As I gazed on D2L searching for my final classes for undergrad, I couldn’t be more overwhelmed with joy; the journey is almost over! College was such a privilege for me. I was able to meet new friends, venture out with different opportunities and meet professors that were truly genuine. I will never forget the restless and over-caffeinated nights, anxious to turn in the last-minute assignments before 11:59 p.m. If anyone was to ask me, “Was all of this worth it?” my response would be, “Yes!” As I prepare to walk in the commencement this May, here is a look back on my final year at West Chester University.
The beginning of my senior year, I was working as a manager for a local food business in Chester County while taking four classes at WCU. It was hard balancing the two because as everyone knows, being a manager takes a lot of work and can be very draining at times in addition to taking four classes towards my major. I thought this was by far the most challenging semester of my college career.
Entering into the second and final half of my senior year, I met a professor and friend who guided me into using my talent to gain more experience relevant my major. Professsor Edward Lordan helped me see how I needed an internship on my resume to advertise myself. In doing so, this will set me apart from others who are competing in the same job or career that I am. Lordan showed me how I should consider writing for the Quad since I want to go into the broadcast industry in the future. If it wasn’t for Lordan showing me where to go and where to write for The Quad, I wouldn’t be typing this article.
My friend Victoria Molumo showed me the ins and outs of being a Quad mobile journalist. Within a half hour of just conversing with one another in the beginning of the spring semester, she brought me to the studio and introduced me to one of the editors for the Diversity Minute show. From that day on, I began to do the diversity minute show alongside Molumo every other week as well as the Weather Minute.
Between writing for The Quad and being a mobile journalist for the diversity and weather minute, I added a total of six classes to finish strong for this semester. I experienced some doubts about taking five upper-level communication classes and a culture cluster, but I liked the fact that I was going against the grain. It was like having a lot of adrenaline rush through me. I love the fact that I was taking many classes while being involved in activities throughout West Chester’s campus. It keeps me busy throughout the semester, but most importantly, I was gaining experience throughout my college career.
My advice to current and future students is that if you want to balance a crazy school schedule with extracurricular activities throughout the semester, be the very best that you can! It all comes down to organization, time management and consistency. It will be hard balancing everything at once, but once you get through all of it, you will be so excited to see your hard work pay off. I didn’t believe I was capable of doing half the things I did in the short span of a few months, but I did. I accomplished more than I anticipated with the help of friends, professors and West Chester University. As I walk across the stage on Sunday, May 13, I will be proud of everything that I have achieved here at West Chester University.
Jennifer Odiatu is a fourth-year student majoring in communications studies with a minor in journalism. ✉ JO820471@wcupa.edu.