Well, here we are. Four days until exams begin and twelve until graduation.The past three and a half years have been the most incredible years of my life. It is crazy to think how much has changed since freshman year and how much I have grown as a person. I remember my freshman year of college like it was yesterday. I moved in with a roommate I had never met and left my parents for the first time. It was a rude awakening since I was coming from a small private school in Winston-Salem, but after getting involved in a sorority and different clubs on campus, I had made a new home.
My experience at UNCW has been the most rewarding yet challenging time and this semester has not been an exception. While taking 300-400 level classes, I have also been building my professional portfolio and applying and searching for jobs, which has been no joke. After a long process of many interviews and some rejection, I am happy to say that after graduation I will be moving to Charlotte and beginning a career with Diversant on January 5th. I owe this success to the wonderful Communication Studies Department and the time they put into me.
Since I am finishing my degree, I have put together a couple of pieces of advice. First of all, make sure you take the time and effort into maintaining relationships with your professors. These mentors can become great references and eventually friends. Also, make sure you do an internship! Maybe even two. While classes prepared me for my career, the internships I did helped put it into practice and I was able to get experience in what I wanted to do after graduation. Lastly, get involved. Join clubs, honors societies and play intramurals. By doing this you will become well rounded and make more friends and connections.
Although I have had an amazing time at UNCW and have made some of my best friends here, I am very excited for the next step of my life. The Communication Studies Department has prepared me for a career and I cannot wait to use the skills that I have learned in college. Unlike me, take your time finishing college. Enjoy all four years and make the most of your time at UNCW!
Cheers,
Margaret Cafasso
IMC Hawks Blog 
I absolutely loved reading your story. I have been thinking about graduating a semester early, but have been undecided as to what it is I should do. The advice you have given in regards to creating close relationships and getting internships I could not agree more with. I am interning right now and the skills that I have learned from class have really helped with that overall experience. I think people don’t realize just how important it is to not just learn the information, but also learn how to apply it. Good luck with the next phase in your life!
Vanessa,
Thank you! Graduating early has had its advantages but I know that I would love that extra semester here to enjoy college fully. Good luck with the rest of your internship!
-Margaret
Margaret,
Reading this post really opened my eyes to how short life is and how fast everything comes. The advice that you have given in this post is great. I am in the process of looking for internships now and though it is a stressful process, I know that in the end it will all be worth it. I wish you luck with your journey after graduation and I know that you will do great! You will be missed dearly!
Catalina,
Thank you! Use the resources of the Communication department and I am sure you will get a great internship. Good luck to you!
-Margaret
I really enjoyed reading this! I really liked your advice at the end. I think a lot of students (myself included sometimes) forget that there is a world of opportunity at UNCW, and that taking advantage of these opportunities is the best thing to do. I definitely want to maintain relationships with the advisors and professors I have met here.
Margaret,
I can’t believe you are graduating so soon! The advice you have given is great for students who aren’t sure of the best way to approach their college career. Student-teacher relationships are vital to success in my opinion, because the professors can give such great advice in your area of interest. Staying active in various groups is a wise decision, and you can’t go wrong with having more friends! Congratulations on your job offer, I am sure you will do great!
Lauren and Alexis,
Thank you for the support! Getting to know your professors helps tremendously in the long run. I wish you both the best of luck!
-Margaret
Congratulations on your job offer! I am extremely anxious about being a senior next year but your story has helped calm my nerves. I think you gave great advice. I have already completed one internship but I’m definitely applying for another one. My first internship actually helped me realize what field I don’t want to go into so advising people to complete two internships is great.
The same thing happened to me! After completing my second internship it was clear that it was not what I wanted to do with my career. I do not regret doing it because it helped to make my decision a little easier. I hope you get another internship that you love!
