And just like that four years is over in the blink of an eye. As a freshman coming onto campus in 2021, I was frightened, excited, and anxious, all wrapped in one. Eager to get involved, I started working at Dakota Student as a General Reporter for the News section. Being hired as the Editor-in-Chief my sophomore year was a dream, and the past three years in this position has been a pleasure from watching young reporters blossom to witnessing the student body’s growth since the pandemic.
As my time at UND comes to a close and I move onto the next chapter in life, I want to share three pieces of advice that I have learned and grown from throughout my journey at UND and the Dakota Student.
First, seek out new experiences and knowledge. Graduation is quickly approaching for some, and for me, it does not seem real yet. As it starts to settle in, many seniors are faced with the questions: What are your plans after college? Do you have a job lined up? And will you be staying in the area? I certainly do not have most of those answers, but one thing I know for sure is that I do not want to stop learning new things and growing into the person I am meant to become. Whether your dream is to travel the world or settle back down, every day is a new day we are blessed to have and spend on this beautiful Earth.
Second, find your home away from home. Aside from the Dakota Student, I am also a member of the Greek community on campus, and within those two organizations, I have found friends and support that I now know I needed to make it through these past four years. Whether it is a club, sorority or fraternity, sports team, or even a study group, I am a firm believer that it is the people not the place that make somewhere feel like home. From living in the dorms to renting my first house and old friends to new friends, it is the people who make you feel most like yourself and embrace one another that make you feel at home.
Third, put yourself first. I had a professor that once said there is no assignment worth more than your mental health. That piece of advice is something that has stuck with me and I have now applied to most aspects of life, such as a job, a boyfriend or girlfriend, a homework assignment, or a friend, you name it. You should also take care of your mental and physical health, and do not burn yourself out because your time here is too short.
With that being said, I encourage everyone to get involved, do not be afraid of putting yourself out there, be unapologetically yourself, try new things, and embrace every moment because before you know it, you will be walking across that stage with your diploma in hand and a whole new chapter to explore.
Thank you to the student body, the Dakota Student staff, and the University for the past four years, and it has been an honor to serve as the Editor-in-Chief of the Dakota Student.
Kelsie Hildebrand is the Dakota Student Editor-in-Chief. She can be reached at [email protected].
