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As I sit here and reflect on this being my last day of college classes- I am excited, nervous, relieved, proud, and ready for whatever is to come next! My college career did not start off on a strong note. I was a confused, scared high-school graduate who had no real guidance about what to do next.

I was nowhere near as academically gifted as my older sister and had little to no financial support. These factors led me to settling for attending a community college to obtain my Associate’s Degree. Although this did not mark the highlight of my college career, it did ignite a flame in my motivation that high school never could have. I could choose the classes that I was interested in and the subjects I chose to explore further. I was in charge of my own education and that inspired me. Before completing my technical program in Radiographic Technology, I got a feeling that I wasn’t working to the best of my abilities. This is the moment that I decided to explore my options at UNCW.

Three years later, I am so pleased to say this was one of the best decisions of my life. Although I felt a sense of giving up on my first venture, I knew that there was something so much greater waiting for me at UNCW. This amazing opportunity was found within the Communication Studies Department, the place I have called my “home” for some time. This department has allowed me to broaden my knowledge on the complex world of communication and managing relationships. My classmates and professors have inspired me to find the “real me” and be okay with exactly who I am. They have motivated me to keep going when I thought something was too hard, they showed me support and encouragement I had never known. My education and experience in this field have molded me into a strong, confident communicator. Although I do not have my next step lined up, I know that wherever life takes me I will be able to represent any organization or employer professionally and efficiently.

To those who may not be sure about their path in the Communication Studies Department, I encourage you to never give up. Even through tough group projects, never ending data inquiry assignments, and haunting clicker questions- you will find your chance to shine. You are valued as an individual and a communicator in this department, and that is something that has motivated me to succeed.

I look forward to what is to come after graduation, as well as the opportunity to remain an active and involved alumni member of UNCW. Although my career may take me to places across the world, I will still always be a beach girl at heart!

Congrats to the December 2016 graduating class! Although some of us may have been a little late to the party- we were always the life of the party!

CHEERS and Best Wishes!

-Elizabeth Guy

Now that a mere twelve days stand between me and graduation, I can’t help but think back on my experiences here at UNCW and it is a bittersweet feeling.

I remember sitting in the auditorium at my high school graduation and thinking, “Wow. This is it. This is the last time I will be here in this school as a student with all of these people.” Now that I am about to graduate college, this past semester I have found myself taking in every long trek down Chancellors, long line at Port City even though I used Tapingo, and actually find the sound of longboards going across the bridge kind of soothing.

When I first applied to UNCW I had my mind set on finishing my undergrad in biology and going to veterinary school. Needless to say…that plan didn’t happen quite as expected. I found myself struggling in school like never before and just couldn’t seem to pull myself out of the deep, dark pit my GPA had yanked me into. After a lot of soul-searching, goal reevaluating and restless nights, I decided to switch my major to Communication Studies.

Even though this path was not my initial goal, I am so happy I did it. I’ve met some of the greatest people in this major and have created lifelong friendships.

This entire undergrad journey has been a 3.5 year-long soul-search, honestly. You learn more about yourself every day, as cliche as that sounds, and get to create yourself. These past few years have definitely had their ups and downs but as I sit here writing this blog, tears in my eyes, one of my dogs on either side of me, and preparing for my first day at my first full-time job in a few days, I can honestly say UNCW has been overwhelmingly good to me and I am forever grateful.

For those of you in a rush to graduate, SLOW DOWN! There were moments when I felt like college would never end, but now I find myself envying the lost freshmen decked out in their UNCW gear simply because I know the journey they have to look forward to.

Forever yours,
Breanna Tenda

To The School by The Sea

15 days till graduation 2 more days of school and millions of memories I will never forget. A lot of people are like are you so excited to graduate? What are you going to do when you don’t have school? You’re so lucky you don’t have class anymore! What people really don’t know is…

I am going to miss the all nighters pulled in club Randall with my friends because we procrastinated.

I am going to miss waiting in line for an hour at hawks for Chick-fil-A. 

I am going to miss walking down chancellor’s yelling and waving to people I know.

I’m going to miss going to class and pretending I’m taking notes, but I’m really texting my friends the whole time.

I am going to miss the floods when it rains on campus.

I am going to miss the thunder sounds on the bridge as skateboarders come across.

