underclassmen.
For many students, graduation has always felt like it was a dream, something that is years and years away from reaching. Now, it is only a mere few weeks before seniors walk the stage. As scary as opening the next chapter in your life may be, it creates many opportunities for seniors to achieve their goals and create new perspectives. Students of various majors and career paths share their enjoyment and constructive criticisms to better student experiences while offering helpful advice to students who were once in their shoes.
Senior Josie Ness out of Sandwich High School with a major in Elementary and Special Education plans on becoming a second-grade teacher at Indian Creek Elementary School. Ness reflects on her past four years as a Red Devil and shares what her favorite memories were.
“Being able to play basketball along with being able to get many hands-on opportunities in different classrooms” Ness said.
While she has had good memories at Eureka, she was honest when asked what the school could improve on in order to better students’ college experience. She opens the conversation of the well-known critique of the food distribution on campus.
“Have more availability of food choices throughout the day and night. Due to having practice, we would often miss dinner.” Ness said.
Food distribution has been a hot topic on campus, especially after a change in rules regarding how many times a student can use a meal swipe in an order. With this, Ness hopes to see changes in the future in times, swipes, and overall food availability.
Being an experienced student athlete and being a participant in student teaching, Ness understands how college can be overwhelming. Despite this, she shared advice for underclassmen.
“College doesn’t last forever, so enjoy every minute of it,” Ness said.
Senior Kinesiology Exercise Major out of Elmwood High School, Hannah Burkiett has spent her entire college experience as a Red Devil. She shares her appreciation for the small campus atmosphere Eureka holds as it has contributed to the mentors and friendships she has gained in her four years.
“I think the small campus helps with the fact that students are close with their professors and the professors care more for the student body rather than a student being just a number.” Burkiett said.
Eureka College has many resources on campus; from the First Generation Program to the Leadership Rising Program, and the Athletics Department, there are multiple ways to get support. Burkiett shares the resources she used in her four years at Eureka.
“Some resources that helped me through my first two years here were the coaches. They guided me through a hard time in my life when I didn’t have anyone else. My last year and a half here has been different because they aren’t here with me anymore,” Burkiett said.
Although these seniors show differences in majors and career paths, the focal point of their advice was to enjoy the time given as college tends to fly by and appreciate the people that surround you. Utilizing resources, appreciating the advantages of a small campus atmosphere, and participating in hands-on opportunities are significant in fulfilling time at Eureka College according to seniors on campus.
Commencement will take place on Saturday, May 10th at 10:30 a.m. in the Reagan.
