Last Saturday I became part of a new network of graduates, “The Alumni Association.”

It feels so weird to say that I’m no longer a “student” at what is now my alma mater.  It feels weird to drive out of the town I’ve lived in for the last four years, and realize that I won’t be back there in August to start classes again.  It feels weird to pack up the room I’ve lived in for the last two years, and look back at an empty space.  It feels weird to say good-bye to the people who have become my family, and made my home away from home.

Graduation is bittersweet. While most of us are ready to commence, and move on to the next chapter, it’s hard to realize what’s actually happening. The idea of having a job-actually applying the knowledge you’ve worked so hard to “learn” through those crazy classes/exams/term papers-is exciting. However, the idea of leaving the unpredictable, fun, hectic, sometimes lazy, and security-filled college life-style is scary. 

Hopefully by this time you have a job lined up, or at least a plan as to where you want to go and how you’re going to get there. I know that I have another year of hard work, learning, and growing as a nutritionist ahead of me.  I also know that gives me one more year of exploring all the different areas and options available, to see which one interests me most.  This is kind of the idea behind the Dietetic Internship; getting experience in all areas (Clinical, Community and Food Service), to see what you want to focus on. Lucky for me, because at this point I wouldn’t know where to start.

Instead of thinking about all this right now, I’m headed on a vacation with my family in central (warm, sunny) Florida. Sounds much more relaxing and happy than thoughts of jobs, the real world, and life after college, right? Yes, I think so.

Congratulations Graduates!!

Posted by Mary Ellen Nunes at 05/23/2008 04:03:44 PM