I know I will not be able to fully articulate how thankful I am for these past 3.5 years at DePaul, but I can assure you that I have been greatly blessed in my time as a college student. Though my college experience has had its obstacles and uncertainties, it has also been full of joy. When I think of what has made my DePaul experience so memorable, I think of my involvement in Catholic Campus Ministry. CCM has felt like my home away from home; it has been the place that has welcomed me with open arms since my freshman year. I have loved every single event, retreat, and Mass that I have participated in. Also, I am convinced that CCM has the most loving staff and students at the university.
Because I am almost done with my undergrad, I have been reflecting a lot on what I’ve learned about myself and life in the past few years. I think the main thing I have learned to embrace- especially recently- is that most of life is living in the “gray area”. By that, I mean that we live most of our lives with some level of uncertainty. That can be scary (I certainly think so), but we still must live and thrive when it’s happening. As much as I like to meticulously plan out every step of my future, I have had to learn that I can’t account for everything, and so I need to find joy and peace in the unpredictability of life. It can be a hard lesson to learn, but I’m thankful for how I’ve grown in it during college.
If I had to offer any advice to new students, I would simply encourage them to enjoy everything that God puts in their path while at DePaul. I can promise that He will provide so many opportunities for growth, companionship, and happiness. So, please just take part in them while they last. You never know what He has in store for you. You might walk into the CCM one day and meet your future husband, like I did.
As for my plans after graduation, I am headed to law school in the fall. God is calling me to be a lawyer, and I’m so excited to bring the Vincentian Mission with me to law school. I will miss the CCM community with all my heart, but I know that the memories I’ve made here will last me a lifetime.
