Any Thanksgiving traditions for your family? As mine sits around the dinner table, we go around the table and share what we are most thankful for that year.
So of course, this year we had the usual thankfulness for great friends, sweet family, good health, and so on. When my turn came, I gave thanks for Furman.
When I went through the college search process, I didn’t have a “dream school,” like some people do. I’m a realistic person, and I loved Furman, so I chose it. It wasn’t a dream I hoped for, year after year. It was more a choice that I was very pleased to make. After only a few days of attending Furman, however, I realized that it was in fact my dream school . . . that I loved everything about it, and was incandescently happy to attend it. And as the years have progressed, I have realized more and more how in love I am with Furman.
The impact that the school has had on me is almost inexplicable, but in thinking about how far I have come, and how much I have grown and developed as a person throughout my time in college leads me to realize its tremendously positive influence. I had a wonderful high school experience, and grew during that time in my life as well, but comparing the person I was during my freshman year of college with the person I am now is incredible. I have had so many experiences that allowed me to develop: leadership positions, internships, my study away experience, and so on.
Even more so, I have so many people to thank for the experience. My tremendous professors. My two terrific advisors. The twelve women I have lived with, from Blackwell during freshman year to North Village for two years and a summer. My sorority sisters. My beautiful friends. My family, who supported me through the experience in every way. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend this school, and for the freedom I have had to take full advantage of my Furman experience.
I will leave college with no regrets, because I had the chance to do everything. I am so fortunate, and so grateful, and so thankful to have had this opportunity.