A transfer student and only at UNCW for 2 years, I decided to take advantage of my time here and be as involved as much as I could. I got plugged in with a campus ministry where I met some of my best friends, and eventually become a student leader. I had the opportunity to work with a team that brought the Monster Energy Music Festival to Wilmington three times. I also managed one of the largest social media accounts in Wilmington. I can definitely say I have made the most of my time here and don’t regret a second.
However, there have definitely been some stressful times for me at UNCW. Let’s start with how both fall semesters, in the 2 years I have been here, were put on pause for a period of time because of a hurricane. Or how about a global pandemic stealing my last 2 months of college and the cancelation of Graduation. If life at UNCW has taught me anything, it is to expect the unexpected and don’t let adversity stand in the way of your dreams. Just keep your head up and a smile on your face because tomorrow is going to be way better than today.
I decided to stay in Wilmington over the summer to take classes and I think it was one of the best decisions I could have made. The summer classes were not easy and they were very time consuming but I got through them. I got a job working in Wrightsville Beach at the largest boat dealership in the world. I made new friends that were local to the area. But, most of all, I fell in love with Wilmington.
To future UNCW students, I’d say to take any opportunity that presents itself. Your time here is short and believe it or not, it goes by very fast. So look for ways to make your time meaningful. Join a club, make new friends, skip class to go on day trips, go too cookout at 2am, hit up Islands after 5pm, serve your community. Just find something you love and stick with it!
You have the opportunity to make an impact at UNCW, take it!
Thrive! Don’t just survive.
IMC Hawks Blog 
This article was very relatable. I too, feel the burden of the pandemic but I am deciding to keep my head up. This article also made me realize that I need to find my part at uncw and get more involved with something that I love. I am also a transfer student so I know how hard it can be to find your niche right away.
Jay,
I loved reading your blog post! You opened up a lot about your life, making your audience feel comfortable. This transparency and exposure allowed us who live in Wilmington to relate, luring us into your post to want to engage and read further. I too am a senior at UNCW and felt the same way about the hiccups we have experienced throughout our college lives. From the hurricanes, to this epidemic- we have had significant interruptions. I admire the positivity you radiate onto the readers, offering a lot of wisdom and the viewpoint of the glass being half full. This was inspiring to me because sometimes I realize I am negative about these situations, so it was an awesome reminder to keep our heads up and be thankful for the time we were able to spent in this beautiful place. Thanks a lot for sharing and enlightening us with your high spirits and influential remarks.
Hey Jay,
I can relate to your post 100%. I also came to UNCW in 2018 leaving me with only two years to spend at this beautiful university, I love how you have made your time count while you’ve been here. I feel your pain with everything that has been going on leaving your time cut short here. It definitely makes you thankful and grateful for the times we did have here. I agree with everything you said and you should do all the wonderful things that Wilmington has to offer, and make the best of the time you do have. Thank you for telling us about yourself it was really refreshing to hear about how awesome your time was spent here.
Hey! I noticed that you were one of the Up&Up ambassadors last semester! I was also one of the few who got to meet Elephante at the end of the show. I have always been a huge fan of his and I’m sure that you are also big into electronic music, as you are one of the ambassadors of the event. I bet it was gut-wrenching to find out that you will not be a student here for the next one even though we had won the Troyboi concert this Spring too! I am glad you had a wonderful time here at UNCW and am truly sorry that your graduating class had to be the ones negatively affected by this disaster. It is great that you are able to see the bright side of things and have hope towards the future. Based on your story I am sure you will go on to do great things!
Hi Jay, wow, you have accomplished so much in your young life & have taken advantage of every situation! We can’t wait to see what you do next! You look like you are very happy in all your photos I’ve seen at school & with your family. We are so proud of you Jay Carr!!!! Best wishes in everything you do with your life.
Love, the Russum family