Tag Archives: Senior Year

Spring Goes Faster than Fall

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By Avery Jackson

It has been less than one month of school, but already I’m wondering where the time went! I know many seniors feel the opposite, that graduation is a far off date in the future they will never reach, but to me, it couldn’t be closer.

Looking back on the previous three years at Baylor makes me realize I don’t want my stay here to end. Coming into college as a freshman is beyond exciting, but you feel as though you have forever left at your school. Your senior year sneaks up on you out of nowhere, and then you try to hold onto the experience as long as you can.

I’m savoring my last 15 hours of class, those late night runs for McDonald’s or pizza, and the cram sessions in the library with some of my favorite people.  After May, I won’t get to have these moments anymore.

College is an amazing opportunity to explore who you are as a person and to make incredible memories. Don’t waste your time here! Get out and enjoy!

To Future Torch Bearers

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By Patara Williams

To: Torch Bearers

RE: A Treasure

As I look forward to graduation, I glance in my rear view and see four wonderful years completed.

I have gleaned wisdom from wonderful friends, impeccable professors and loving citizens from this very community. Not to mention the fact that I did so at one of the most beautiful institutions on the Earth. These days will never be duplicated. My undergraduate time has come to a close.

Here is my plea to you:

Whatever you do, do not forsake any of it. Don’t miss the little things, like free meals on the Quad. Definitely don’t miss the big things like Homecoming. Most importantly, don’t miss the crucial things, like building life-long relationships.

Yes, academics are important, but at the end of the day…the most valuable thing that you’ll receive from this institution may not come from a diploma tube.

I’m different…totally different from who I was when I walked into the doors of Baylor University four years ago.

I can study. I have mastered my major. I can hold a conversation with a stranger. I can manage my time and money. My faith is stronger. I’m fearless. I’m devout. I know what I believe and why I believe it. I could keep going because the lessons are innumerable.

Simply said, I’m thankful for the opportunity I have had to embrace a legacy and leave one along the way. For those that come after me, please continue the legacy and carry the torch with much grace.

Thank you Baylor University.

Sic ‘Em Bears.

Patara Williams

Not the End, but Only a Beginning

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By Kilani Ju

As the semester comes down to its final weeks, so does my time here at Baylor. This month, I will be officially graduating from Baylor University. To say the word “graduating” still leaves me speechless. I remember as if it were yesterday…I was walking around campus for the first time, envisioning life as a Baylor student. Now, I walk around campus trying to soak in every moment I can. The little things I rarely noticed on a daily basis have my fullest attention now. Whether it’s simply taking a run around campus or eating lunch outside the SUB, I try to enjoy every day as much as I can. Looking back on my Baylor experience, I grew enormously as a person and experienced so many things I hadn’t experienced before, such as living on my own out of state.

Although I’m sad that I will be closing this chapter in my life, I know this is only the beginning. Finishing school is terrifying, but I’m excited and anxious to see where life takes me next. After graduation, I will be moving back to California and working while taking some time to figure out my next plan of action. I know for some it’s not ideally what you hope for after graduation (having a break), but I know there are others who will feel exactly how I feel—burnt out. It’s OK to give yourself a break. You deserve it. As the years go by, you’ll find it more challenging to make time for a break, and I believe it’s important to take time now rather than later. You have your whole future ahead of you to find success and accomplish your dreams. Don’t feel rushed or pressured to jumpstart your career! It’s OK to take a breather.

With that being said, I’ll leave you with some final words: Enjoy each and every moment of your life. No matter how stressed or busy you are, take time to enjoy your surroundings and what you get to do on a daily basis. Remember that each day that goes by is a day you can never get back. Live in the moment and enjoy every possible second at Baylor.

Sic ‘Em Bears Forever! 🙂

Last First Semester

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By Avery Jackson

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I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is already here…my last Thanksgiving as a collage student.

This past semester has been, in many ways, one of my most fulfilling semesters I’ve had in college. I have my core group of friends – people I can truly count on to be there for me no matter what. They have done so much to prove this, through actions and not just words.

My classes have emphasized what I have learned my past three years at Baylor. My strengths are obvious now, and I know what I truly love doing! I have had more projects than tests, and my projects are more than a pass or fail grade by a teacher. I am working with actual clients who need flyers, posters, videos and more. My work has to be strong, or my clients won’t be happy.

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I have also gotten the opportunity to sell my art, something that was just a dream a few years ago. It’s humbling to see my dream turn into reality.

When it hits you that it is the beginning of the end in college, you can’t help but want to slow down the graduation process. May is a long way away, but if this fall semester has shown me anything, it’s that time does fly when you’re having fun.

