"But it ain't no lie, baby bye, bye, BYE!"

August 2010: Freshman year with my bestie & roomie Lindsay (:

And just like that, I’m done. 

I walked out of the testing center this morning after taking my last final with a kick in my step (and maybe some tears in my eyes). I go to my internship this afternoon for the last time. On Friday, granted that all of my credits apply (which they should, but it’s a fear of mine), a Bachelor of Science: Communications, emphasis on Public Relations and Communication Studies will be posted to mySUU account. On January 5, when my husband goes to school for spring semester, I won’t be going with him. $20,000 (ouch) later, I have one hell of an expensive piece of paper and I’m considered smarter than some in this world. In May, I get to walk with my fellow classmates, enjoy graduation festivities, and receive my diploma from my department head. I’m a college graduate – 4 years of hardwork, determination and fun accomplised - I’m done!

August 2011: Sophomore year, ready for the welcome dance

When I was a senior in high school, I couldn't even imagine where I would be and what I'd be doing I after finishing college. I didn't know what I was going to get my degree in and even more importantly, what I was going to do with it. Now I know. The tears in my eyes leaving the testing center were for the memories and opportunities being at this university have given me. Southern Utah University isn’t your top notch Stanford or Harvard education. In some aspects, SUU can’t compete with Utah State, Dixie, or BYU.  Despite that, SUU has been perfect for me. I’m proud to be a T-Bird. I've had the opportunity to have real-life, hands on experience in my field that others might not have the chance to get at other universities. I've made the best of friends during my time here. My mom told me that when I went to college, the friends I was going to make would stay with me forever. That couldn't truer; my roommates and friends from freshman year are still my closest friends who know me the best. (With no school, how on earth am I going to make new friends?) Coming to SUU allowed me to meet my husband in the spring of 2012. What if I had gone to (god forbid) Utah Valley to get my degree? I never would have met Trevor, and my life would have gone a totally different direction. There were reasons why I came to SUU; maybe, somewhere in the universe, he was one of them.

August 2012: Junior year, headed to a football game with Adam

Here's what I'm going to miss about college: 
- having classes to fill my time; learning is addicting. 
- staying up late to work on assignments, papers, and brainstorming PR campaigns. 
- the chances I had to rub shoulders and become friends with some of the best and most inspirational professors on campus.
- Ellen.
- the communication department.
- working at the best on-campus jobs.
- the Copy Shop, my boss, and co-workers. (My last day of work in the Copy Shop is December 23rd, and I think I'm going to be a hysterical, pathetic mess.) 
- the Gerald R. Sherratt Library, which has been my home away from home for over three years.
- my comfortable lifestyle of go to school, go to work, and come home.
- the chance to take PR Campaigns again.
- the library administration, staff, and professors, who I can call my second family. I have lots of moms and dads here, people.
- considering myself a real-life adult. (Even though I'm married, I guess I haven't thought of myself as an adult.)
- friends that I've made over the past couple of years.
- making new friends.
- my internship(s).
- red Fridays and school spirit.
- Outtakes. I love their bread. (:

On that note, I'm not going to miss. . .
- group projects.
- staying up late to work on assignments, papers, and brainstorming PR campaigns (it's a love-hate relationship, obviously). 
- stupid "just to fill up your time" in-class and homework assignments.
- going onto “Rate My Professor” to find out who I should and shouldn't take, and yet still ending up with some really shitty professors.
- 3 really awful communication professors.
- graphic design students who come into the Copy Shop all hoity toity, thinking they know how to print stuff. Uh no, you're an idiot actually.
- the awkward language barrier with our foreign students.
- slipping and sliding all over campus in the snow and rain.
- SUUSA and their dumb activities (student life is actually where I think SUU lacks the most - sorry guys).
- our Provost.
- EDGE. (Thank the Lord I never had to do that.)
- living with roommates. 
- being poor.
- sports; I mean, I love watching football as much as the next guy, but they're not that great at a smaller university. We kind of suck.
- the awkwardness of my internship.
- MATH. Never again will I have to take a stupid math class. Holla!
- the bookstore. They're evil people who sell over-priced stuff and won't buy back even the most perfect textbook.

August 2013: Senior year (or what was supposed to be my senior year. . .)

If there is one thing that I have learned at SUU, especially during this last semester, it’s that there are bigger and better things out there. Don’t limit yourself to this little hole in the universe. Go and do, dream big, and work hard for that ideal job and lifestyle that you want. I feel bad for those people who stay in their hometowns and don't do much with their lives. Where’s the fun in that? Sure it’s safe and comfortable, but there’s no adventure, no new stories, no new anything! With my college degree, I have the potential to reach for the stars with new opportunities, challenges, and adventures. 

August 2014: Super-senior; final semester (:

So goodbye SUU, and hello graduated life. Here's to the next chapter in my life. . . in our lives. 4 years of my life are done and over, and I have no regrets about how it played out. SUU will always have a fond place in my heart. Shout-out to my supportive parents and husband, awesome professors, bosses, and friends for the past couple of years of support, love, and friendship. Now we just need to get Trevor finished with school so that we can get the hell out of dodge and onto California and makin' babies. *Note: my co-worker and dear friend Shannon both called me the most baby hungry person who doesn't really want a baby that they've ever met.* I was called on Tuesday about the job at Zion's Bank, and I'm pleased to announce that I'll be working as a teller (with really nice pay and hours) starting January 5. Here's to "squandering" away my degree. ;) JK, JK, lawlz; I'm actually excited to work as a teller while I'm looking for the perfect job, and to be financially supporting Trevor and myself as he's going to school. Hooray for not ending up on the street like a couple of bums with a really expensive piece of paper. Looking forward to the next couple of weeks relaxing and doing nothing!