First day of classes.  And for some of you seniors, it’s the last first day of classes.  Well, unless you go to grad school.

Aside from all of the social events and Greek life functions I was involved with, the classes were just as memorable at Westminster College.  One of the main reasons I chose WC was because of the small class structure.  For those who know me, I love being in the know, want to be told if I’m doing something incorrectly and praised if I’m doing something correctly. The last attribute is something I should probably work on but that’s me so take it or leave it.  But truly the professors at WC did all of those things, which really helped shaped my work ethic and overall being as a student and now as a professional.

I started Westminster College as an education major with a Spanish minor.  That’s right.  I wanted to teach high school Spanish, but I quickly learned that I did not have the patience (and still would not) to teach the youth.  Especially teenagers.  I know if there was any attitude or smart-mouthing going on, I would give it right back and then probably get fired.  So I switched to a public relations major but still kept the Spanish minor.  Now I see there’s a social media minor – quite jealous of that!

I’m so envious of those who get to start classes at Westminster today.  I’m envious of the freshman for beginning what is to be the best four years of your life, of the sophomores and juniors because you are really getting into your major/minor and making wonderful connections with classmates and professors, and super envious of you seniors.  It was such a bittersweet time starting that final year, knowing it was coming to a close but also sort of being able to do whatever the heck you wanted since you were on top of the WC food chain.

So many of the things I learned in my classes at Westminster College have been applicable in the real world and especially in my current job.  From the freshman year writing and public speaking courses to the required gym classes (I took WC’s version of water polo – #SPORTS), to the cluster courses, and your required major classes, I am grateful for the professors I had, the connections I made, and the real-life experiences and coursework Westminster  offered.  Please don’t take any of it for granted!

And what’s really great is seeing all of my fellow Titans on social media all across the country with epic jobs and knowing that what helped us get these jobs is the education we received at Westminster College.  I know the running joke will always be “$40,000 a year blah blah,” and while I’m in debt up to my eyeballs, I wouldn’t trade my education at WC for anything!

So as I sit here writing this, listening to Kanye’s Late Registration and thinking back to my first day of class in 2007 (crazy!), I wish all current Westminster Titans best of luck on your first day of classes and hope all of you have a wonderful school year!  Remember – that’s why you’re really there. 🙂

*The picture at the top of this post is me with two very dear and first friends of mine at Westminster – freshman year in Shaw.