Alright, I’m going to start this off by saying that I’m an engineer and a photographer. Writing…isn’t my strong suit. So, I’m going to do this a little differently.

The last couple of years have been absolutely incredible. Before I got here, I had this idea about what I wanted my “ideal” university experience to be like. There was a lot of stuff you’d expect, like “make friends” or “join a club” and, of course, “go to a football game at Beaver Stadium” (there are more, I promise!). What I didn’t really expect was to actually check every single thing off that list, and then check even more off that I didn’t know that I even wanted to do! There was always that thought that graduating in three years instead of four would limit the things I could experience during my time here. I couldn’t have been more wrong, and I’m glad!

So, here’s a rundown of the best things that happened to me during my time here at Penn State!

THON: The Heart of It All

Can’t have the Penn State experience without THON! I was lucky enough to be involved in THON in some capacity every year I’ve been at Penn State. Starting out on an FYC and later being a part of Onward State, I was able to see THON from two unique perspectives: both as a student volunteer and as a member of the media covering the event. Being down on the floor, amidst dancers, families, and THON volunteers, is always an incredible and humbling experience. There’s a kind of awe that comes with realizing just how many people’s lives are interwoven with THON. It’s a powerful reminder that we’re all part of something much bigger than ourselves.

Sports? Kind Of.

Of course, being a student and watching sports go hand in hand. Do I fully understand most sports? Nope. Did I still love going to games? Absolutely. Whether I was on the field with a camera for Onward State or just sitting in the stands with friends, some of my best memories came from those games.

Special mention to Dollar Dog Nights: I have no clue what the rules of baseball really are, but I think that’s because I spent most of those nights at the concession stands.

Too Many Events, Not Enough Time

Then there were the cultural events, and the orgs that put them together. From Holi to theatre shows to a cow on HUB Lawn, the fact that there was something for everyone left me in a state of decision paralysis. I could go watch a show put on by No Refund Theatre or drag a couple of friends out to a concert organized by SPA. Maybe going to Holi would be fun, but so would watching Battle of the Bands. Then it hit me — why not all of them? What’s the point of not actually experiencing all of these things? So…I did!

Joining the Onward State Family

Joining Onward State — even if I did it a little later in my university career — was hands-down one of the best decisions I’ve made. Getting to tell stories, photograph amazing moments, and work with people who are just as excited about the weird and wonderful things on campus as I am? Unbeatable.

I also really wanted to include a photo from the Onward State vs. The Daily Collegian flag football game! Of course, we beat them (not that it was ever in doubt), and even the skies celebrated our victory, clearing up and letting a rainbow shine through. They say there’s gold at the end of a rainbow — and while most of my photos are carefully planned, the one of the OS team below wasn’t. But I think this rainbow’s end perfectly represents both the people and the effect Onward State had on my experience at Penn State.

Special shoutouts to Joe, Keeley, Mikey, Hailey, and Bo (who’s already graduated ;-;)! Lord knows I peppered them with so many questions when I was first starting out, but they patiently gave me the answers I needed — all while letting me keep my creative freedom!

Finding My People Through Clubs

Another thing that really made my time here special was the clubs. Walking through the fall involvement fair out on HUB Lawn was always a blast — and every time I went, there was at least one club that made me do a double-take (for very different reasons, I’ll admit).

I started out with the Robotics Club, which gave me a solid intro to what being part of a club at Penn State was like, all without stepping too far out of my comfort zone. Then I joined the Pulsar Search Collaboratory and found myself diving into radio astronomy (who knew?). A little later, a friend of mine started the Quantum Computing Club, and I somehow ended up as part of the “core four” who helped run it from the start! And finally — saving one of the best for last — I joined Club Archery this year. I don’t think I’ve ever had more fun in a club before!

OK…Now The Feelings

Now, take a second to recover from the whiplash of jumping between the different ideas from above (I’m sorry!). Maybe cleaning up my ideas would’ve been a good choice, but they’re pretty accurate to the chaos running through my mind right now. There have been so many experiences, both good and bad, and it’s hard to really come to terms with the fact that around a month from now, it’ll all come to a close. I’m still half expecting to spend the summer at home and then come right back and take up my permanent residence right outside Halal Cart or Yallah. In a weird way, writing this column sort of helped drive home the fact that there are exactly 22 days (from when this goes up) until I’m done.

As scary as that is, it also helps me realize just how much I’ve grown as a person over the last three years! There’s the lesson about planning ahead, but also being prepared for unexpected twists. Or the lesson about really stopping and smelling the roses (when the weather allows it, of course). Maybe even the lesson about following your heart and keeping your eyes on the target (thanks, archery!). And more than anything else, the lesson is about learning from these lessons.

Every decision, no matter how small, contributed in some way to my university experience. Is that kinda terrifying? You bet! But I’m thankful that they happened, since I got to form a multiple-year-long experience that is uniquely my own.

A Little Advice

I think this is the part where I’m supposed to give out advice. But you can probably guess what it’s going to be!

Your time here is going to be filled with work. Some of it’s going to be tough. Don’t let that be the whole story. Try new things. Meet new people. Join the club that makes you raise an eyebrow. Go to the random event you saw on a flier. And most of all, listen to yourself (and every once in a while, your closest friends, too).

You get to write your own version of the Penn State experience. There’s no one way to do it — and that’s the best part.

Alright. That’s enough rambling from me. Go have fun. Take too many pictures. Eat something you might regret later. And definitely, definitely watch the sunset at the Arboretum.

WE ARE!!