As I get ready to graduate from Seton Hall, I realized that college has meant far more to me than simply earning a degree. Over these past four years, I have grown so much as a person.
SHU was never my first choice, but I will never forget the first time I visited campus. I knew from that moment on that this was where I wanted to be and that soon this once unfamiliar place would be my second home.
Before I started college, I did not really like school. To be honest, I hated school and I feared that college was just going to be another 4 miserable years. But when I started at SHU, everything changed. I was more interested in my classes. I was more motivated and actually started to enjoy learning. For the first time, school became something I genuinely enjoyed.
The friends I made here have been a huge part of what made my time here so special. I remember moving into Boland Hall, room 3007 and meeting my roommate, Paige. It felt like we'd already known each other for years.
From the start, I was surrounded by people who had my back and encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone and try new things. I knew early on that these people would become lifelong friends. Seton Hall also gave me the opportunity to become much closer to my sister, Alex, when she came to Seton Hall the year after me. Suddenly, my friends became her friends, and we ended up doing almost everything together.
We both joined the Club Volleyball team and we got the chance to play together again. Not only was I able to stay connected to the sport that I loved, but I was able to do it with my sister and that is something I will always treasure. Joining the team freshman year gave me a strong sense of community early on. It wasn’t just about playing volleyball; it was about being a part of a group of girls that supported me on and off the court.
My professors at SHU have also been really important to me. Professor Krus and Professor Lhowe really made a difference in my time here and had a lasting impact on me. I had at least one class with them every semester and was able to get to know them more over time. I could tell that they truly wanted to see me succeed. They consistently pushed and challenged me to improve and were always there when I needed guidance. Their dedication to their students made a real difference in my academic experience here. But they did more than just teach material. They helped me grow as a student and as a person. Because of them, I have confidence in myself and am ready to take on this next part of my life.
While my experiences at Seton Hall have been shaped by my friends and professors, none of it would have been possible without my parents. They have been my biggest supporters throughout my entire life. No matter what I needed, I always knew they were there for me. They have worked incredibly hard to give me every opportunity I have had. Their constant support, encouragement, love, and belief in me have played the biggest role in shaping who I am today. I truly would not be the person I am without them, and I am beyond grateful for everything they have done for me. Thank you, Mom and Dad.
If I could go back and do it all over again, I would not change a single thing. While part of me wishes there were a reset button so I could experience it all again, I know that what made these four years so special is that they happened exactly the way they did.
SHU gave me more than an education—it gave me friendships, experiences, and a new perspective on learning and life. I leave here not only with a degree, but with a deeper understanding of myself. SHU has been and will always be my second home. And for that, I am forever grateful.
Julianna Griesbauer is the head editor of The Setonian’s Graphics. She can be reached at julianna.griesbauer@student.shu.edu.
