Gonzaga has been a place of discovery for me. I learned about myself, made new relationships and experienced so many moments I wouldn’t trade for anything. I’m incredibly grateful to the Gonzaga community at large for being such a formative four year experience in my life.
One of the most fundamental truths I’ve learned is that what you make of your time at an institution whether at Gonzaga, or college, is entirely up to you and how you choose to act and spend your time.
Opening yourself up to others and opportunities is necessary in making your experience as enjoyable as possible. Choosing to venture outside of your comfort zone, talking to people you haven’t talked to before, attending school games and signing up for as many clubs as you can are essential ways in which you can make your experience as excellent as you want.
As a senior who will soon be graduating, my biggest regret at Gonzaga is not taking advantage of more opportunities, especially at sports events. Attending football, basketball and soccer games are some of the best ways to have a good time and make new friends.
When it comes to choosing what clubs to do, it is vital that you choose the ones that interest you and will make you happy, rather than participating in the clubs you think colleges will want to see in your applications. To this end, taking initiative to be a part of the opportunities that interest you in your high school community is more than enough.
Additionally, picking the classes that will be challenging, but also finding a balance with classes you enjoy is the key to success at Gonzaga. My favorite classes have been the electives I picked, including Music Appreciation, Journalism Writing, Political Science and Lakota History. Including these classes in my schedule along with a few AP classes may l be difficult but that still align with your interests is the best way to create a schedule that really helps you to find yourself and to lean into deciding what you want to major in in college.
The most important thing I learned at Gonzaga that I will never forget is that the simple things matter.
Holding the door for the person entering the building behind me, flashing a classmate or teacher a smile in passing in the halls or having a conversation with the person that sits next to me in class all matter. They take minimal effort, so I tend to underestimate their significance and impact on others. These little interactions can mean a lot, and Gonzaga helps me to see that more and more every day. I am excited that I carry with me what I learned at Gonzaga, to make new, lifelong friends in the next chapter of my life.