Fordham University has been shining in its spring glory for the last few weeks. The leaves on the trees have a bright and healthy green look. Arthur Avenue is bustling with activity. Eddies lawn is packed full of students pretending to do homework. Despite my pollen allergies, I’ve always liked this time of year because Fordham feels at its best. An energetic environment full of possibilities. But for me and my fellow Class of 2025 members, our time here is coming to a close.
A movie I recently watched deals with this theme. One of my roommates put the film “American Graffiti” on our television and I ended up watching it. The movie is about a group of high school seniors enjoying the last night in Modesto, California, before going to college or other parts of their lives. Throughout the film, one of the teenagers, played by Richard Dreyfuss, drives around the town and reminisces about his high school days. At the film’s start, he is nervous about leaving, but by the end, he gets on the airplane and flies away to his future. Honestly, this was not my favorite movie, but it resonated with me; while I have not been cruising around the streets of Belmont in a nice car like the movie’s characters, I have been reflecting on what this period of my life has meant to me.
My first few days at Fordham were somewhat chaotic. Going to my first classes and trying to make friends was overwhelming, and I felt miserable. Then a major flood happened on campus and the whole university shut down. I remember thinking that things could only get better from there, and they did. As the semester continued, I got into my classes and learned a lot; I forced myself to get out of my dorm room and meet people. That strategy paid off, and I met people who eventually became some of my best friends. While my Fordham experience had a chaotic start, coming to a new environment helped me grow, and by my sophomore year, I was very happy here.
One choice I made back then that paid back in dividends was to sign up to write articles for The Fordham Ram. I was looking for a community to join on campus that would help me meet more people and let me engage in my hobby of writing. I loved being able to see my byline in an actual newspaper, so I continued to write and decided to apply to join the staff. I passed my interview and became an assistant opinion editor for Volume 104. Through this position, my passion for good writing grew as I got to read other students’ opinion pieces. Then, in Volume 105, I had the opportunity to grow as a writer and journalist by being the Editorial Director. The role helped me feel engaged with my community and appreciate journalism’s power on a group of people. During my years at the Ram, I met a whole community of people that I quickly felt comfortable being a part of. I think my friends outside of The Ram thought I was a little crazy when I told them about the long Tuesday nights we would have editing on InDesign. Yet, those late nights with the other members of The Ram staff were filled with teamwork, numerous jokes and wonderful conversations, which made it all worthwhile. I will always be grateful to this organization for allowing me to grow professionally and as a person.
Like the characters in “American Graffiti,” we seniors are almost at the moment when we say goodbye to our friends and move into our post-grad futures. At this moment, I’m feeling a little nervous and scared about the changes ahead, but I’m also excited. While change can be nerve-wracking, it’s a necessary part of life. As much fun as college has been, there is so much more to experience in the world outside of Rose Hill. So let’s not end this chapter of our lives with melancholy about leaving Fordham. Let’s celebrate all we’ve accomplished over the last four years and be excited for all the possibilities to come.
