While getting an education here at Virginia Wesleyan University, or anywhere else for that matter, may not be all fun or may not always seem like it’s for you, it is important to always stay focused on why you’re here. I came into Virginia Wesleyan University in the Fall of 2018 and have since been here through things like a cyber attack that threw us all for a loop and left us unable to access the internet other than for a few hours a day in the library from a mobile hotspot during finals; and through, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic and all of the chaotic virtual learning and restrictions that came along with it when we returned to campus.
I’ve found that throughout my college career, I tended to spend a lot of time being pessimistic and focusing on things that were out of my control while in the moment. Looking back now, I wish I had spent more time focusing on the fact that throughout a career as a student at Virginia Wesleyan University, we all have the unique opportunity to learn firsthand from professors who are experts in their field, as well as to work with students who may view the world completely differently than we do.
While I am quite excited to graduate and move on to the next chapter of my life, I know that I will miss the great people that I have met during my time here as well as many of the once in a lifetime opportunities that I have been fortunate to participate in during my time here.
That is another key thing to note in a reflection on a career at Virginia Wesleyan. While attending a smaller/ growing school isn’t always glamorous, there is always an abundance of opportunities available to us that simply would not be possible at a large institution. Looking back these are likely a reason that my perspective of education has changed while I’ve been here as I’ve learned that anyone can use their position in the world and their area of study/ expertise to create and foster change.
I think that everyone owes it to themselves to attempt to broaden their horizons during a career at VWU or wherever you may end up by the time you graduate. Join one of our great student organizations, join Greek life if that’s something you’re interested in, take a class or two outside of your area of study, go for that study away course. It might just change your entire perspective on education and the broader world around you.
By Dalton Powers
dmpowers@vwu.edu
