In the Blink of an Eye

Am I the only one who thought their four years at UNCW went by fast? Like really fast. Well, I guess technically the Class of 2021 only had one full year. Shoutout to Hurricane Florence, Hurricane Dorian, and COVID-19 for that nonsense. But here I am, heading into my final semester thinking about the last four years and how I wouldn’t change them for the world. I have experienced so much, and I’d like to say I learned a few things along the way. So, I have some advice for current and future Seahawks.

Find your passion- Major in something that interests you, something you’re passionate about. UNCW offers a variety of majors and concentrations within them. Explore the different courses and find your place. It might take a year or two but it’s better than getting a degree in something you don’t care about.

Get involved- There are so many student run clubs/organizations on campus, everything from Beekeepers to ski and snowboard. I joined club soccer my freshman year and it has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. I’ve met so many amazing people and was able to play the game I love. I highly recommend attending the Involvement Carnival and signing up for anything that sounds interesting.

Look before crossing- If you’ve never almost been hit by a biker or skateboarder on Chancellor’s Walk then you haven’t gotten the full UNCW experience. Campus is filled with Lance Armstrong and Tony Hawk wannabes and they do not slow down for anyone. So, unless you want to end up in the hospital, I recommend looking both ways before crossing.

It’s okay to skip class- I’m sure professors won’t be too fond of this one. But if it’s 85, the sun is out, and someone invites you out on their boat, but you have class…skip the class. Missing one day will not be the end of the world, I promise. Just don’t make it a habit.

Galloway is the OG- Okay, Galloway might have a bad rep but living in that prison-like building is an experience like no other. Just imagine living in a hotel with all your friends, it doesn’t get much better than that. The dorm experience is a must have. And even though it might get torn down, Galloway will always be superior and hold a special place in my heart.

Campus life is the best life- UNCW’s campus is beautiful. My favorite time of the year is that first warm day of spring and everyone is chilling on campus in Enos, laying in the grass, or throwing a frisbee. I wish I would have enjoyed those days a little more now that campus is like a ghost town.

Get to know your professors- This is something I truly regret. I was taught by some of the most amazing and intelligent professors. Go to their office hours. Talk about classes. Talk about something other than classes. Professors are people too.

There is more than meets the eye- I’m sure location played a big part in your decision to become a Seahawk. Wilmington has so much more to offer than just the beach. Explore your community. Try a new restaurant or brewery every week. There are plenty of hidden gems to be found.

Don’t blink- College is an amazing experience but trust me, it flies by. You never know when something like a global pandemic is going to take away your senior year. Your last year with your friends. Your last year of being young and dumb. So, don’t take it for granted.

As Andy Bernard once said, “I wish there was a way to know you were in the good old days, before you actually left them.” To future and current Seahawks, you picked a truly incredible place to spend the next stage of your life. Make memories that will last a lifetime. Enjoy every second of it.