EYES ON THE PRIZE
From left to right: Val Larios, Me, Monique Gandy
Reflecting on college growth
College is hard. But you didn’t need to hear it from me to know that it’s the truth.
It’s a whirlwind of challenges and triumphs, a balancing act between academic pressures, social dynamics, and personal growth. Amidst the late-night study sessions, the juggling of extracurricular activities, and the quest for a sense of belonging, it can sometimes feel like you’re navigating a maze with no clear exit. Yet, it's precisely these trials that forge resilience and shape the unforgettable college experience. Before I could fully appreciate all of that, I first had to navigate the journey of getting to college.
I always knew that I would end up at UNC-Chapel Hill. Since the day I was born, I bled Carolina blue. I was indoctrinated into the Tar Heel fan base at a very young age by my dad’s side of the family. I grew up going to UNC basketball games and football games, decked out in my finest Tar Heel threads. I would always leave feeling deeply in my soul that I belonged there.
“Just keep your eyes on the prize puddin’,” my dad would say to me. And that’s just what I did.
I’m currently entering my junior year at UNC, and just saying that out loud makes my inner child squirm with happiness. But it wasn’t easy. The journey has been filled with its share of challenges and learning moments that I had to overcome, but I kept my mind set on reaching where I wanted to be in the end. I’ve been thinking about a conversation I had with my friends last week where the topic of discussion was, “If you could go back to freshman year of college, what is one thing you would change?”
At first, I started calling out a billion different things that I would change. From embarrassing situationships and breakups to frustrating roommates and regretful financial decisions, the list just kept going on and on. After a wave of embarrassment left my face cringing with discomfort, I asked myself, “What would my life be like now if I DID go back and change one thing?” As I considered this, I realized that each challenge and mistake I encountered contributed to the person I am today.
Changing any of these experiences might have altered my path in ways I can’t fully predict. Perhaps I wouldn’t have developed the same level of empathy or perseverance, or I might have missed out on some of the invaluable lessons that came from overcoming adversity.
While my journey at UNC has been marked by many embarrassing and silly moments, I have also collected a series of accomplishments that underscore my passion for creativity. I’ve had the privilege of leading the web development team at The Daily Tar Heel’s 1893 Brand Studio. I participated in a winning campaign for an iconic local restaurant’s rebranding. I interned as a Media and Communications Associate at the Eastern Music Festival. I studied abroad in Galway, Ireland as part of the UNC Arts Criticism program, and I interned at the Galway International Arts Festival and engaged with over 13,000 visitors.
If you told me two years ago that I would have accomplished all of that before my junior year of college, I wouldn’t believe you. But here I am, still growing, learning, and embracing the unexpected twists and turns along the way.
I’ll end with offering my freshman self a piece of advice: embrace the journey with even more openness and curiosity. College years are some of the best years of your life. Do not regret the small decisions you make, because no matter the outcome, they shape you as a person and offer impactful lessons that you’ll carry with you. Just keep your eyes on the prize, and you’ll end up where you need to be.