-Margaret
Wow! Graduation is so bitter sweet! I am graduating in May and can only imagine how you feel. I love that you found a job and shared a little bit of wisdom with all of us before it’s our time to walk across that stage. It is very impressive that you graduated early! I wish you luck in Charlotte, it is a great city! 🙂
Congratulations on graduating and beginning your new journey! You gave some great advice that I can relate to. I’ve had several internships throughout my college career and I am so thankful for the opportunities they have provided me, the people I have met, and the experiences I have gained. There is so much useful knowledge that is taught in the classroom, but being able to apply that knowledge and know that you can rise to new challenges is so rewarding and teaches you a lot about yourself. Also, great advice about getting to know your professors. I remember my freshman year and being afraid of my professors and having the mind-set that they don’t care if I succeed or not, but I was wrong. Professors have been where we are and can give some of the best advice and insight into how to achieve the goals we’ve set for ourselves. Best wishes in your new journey!
Courtney and Jessica,
Thank you! Graduation is definitely bitter sweet but I am trying to make the most of it. I love that you both agree with my advice! Good luck to you both!
-Margaret
Great piece! I’m currently a junior and I’m already starting to get graduation jitters! College is flying by and the time seems to go by faster and faster as each week passes. It’s definitely a whirlwind of emotions. Thank you for sharing, and congrats on your new beginnings.
Wow! This post was great and really got me thinking about how fast college does go by! Thank you for your advice and words of encouragement. It is truly crazy to think about how fast 4 years in college do go by. Although I am only a sophomore, I am almost halfway done with college and that is so scary. Thank you again for sharing this blog post! Good luck with the next chapter in your life!
Sydney and Kasey,
Thank you both! Yes, time really does fly by and this semester was definitely the quickest. I feel like yesterday was the first day of classes. Enjoy your last couple years!
-Margaret
I really enjoyed reading about your experience here at UNCW! I think that it was very similar to mine. In the beginning it was a lot of fun, but a hard transition. I also think that it is so important to do internships. In COM 105 Weber harped on us all to get internships, maybe 2, and he was absolutely correct. I think that internships not only look great on resumes but also provide you with real world experience. They also provide you with awesome networks that may help you get a job in the future. Thanks for sharing your experience and tips with us!
This post was very inspiring. It really put everything into perspective. College is so hard but it seems like it was all worth it for you. You seem to have really been involved on campus and its motivating. I really appreciate your advice about internships and maintaining relationships with professors. I hope everything works out for you in your career.
All the best.
Grace and Gaby,
I’m glad you both can relate! Internships are so important, Dr. Weber was definitely right about that. Thank you and good luck to you both!
-Margaret
I loved hearing about your story and it gives me hope that I will look back my senior year as you did. I can relate to you so much, especially with the private school and small town and then transitioning to a a school like UNCW. it was a big change but I am glad I did it.
Austin,
I am glad that you were able to transition to UNCW easily. It is a big change, but once you see how it has made you a better person it is all worth it! Good luck to you!
-Margaret
It was great to read your post! It’s an exciting time for you as you are entering a new phase in your life and it sounds like UNCW has made a great person out of you. I’m planning on doing the same at building and maintaining relationships with my professors as they have heaps of knowledge and connections out in the world that could help me with my future. I have not joined any clubs at UNCW, but I feel after reading your post that I should. Unfortunately for you, university is over and its a shame that you’re going to have to start working, despite earning some money in return!
Joshua,
I highly recommend making and maintaining relationships with professors. They can help you out in the future more than anyone realizes! Take advantage of clubs and societies, it is worth it! Good luck to you!
-Margaret
Definitely good advice for new students. It doesn’t matter if you breeze through college with a 4.0 if you haven’t had any experience or involvement. Involvement in campus helped me find my footing socially and professionally. This is the first thing I tell incoming freshman to do.
Jonny,
I am glad you agree! Without the experience I gained in college I would not be sure that I am going into the right profession.
-Margaret
Great story! I really do feel as if I was a freshman yesterday, and I’m a 5th year senior now! I cannot wait to graduate, but it truly did fly by! Thank you for your advice in planning for the future, and good luck in your future endeavors!
Taylor,
Time does fly by and this semester has gone by the quickest! Thank you and good luck to you!
-Margaret