Hello Adulthood

The last seven years have been QUITE an adventure. Being a college/grad student is a tough job that many do not understand unless they have “been there done that.” Am I right or am I right!?

Nicholls has been my home the last seven years (tears). It has been my constant and the place I have spent most of my time trying to figure out what this whole “growing up” thing was all about. It’s safe to say I have grown up at Nicholls.

To think I was only 18 years old when I stepped foot on campus blows my mind. It feels like just yesterday I sat in my very first class where I was told, “you’ll remember this day forever”- and I absolutely do.

Trust me when I say getting to this point was ANYTHING but easy. I was a struggling student most of my life and never knew if I would see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I had a dream of being a teacher and I was determined to prove that hard work and dedication can trump academic ability (and mathematical skills…cough cough).

Moving on to grad school, I knew how disciplined I needed to be. I put my entire social life on hold and decided to solely focus on what made me happy. I can’t even begin to tell you how liberating this was for me.

In grad school, my passion for writing become more evident and I knew I had to express this creative energy in some form or fashion- can you say, “Hello, GorJess?” LITERALLY! PUN COMPLETELY INTENDED!

Writing became my hobby, which unknowingly made me a better student and academic writer. I’ve never made better grades in all my life. How did I do this? Prioritizing. I focused all of my energy of the things I loved most, goals I had for myself and making sure I went to bed each night feeling accomplished. (Highly recommend this “triple threat” to any and everyone).

Having to leave NSU, my home away from home, won’t be easy. Walking across that stage yesterday for the second time made me even more proud to call myself a Colonel. I am so grateful to the many, many WONDERFUL people I’ve met along the way. There’s entirely too many of you to name, but you know who you are;)

To my parents- you guys have been along the ride from the beginning. You have loved and supported every decision I have ever made (good and bad). You have allowed me to fail and make my own mistakes, teaching me the best lesson of all- determination to be my best self by MY choice, my rules and my decisions.

So, I’m giving a big “see ya later” to Nicholls! This ride is far from over and I can’t wait to see where I’m headed next!

This story is to be continued…..

💋✌🏼