Closing a Chapter

It feels like only three weeks ago that I was starting undergraduate classes at South Dakota State University. But in all actuality, three weeks ago I was frantically tying up all the bows to complete my undergrad, and three weeks from now I will be starting a Graduate program at South Dakota State University after completing three and a half wonderful and fulfilling years as an undergrad.

With every new chapter in life, I think it’s important to look back and reflect on all that has happened and how far life has progressed. Sometimes the reflection takes years before all the thoughts come together (like my thoughts about high school – see the first blog) and sometimes all the ideas come together right as the chapter ends (like this one).

Over the past three and a half years, I have gone through a number of significant life changes. However, with each life change, I become a better and more redefined version of the young woman who started at SDSU in August of 2015.

I did not have the college experience that I was anticipating I was going to have, but I had an even better experience that I never could have imagined that has resulted in a countless number of opportunities and has opened doors that I didn’t even know existed.

I came to SDSU imagining that I would compete all four years as a Jackrabbit on the cross country and track & field team. I came to SDSU imagining that I would become a nurse. I came to SDSU imagining that after my undergraduate degree I would never pursue additional education. I came to SDSU imaging that I probably wouldn’t graduate from the Honors Program. I came to SDSU imaging that I would marry Jake.

In regard to what I imagined going into college, I was utterly wrong about everything I imagined except for Jake. But that’s how it is in all of life. You go into a new experience imagining one specific thing and then are entirely amazed when you discover a completing new aspect along the way.

I competed for two and a half years as a Jackrabbit athlete. However, I did not race all four years. I am still piecing together this “sub-chapter” of my college experience as it was complicated and challenging. The key aspect that I do know for sure regarding my experience as a Jackrabbit athlete, is that I am incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to represent South Dakota State in such a way. Through Jackrabbit athletics, I met some of my best friends, saw incredible athletic performances and was guided by some of the kindest individuals. I will always be proud of my time spent running and competing as a Jack.

I was a part of the Nursing program for a semester and a half. I realized quite suddenly that nursing was not for me as I was in an Anatomy lab, timidly examining a real cadaver. It was at that exact moment when I realized that I absolutely hated blood, other people’s bodily fluids, and organs and the overall ins-and-outs of the nursing world. I am so grateful that there are people who are fascinated by these things and I appreciate that they take care of me when I’m sick. After realizing this about myself, I did a complete 180-degree turn and started taking courses pursuing a Consumer Affairs degree with minors in Marketing and Advertising. These courses were a much more comfortable fit for my personality (and stomach strength). I had created my new educational path to lead me towards human resources or marketing director, but honestly, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my degree when I changed it.

Despite, not completely understanding what my selected career path entailed, I continued down the educational route and was shockingly interested in the variety that my major and minors provided me. I took courses about Public Relations, Advertising Campaigns, Consumer Policies, Quantitative Research, Event Coordinating, Leadership, Mass Media and Society and so much more. I thrived in the variety and the assortment of classes I took because they opened new interests that I discovered. Not only did the range of courses have a positive impact on my undergraduate experience, so too did the variety of professors. Without the help and inspiration from numerous college professors, I would not be on the career path that I am today. They helped shape and encourage the student and person that I am today, and I could not be more grateful.

For a semester in college, I was a part of the SDSU ROTC Air Force program. When I attended college, I most certainly did not see myself pursuing a military experience. I took an AF leadership class that had a coordinating leadership lab with it and became entranced by the incredible individuals and leaders around me. Because of my numerous food intolerances, I was not able to continue as a cadet, but I gained valuable insight into the Air Force and a glimpse into the hearts of those who serve our country. Through my experience in the ROTC AF course, I gained a greater appreciation for our military branches, found one of my best friends and even found a family (who I absolutely adore) to babysit in the area.

