Gratitude and Graduation

As I reflect on my academic experience thus far, I am filled with gratitude. Gratitude for the support I’ve received along the way, for the skills I’ve learned, for the knowledge and wisdom imparted to me, and for the values that I prioritized and strengthened.

               My family members have always been my biggest fans. Even when they didn’t fully understand my work as a student, they cheered me on from afar and let me know that they were proud of me. My mother was especially supportive of me, providing encouragement and emotional support when I was overwhelmed. My partner drew from an apparently infinite well of patience over the course of my education, and especially this last semester, as he encouraged me and supported me while making an effort to understand my world and my work. I am appreciative of the friends that I made as an undergraduate, and for the ability to talk passionately (and occasionally complain about) both our collective and separate academic experiences with them. McNair gave me the opportunity and tools to create my professional identity within and outside of the world of academia, and my directors provided support in any way they could while investing in our professional and academic development. I am thankful

for the safe and productive learning environment that the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire strives to create for its students. Finally, I am thankful for the priceless knowledge and wisdom that my professors have imparted to me, especially my research mentor Dr. J. Muehlenkamp. She was invaluable in having someone with experience and knowledge to “bounce ideas off of” whenever necessary, and in meeting students where they are while mentoring.

Throughout my academic career, I’ve learned to hone and prioritize certain values. The value that became most important to me was humility. I’ve learned that it’s okay to be wrong, that people (including myself) are wrong often, and that it’s important to change your mind once presented with evidence that you are wrong. I’ve learned the importance of humbling oneself to take another’s perspective, especially when disagreeing with someone. Humility is invaluable and you can learn so much when pride is not limiting you. I’ve also learned how to persevere in a healthy way. Often, people think that perseverance comes with suffering, but it doesn’t have to. By learning how to prioritize, manage your time, and take care of yourself, you can persevere even when you feel like you may have a mountain of responsibilities. Planning ahead and managing your time also decreases the risk of burnout. Finally, I’ve learned the importance of being reliable. This doesn’t just mean showing up when you’re needed; this means completing the work that is asked of you in a timely manner, being communicative and responsive, and ensuring that collaborative efforts go as smoothly as possible by working with team members.

               I will carry these priceless lessons and experiences with me as I enter the next stage of my life; the workforce while I wait for graduate school acceptance. This will allow me to continue to build on and hone these skills and values, and to treasure my experience at UWEC and with McNair.