It's senior year and I'm getting older, so it has come time to start reflecting on my Pacific experience. More specifically, I want to highlight the specific resources that have defined my experience in college. As an Ambassador, we make it a goal to highlight and share the "Pacific Experience." Once I cross the stage, I'm sure I'll look back at the mistakes I have made and the achievements that I have accomplished. The most influential things that have stood out in my college experience have been my professors in my core classes, the friends that I have made in different organizations on campus, and the opportunities that I have taken.

I would have never guessed that my professors would have been as influential as they have been on my education. Being a Humanities major, more specifically an English major, is not an easy task because of the content that we study and the assignments that are given to us. After taking three classes with the same professor, I met with him in his office and he told me that he wished he had pushed me harder because he could see my potential. These words meant so much to me because in that moment I knew that there are faculty members who care deeply and personally about my education. He taught me new skills and new ways to approach the topics I read. I could not thank him enough for the skill set he offered me. I have had many meaningful conversations with this professor that I hope will stay with me for a lifetime.

Another professor in the English department consistently pushes her students, even if they aren't English majors, and because I fear her disappointment I put in the extra effort in her classes, which paid off at the end of the semester. Yet another professor noticed that I hit a rough patch in the semester and if it weren't for her reaching out and just wanting to talk and offer advice about life's struggles I may not have survived. These professors have left a profound and lasting impression on me. The personal connections not only helped me to build my network but their constant motivational teaching has pushed me and my peers to discover the full extent of our capabilities. They prepare us to be the best within our field. These few experiences have stood out and motivated my studies within my core classes because my professors truly care about me.

College would be the glorious experience that it is without friends. Keeping in touch and hanging out can be hard if you have friends in different organizations or just if you know people from your classes, so how do you pick who to hang out with? This has always been a problem for me because I highly value my friendships. My best advice is if you see someone you haven't hung out with in a while, try to schedule a coffee date or a trip to a restaurant that you haven't tried. I can say that, by making that effort, I made some really good friends within my minor program. Now we'll stay up late doing homework or grab a beer together our evening classes.

I found a family at work being a Student Ambassador. Some of my closest friends are in the Ambassador organization and without some of them I would have emotionally drowned on multiple occasions. My teammates in sports have given me a support system that never fails. I love that we just constantly want to have a great time playing on the court with each other, and we love relaxing on the weekends. Traveling and playing volleyball just wouldn't be the same without the guys I play with. Then there are both my fraternities where I share many laughs, late night conversations, lasting memories, and a few best friends. With me being as social as I am, I have forged many connections within my network that have given me countless smiles and days to remember.

I believe a necessity of gaining the full college experience is meeting new people, even if you don't initially want to. Through my networking, I have met some incredible people that I never thought I'd be friends with, which could also pay off in the future because you never know when you'll need a connection, even if it's something as simple as needing a dentist.

My experience would also not be what it is without the opportunities that I have taken. One opportunity I took is writing for Odyssey because It allows me to express my ideas in a public domain and helps build my resume if I ever need it. I attended a poetry reading that the English department hosted which was a defining experience for me because for a few moments I got to be a nerd and share my favorite poems. During my fieldwork as a student teacher, one of my students asked me to help out with the speech competition at the high school. The smallest opportunities will lead to endless possibilities.

All in all, my professors have truly given value to my education between personal conversations, sharing their knowledge, and pushing my critical thinking abilities... I mean, where else would you ever get to go on a sailing trip or go to the Opera because the Humanities department sponsors the trip? I thank my friends for their thoughtful contribution to sharing lasting memories. The experiences at Pacific are unlike any other and the opportunities that each student has can be life-changing, so don't miss out on any chance you have to improve your sometimes overwhelming time in college. Pacific offers so much that it is so easy to get lost in the chaos of being a college student, but in the end, it's all worth it.