First of Many Lasts

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By Laura Teague

Today kicks off one of my favorite times of year on campus – Homecoming! As I’m sitting in Barfield Drawing Room writing this post, it just kind of hit me that this is my last Homecoming as an undergraduate. Preparing for Homecoming can be extremely tiring, and it’s so easy to just want the weekend to be over. Thoughts of free time fill your mind, like “After Homecoming, I’ll do this” or “Once Pigskin is over, I’ll have all this free time to do that.” However, I’m trying to ignore these thoughts, so I can experience this weekend to the fullest.

I have so many awesome memories from Homecoming, and I can’t wait to make more this weekend. But in the midst of it all, I’m trying to pause – to take a deep breath and remember how truly blessed I am to be a student at Baylor University, to look around at my friends and roommates and let them know how much they mean to me, to take in this last float all-nighter tonight and to perform our 2nd place Sing act with everything I have. Because once this weekend is over, I know I will want it back.

So whatever you are doing this weekend, whether it’s a football game your senior year, hanging out with your friends at someone’s house or just spending time with your family, approach it the same way. For you seniors in high school, things will look so different for you this time next year, and while it’s so exciting to see what the future holds, take time to appreciate where you are right now. I can’t wait for all of you to experience Baylor Homecoming as students. There is truly nothing like it in the whole world.

So I’ll leave you with this – one of my favorite quotes I’ve heard during my time at Baylor. As we all enter seasons of change, let’s remember to look forward to what’s ahead:

“Because of what Baylor has meant to you in the past, because of what she will mean to you in the future, oh, my students, have a care for her. Build upon the foundations here the great school of which I have dreamed, so that she may touch and mold the lives of future generations and help to fit them for life here and hereafter. To you seniors of the past, of the present, of the future I entrust the care of Baylor University.” – Samuel Palmer Brooks, Baylor President 1902-1931

Happy Homecoming!

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94 Days…Until Life Begins

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By Patara Williams

Where did the time go?!

On Friday, I will be attending my last After Dark (all university talent show) as an undergrad.

On Saturday, I will be taking the GRE (Graduate Records Exam), a glorified SAT-type test that is required in order to apply for Graduate School.

Next Wednesday, I will be attending a HIREABEAR job fair. Paying for one’s own rent is not fun, but it is a segue into grownup-hood.

In 94 days, I will be graduating from Baylor University!

Last week, I dreamed that I was staring into a mirror with my cap and gown on…anxious much Patara?

I’ve recently found myself overusing the phrase, “If I knew then (freshman year), what I know now…”

I was the epitome of stubborn as a freshman. I knew that I would never change my major, I knew that I would maintain with a 4.0 GPA, I knew that I would go to a Texas medical school and I definitely knew I would graduate in 8 semesters.

I knew wrong.

My four and a half (yes, I’m elderly) years as an undergrad have slapped me in the face on innumerable occasions. The personal timeline that I drew out for myself told me what I would do, when I would do it and how I would get to the point where I wanted to be. However, it didn’t control for the learning experiences that I would inadvertently encounter.

Along the way, I have learned what I do not: like, agree with, believe in and so on. The Patara that I knew freshman year is totally different from Patara that I know now.

She now knows that life will throw curveballs at you, really fast ones.

She now knows that her life may not work out the way she planned, but will eventually end up magnificent.

And she now knows the essence of a Baylor education.

So, she tells you to:

Embrace your time as a student. Challenge yourself with opposing viewpoints. Question what you believe, so that you can know why you believe it. Learn to listen to others; it means much more than just giving advice or empty feedback. Don’t be afraid to spend time getting to know who you are because you’ll be forced to reckon with the perceptions of the rest of the world. Enjoy your time here because pretty soon you’ll be saying, “If I knew then what I know now.”

Victory Lap

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By Avery Jackson

Senior year has finally come! I’m on what some people call a victory lap – this means that it took me five years instead of four to graduate. However, I am no less excited!

I spent my summer as a nomad in Valparaiso, Indiana, working for a non-profit called Kids Alive International. This summer, I wore many hats! I created online newsletters, used my graphic design skills, took photos, wrote and edited stories, made donor presentations and did many hours of research on corporate matching gifts. I did the vast majority of the impact reports on both the countries we serve in as well as our previous site projects and fundraising events. I loved every minute!

In addition to the 40 hours I spent in the office, I also thrived outside of it as well. I made friends and explored Chicago, Wyoming and even Florida. I also had some much-needed family time with my parents and three youngest siblings, rode horses and trains, swam in the great lakes and even managed to squeeze in some concerts.

However, during my three months of summer, I stayed in SEVEN different homes. I basically lived out of my suitcase. That was an adventure in itself!

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I loved getting to spend time with my siblings!