Through the variety of courses, I took, I created friendships with people that I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise, and I now count my blessings that they are in my life. One of these friendships that budded out of class is with my friend and travel buddy, Alexandra. We were in a class together, and before the class even started, she messaged me saying, “Hi Rachel! I'm one of your friend’s suitemates, and I saw you on the class list for ADV-370. Will, you be my friend in class and one of my group members?”. At first, I was a tad creeped out, but over the past three years I have indeed grown to appreciate our friendship, and we now chuckle about how it all began.

Upon attending SDSU as an undergrad, I thought (and at the time hoped) that it would be the end of my college career. With the inspiration of some of the most educated people I know, I have been inspired to continue my education and work towards a Master's in Communication. I am eager to pursue my goal to be a life-long learner and hopefully bring forth new educational ideas through my research (more on that to come).

I did not withdraw from the Honors College. Instead, I flourished and was supported by the incredible people within the Honors program and completed my degree with Honors distinction. At times, the process wasn’t natural and took hard-work, but it wouldn’t be called ‘honors’ if it was easy now would it. I enjoyed each and every minute of my completion of the Honors requirements which culminated in my Honors Independent study which I conducted about marriage. With the Honors College, I had the opportunity to publicly speak on countless occasions, present a Readers Theater at the National Honors Conference, be a Teaching Assistant and grow as a student. My experience within the SDSU Honors College was one that I will cherish and carry with me forever.

Throughout college, I participated in multiple clubs and organizations. I was apart of the Alumni Association club, Staters for State and gained an incredible appreciate for the alumni that are still apart of the SDSU community. I attended two Consumer Affairs club trips to Omaha and Minnesota where we were able to visit potential employers. I advertised my major and the college of Education and Human Sciences at academic fairs and in freshman seminar classes.

Going into this final semester, I had a very narrow mindset. I just wanted to complete my last semester and start graduate school. I had very little interest in group projects and making new friends. As one of my favorite comedians says, “I am all friended up.” And that really was my mindset for the first few weeks of this semester not because I don’t like people but because I was so focused on just getting done. As so often happens, my mind was completed changed. I was so lucky to be paired with amazing classmates in my final semester, and my mindset was shifted. I gave my very last undergraduate presentation last Tuesday with the best group I have had throughout my entire undergraduate career. We talked about implementing a Mental Health First Aid program at universities to better educate professors on warning signs for substance abuse, learning impairments and mental disabilities and it was one of the most moving presentations I have given. Throughout this semester I was touched by the new friendships I developed and gained a greater appreciation for new people who come into my life when I’m least expecting them.

Throughout college, the relationship that Jake and I share took a few unexpected twists and turns and had some bumpy patches but at the end of the day, the challenges over the past three and a half years have only strengthened our relationship and set us up for a more prosperous life together going forward. Like any relationship, we will always be working to communicate better and to show appreciation more effectively so that we can love each other more fully every day. I am so appreciative of his constant support and encouragement, especially within this past year as we conclude our separate programs. Over the past few years, we have learned more about each other and grown more aligned as a couple. Overall, I am so thankful that I was able to complete my degree with my best friend by my side.

Of course, there are countless other stories throughout college about me stressing about finals, laughing with my best friends, driving back to school with Jake, procrastinating doing homework or competing on the track team, but the most significant themes are reflected throughout this brief overview about my undergraduate chapter.

I was sitting in the Student Union last week when the retired Colonel of the SDSU ROTC AF branch approached me. I hadn’t seen him since the spring of my freshman year. He was quite surprised to bump into me. He said he barely recognized me. I was amazed. I see myself in the mirror daily, and I personally believe I don’t look much different than I did when I was a junior in high school. I don’t know what he saw in me that had changed, but his surprised just reminded me how fast time passes and with a blink of an eye, three and a half years have gone by.

With all the unexpected turns that college presented me, I firmly believe that those changes built up the strong aspects of my character and challenged me to examine my weaknesses. My undergraduate experience was an incredibly fulfilling and rewarding one and will continue shaping aspect of my character going forward.

With Love,

Rachel Elizabeth