Thank You Carolina

With today being the last day of classes for my undergrad, it felt like the perfect opportunity to use my last blog post of the semester to reflect on my time at Carolina and say my thanks.

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As an out-of-state student who didn’t discover Carolina until her senior year, I could have never imagined that my time at UNC would be as fulfilling, exciting, and as they say, the best four years of my life. The memories, new experiences, friendships, and the ways that I have discovered myself have been invaluable. I could not thank my family and friends enough for supporting me, cheering me on, and being a big part of what made my decision to attend UNC one of the best decisions I have made.

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So… here are my thanks to the people who have changed my life forever.

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To my family, first and foremost, for their constant support and giving me everything I could have ever needed and more. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without you and would not have been able to achieve my goals without my favorite people and support system by my side through it all.

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To my friends, for always being there, for both the good and the bad. For the unlimited adventures, coffee shop dates, lake days, and so much more than I can even begin to describe. You all have moved me, made me a better person, and motivated me to empower myself and others both in my personal and professional life. Nothing compares to the bond between those you went to an all-girl high school with. Additionally, nothing compares to sharing the best four years with other Tar Heels and knowing that these are friends I will have for life. To all of you, even though I may not say it enough, you have changed me for the better and I truly could never express the love and gratitude I have for each and every one of you.

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To my professors, for their guidance throughout my college career. It is evident that the professors I have had the privilege of having care about their students, in their daily lives, and their personal growth, and giving them whatever they can to help pave their way to success. My professors have never failed to reach out with great opportunities, offer to introduce me to tremendously helpful connections, write recommendation letters, and even open just to chat and give advice. I wouldn’t be ready for the next chapter and am sure that my knowledge and skills will be valued and enhanced in my post-graduate career without their dedication and passion for their students.

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To the clubs and organizations, I have had the chance of being involved in during my time at Carolina. You have given me so many incredible friends and experiences that I will remember forever. You showed me what it was like to take something I have grown up loving and find a place to continue doing it in college. There is always a space to do what you love and I could not have been happier with my experiences.

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To the whole Carolina family, that past and present, whether it’s the people I’ve met in passing or those who have personally impacted my life…thank you. The general vibe of this community and what it means to be a Tar Heel never really resonated with me until this year. Being part of the Carolina family is so much more than attending athletic events and wearing Carolina blue. It is about connections, relationships, and knowing that no matter where life takes you, there is always a place for you in Chapel Hill. It never ceases to amaze me how thrilling and fortunate attending UNC has been for me and it has and always will be an incredible honor to say that today until the day I die…I am a Tar Heel!

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This ending is bittersweet, to say the least, but I am so excited to embark on a new journey to start my career in NYC. UNC and the support of the Hussman school and its professors have made me prepared to transition into this next phase in my life knowing I have acquired the skills and relationships to expand my scope and let my curiosity and desire to learn to hopefully achieve success in this new chapter.

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Advice of the day: Take time to reflect on the great moments that have made you who you are, especially when a chapter is about to close with a new one unlike any previous chapter starting. While it might seem scary, take the leap. You never know what could happen, so take that chance and allow yourself to be challenged.

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Thanks for reading 🙂