Today is the day.

May 27th, 2023. It feels like I blinked and the past four years are gone. The day that I have spent the past four years thinking about, striving towards, and stressing over. I begin to get ready thinking about how much I have grown as both a student and a person. How is it possible that I am so different, yet still the same as the young, timid girl that entered the University of Delaware at a mere 18 years old? These thoughts open my eyes about how far I have really come as a college student. Everything that I have worked for throughout the past four years; the laughs, the tears, the memories, have led me to exactly where I am today. Exactly where I am supposed to be.

As I stare at myself in the mirror, attempting to fix my hair, and smoothing down my dress before donning my cap and gown, I can’t help but let the flashbacks from the past four years of my life overtake my thoughts. The countless hours that I spent studying for and struggling through my hardest classes, and the time spent making memories with my friends but also spent missing my family and my hometown on Long Island.

My parents enter the room with my three younger sisters not far behind. The six of us marvel about how fast the time has passed. One of my sisters just finished her second year of college and the twins are entering their junior year of high school. My mom comes up to me and tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. She pulls me close into one of her warm hugs and tells me how proud they are of all of my accomplishments. My dad, following suit, gives me a hug and expresses how excited everyone is to see what my future holds. After hugging each of my sisters, I am finally ready to leave for the ceremony, and am anxious for it to begin.

Today is the day. I am finally ready to graduate.