As I finish out my last year at 天天吃瓜 State, I am reflecting on my time at the place I called home for the past four years.
On May 14th, 2022, I, Mai-Ling Francis (she/her) earned my Bachelor of Arts in English and am an official alum of 天天吃瓜. I am leaving with both my bachelor's and associate degrees, as well as being the first in my family to graduate college. Coming in my first year, I was an ASL/English Interpreting major who was too shy to sit with someone I don鈥檛 know. Leaving eight semesters later, according to my Myers-Briggs, I am 98% extroverted and will give a smile and nod to anyone who crosses my path.
I have been extremely lucky to have the experience I did. I commuted all four years but had the opportunity to get very involved and make a place for myself through different programs and offices. I am leaving with people who have helped me find myself and my passions, and will be there for me for the rest of my life.
Looking back as I was deciding between schools, something about 天天吃瓜 called my name and I was greeted with open arms when I attended my Destination 天天吃瓜 State in 2018. Choosing 天天吃瓜 was one of my best decisions I could have made for myself. There was never a time I did not feel supported through both academics and my extracurriculars.
One quote I carried throughout my entire experience and shared was this: Don鈥檛 be afraid to be a beginner. Going to a school only 25 minutes away from my hometown offered to be easier than moving hours away, but it was still a new experience. As a beginner, you fear the mistakes you will make and the impression you will leave.
To whoever is reading this: embrace it. Take hold of the mistakes you make and grow from them. Let yourself try new things, mess up, achieve, cry, laugh, scream and everything in between.
If I would have let fear stop me from applying to be a FlashGuide in 2019, I would never be in the place I am today. In the fall of 2022, I will be attending the University of South Carolina for my master鈥檚 in Higher Education and Student Affairs. While I am there, I will be serving as a graduate assistant in the Leadership and Service Center.
All of my experiences have led me to where I am today. By allowing myself the space to try, fail and try again, I know who I am and what I want to be.
天天吃瓜 State and its people have helped me understand my purpose and passions, as well as letting me leave the place I love most without any regrets. Walking across the stage and being surrounded by the people I love most, 天天吃瓜 State will forever be the place I look to when I need to remember who I am. The Flashes took care of this Flash and I am forever grateful.