I will miss going to MAW on a Tuesday night “just for fun”.

AND

I will never regret a Thursday night at Red Dogs.

 

UNCW has given many memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. This school is like a community that all care about each other!  The COM department especially is like a family. Choosing communication studies was not first on my list, but has definitely been one of the best decisions I have made in college. Waking up for that COM 200 8 am surely wasn’t ideal, but in the long run if that’s the worst thing I ever had to do.. Oh wait that 20 page conspiracy theory paper comes pretty close.

Even though not every class or assignment was my favorite it made me meet some of the greatest teachers and people I know today! I have loved every minute at UNCW and it has helped me become the person I am today! I am excited to take on the future and thankful for my little school by the sea!

CONGRATS CLASS OF 2016! MOMMA I MADE IT!

XOXO Kari Skillman

1,461 days since I left Germany to study in the U.S. – 1,461 days since I left my family, friends, and life behind to live my American Dream in Wilmington!

The 4 years at UNCW were an amazing experience that I will never forget! Being a COM studies major was the best decision E.V.E.R. because I got to meet amazing, creative, and the most authentic people in the department that have made an impact on me and my life. The Communication Studies department and especially the professors -some more than others- gave me confidence in myself and my future. The way professors cared about my future and career has touched me, and made me realize that I can accomplish anything that I want. I thank every professor for that, especially Dr. Weber and Dr. Persuit!

Integrated Marketing Communication in particular made me realize that Advertising is my way to go… It took a long time to know what exactly I want to do after graduation, but with many heart-to-hearts with professors, I realized to embrace this time. To embrace the unknown, the confusion about life, about myself, and most importantly… the confusion about my decisions for post-graduation; because at the end of the day, you will find your way!!

Being scared of and intimidated by the post-graduation time is natural and should be exciting. It is the first time to decide for yourself what YOU want to do – where YOU want to go, and – who YOU want to be.

I thank every person that came into my life during my time at UNCW and everyone who has helped me become who I am today. I am leaving this school with pride, as well as with a crying and smiling eye.

 

****WE DID IT! CLASS OF 2016****

Auf Wiedersehen and Goodbye, Seahwaks!

– Amaya

 

They say that college is supposed to be the best four years of your life, that college is what prepares you most for life in the real world. With graduation right around the corner, it is hard to believe that after all this time the end of school is near.

Through it all, I cannot imagine going through college without being a COM Studies major.

Communication is an essential part of life. As a COM Studies major, I have learned how to ‘manage mutual responding,’ to otherwise create and deliver messages across various contexts. Paper after paper, group project after group project, I have worked on assignments that apply to real life situations. Through the COM Studies Department, I have learned how to live by tikkun olam and contribute to the repair of the world, while also learning how to utilize and incorporate each of the core skills into my everyday life.

But most importantly, I have learned more about my life, my relationships, and myself. Each and every COM class has taught me why we do the things we do, the reasons why we react a certain way, or why we prefer one thing to another. I have learned how to step out of my comfort zone and have since become a very talkative people person. From my tight knit group of friends to the friends I have made through the COM Studies Department, the friendships I have made along the way will last a lifetime.

As I close the chapter on my time at UNCW, I look forward to the start of a new beginning. Through all the laughs and sleepless nights, I will never forget all of the wonderful, kindhearted individuals I got to call my chosen family. 

Best wishes,

Aris Harding

 

 

It seems like just yesterday I was hitting the snooze button to get me up for my 8:00am COM 200 class. I lay there debating if I really wanted to be a Communication Studies major or if I should just go back to sleep. Thank God I chose to roll of bed and make it to class that semester because choosing to be a COM major was the best decision of my college career.

Through the many classes I have taken in Strategic Writing, Integrated Marketing Communication, Advertising and Public Relations I have discovered so much about the world around me and have become more than enough prepared for a career in those fields. I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of all my professors and classmates. The Communication Studies Department community has become like a family to me now. I am certainly going to miss seeing familiar faces from my classes around campus and in Wilmington.

The opportunity to go to UNC Wilmington has truly brought me the best education, experiences and friends. I am undoubtedly ready to take the next step in my life, but I will never forget all the memories I’ve made at this school. Thank you to all those who have made my time here so magical!

 

 

All the best,

Madeline Therrell