Driving with my dad and my fearless feline, Jezber, back to Waco from Indiana was a relief. Baylor has really become my home. I began to feel excited and energized the closer I got to my art-filled apartment. After my fourth major internship, I now know that I have many of the skills I need to survive in the “real world.”

Having a Sibling at Baylor

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By Abby Loop

I’m currently a senior, and I have always enjoyed experiencing Baylor with my friends. This year however, my sister enrolled as a freshman. Having your sibling with you in college might be an inconvenience for some students, but for me, my year has become better.

Having family with you at Baylor can make those homesick days a little more bearable, and it’s fun to teach and learn from one another about different Baylor traditions.

When my sister started her freshman year, she was nervous, and I thought I was going to have to play tour guide for a while. However, this experience has strengthened our relationship and allowed us to connect on a different level. While she made many friends, we started spending more time together than we have in a long time.

From the Homecoming bonfire to football games, we’ve met up at events and introduced our friend groups to each other. We also try to meet up once on weekends. While siblings can be annoying at times, it’s great to have them around when you need them.

So, if you have a sibling at Baylor, be glad you have someone to help you adjust to college life. It can be a good thing that they’re at school with you. Besides, by going to the same school, you won’t be rivals and can root for the best team together. That’s an added bonus!

Sibling

Senior Year Shenanigans

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By Sophia Cooper

I’ve had some great Homecoming experiences at Baylor!  My freshmen year was memorable because a thunderstorm struck Waco during the K-State football game, and we all got drenched!.

Freshman Year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sophomore year, I was able to share the experience with my family from California.

Sophomore Year with my sister Katrin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then last year, my best friend Eleanor came down from University of Michigan.

Junior Year with My Friend Eleanor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All of those great times pale in comparison to this past weekend of my senior year.

I was blessed to be chosen by the Society of Women Engineers as a Homecoming queen candidate. Taking a break from my normal “nerd-dom,” I curled my hair and wore a formal evening gown at the presentation of the nominees at Pigskin Revue and again during the Homecoming parade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Representing my organization was such an honor, and it was great to show the world that female engineers do exist!  One of my favorite mechanical engineering professors drove me in the parade in his convertible; I owe him big time for waking up at 6 a.m. on a Saturday!  As great of an experience it was to be a nominee, my favorite part of the weekend was being able to share it with my parents.  They flew out from California just to see their youngest daughter play dress up!

To top it all off, we destroyed Iowa State 71-7 in the final Homecoming in Floyd Casey Stadium.  I got to sit with my parents as we watched the scoreboard blow up, cheering loudly and doing Sic ‘Ems non-stop.  The weather stayed warm (despite the threat of thunderstorms and 40 degree nights), and it was the best senior Homecoming I could have asked for!  I can’t wait to come back next year as an alumna, although I will miss the free ticket to the football game!

Senior Year Homecoming Game

Welcome Home

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By Patara Williams

The Baylor campus exudes the sweet aroma of Homecoming, something I hope you’ll get to experience in the upcoming years. Everything seems more magnificent during the entire week. I even found myself excited to turn in my homework, simply because it meant I was one assignment closer to Homecoming.

Bonfire

This includes yelling, screaming, Sic ‘Em-ing, hugging and crying.

One-thousand plus degrees of wrenching heat lies before us as we vow to destroy the opposing team. Parents, students, alumni and friends all gather around to celebrate this joyous night as we prepare for the upcoming game against Iowa State.

Brand new freshmen gaze amazedly as smoked embers flutter. Graduating senior reflect, teary-eyed, on all of the bonfires they’ve witness as they plead for the flame to never extinguish.

This is my fourth and final bonfire. My tummy twists and my eyes tear. So many flames and so many parades have been part of my Baylor journey, and unfortunately, it’s coming to a close. Cherish your days as a Bear. Cherish your friends, your professors and your experiences. There’s nothing more exciting than the time you’ll spend in college.

Freshman Year Bonfire Experience

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parade

Experience the parade. Watch it or walk it, and leave a legacy on Fifth Street in the heart of campus. This event is not platitude; it’s extraordinary, and that’s no hyperbole.

It’s the oldest and largest collegiate homecoming parade in the WORLD. Yes, you heard me right, and I pride myself in participating in it sophomore, junior and senior year. I’ve done everything from ride green and white striped bikes covered in balloons to dancing the Charleston for several miles. It’s an experience like no other, and to walk with other Bears from all over the world tops it all. I look forward to the day that I return to watch new Bears walk in my shoes.

That’s the center of my joy. I know what holds all the Bears together…we all have the same blood typ: G2 positive, aka Green and Gold. I look forward to the day that you too Little Bear will see the fire, walk upon Fifth and test positive for Green and Gold blood. See you soon!

Bleed Green and Gold. Bleed Baylor.