By: Joslyn Miller, Noihrita Masud, Alexis Smith, & Jada James
As I graduate from Michigan State, I am overwhelmed with emotions of excitement, sadness, love, and nostalgia. For the Class of 2023, our college experiences have been anything but ordinary. As I sat with my friend, reflecting on our time at Michigan State, reliving some of our favorite memories, fantasizing about the future, and making plans to visit each other after our 0.2 mile walk turns into a 665 mile drive, we agreed that even though our time at MSU has been at times devastating and heart-breaking, we have also experienced some of the most amazing friendship, love, and community.
Although I will miss getting dressed up in green and white for game days, the feeling of fall marked by the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows of the trees, hearing the chime of Beaumont Tower as I walk to my afternoon class, and living in a tiny, blue off-campus house, it is the people and experiences that I will miss the most. To the people I have met during my four years here and the experiences I have had, I am forever grateful. I am so proud to be a member of the Class of 2023 and show that Spartans Will love, Spartans Will laugh, Spartans Will cry, Spartans Will cheer, and Spartans Will always come together when they need each other most.
To the school I love the most and the people I’ve shared my time with at MSU,
I have become who I am because of you.
Forever and Always, Go Green.
Love, Joslyn
My favorite memory during my time at MSU was going to the dairy store with my friends for grilled cheese and tomato soup. My time at MSU has shown me how resilient Spartans are and how grateful I am to be a Spartan. When I first stepped foot on campus, I constantly saw one thing- people smiling. I have always felt welcomed and supported. At times when I wanted to give-up, I was encouraged by my advisors, friends, and professors to eventually become a Spartan Alumni. I will forever be grateful to wear White and Green as it commemorates strength, resilience, and courage.
Go Green!
Alexis Smith
As I'm reflecting on my college experience, I am filled with a mix of emotions. On one hand, I feel a deep sense of pride and accomplishment for all that I have achieved during my time here at MSU. From navigating challenging coursework in both James Madison and Lyman Briggs to taking on multiple leadership roles in student organizations (some of the most notable highlights of my memories being at Women*s Council, Women*s Student Services, and ASMSU), I have grown immensely as a person in maturity, leadership style, and compassion. At the same time, however, I can't help but feel a sense of uncertainty and anxiety. Graduating from college means leaving behind this familiar environment and community that I've been involved in for so long, and venturing out into an unknown community. The pressure to complete other milestones in a successful and effective manner definitely is overwhelming. However, I'm hopeful that as I prepare to leave college and move on to the next phase of my life, it will feel like I am closer to my long-term goals of being a public servant. So, I am filled with gratitude for all that this chapter has brought me and excitement for what the future holds.
Best,
Noihrita.
Graduation season makes me reflect on the growth that I have made over my college career. My journey through college has been bumpy but always worth it! I started my college career as a freshman at Lansing Community College (LCC) who changed my major three times before I stuck with something. Then I transferred to MSU during the pandemic where my first year of classes were online. I owe my resilience to my family and friends who supported and always uplifted me along the way. The thought of transitioning to the next phase of my life is nerve-wracking, but I hope the scared 18-year-old Jada is proud of the woman I have become. I am going to miss my college experience, especially the random stories that can only happen on a college campus like my friend and I coming out during a blizzard just to get Insomnia Cookie. I look forward to ending my journey walking across the stage as a Spartan!
Love, Jada
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