By Sarah McMinn, Contributing Writer
As the spring semester nears its middle, graduating seniors at Saint Leo University are experiencing a whirlwind of emotions.
For many, this marks their final semester before embarking on new journeys beyond college. Two seniors, Emma Dedmon, a communication major, and Makayla Bech, an English major, share their thoughts on returning to campus, their experiences at Saint Leo, and their anticipation for graduation in May.
For Emma Dedmon, stepping onto campus for her final semester was an exciting moment.
“I feel so close to the finish line now, so I just want to make the most of my last semester and actually enjoy it,” Dedmon says.
Makayla Bech shares similar excitement, but admitted to feeling some initial anxiety before excitement could settle in.
“Once I got into the swing of my classes, I started to get really excited about my future and the work that I am going into, especially because I am going to graduate school after receiving my bachelor’s,” Bech rebuttals.
The feeling of a “last first day” was significant for both students. Emma found the experience enjoyable, especially since she only had one class left before graduation, allowing her to ease into the semester without the usual stress. Makayla, on the other hand, was thrilled by the academic opportunities ahead.
“My professors went over the syllabi, and I found out that we will have a lot of creative projects this semester,” Bech said enthusiastically.
Reflecting on their time at Saint Leo, both students had moments they wished they had approached differently. Demond expressed a desire to have gotten involved on campus earlier, realizing later how much engagement enriched her college experience.
“Being further engaged on campus made me feel more like part of the Saint Leo and business community,” Demond explained.
In contrast, Bech wished she had been more academically focused during her first two years but is proud of how she turned things around.
“Learning from my past mistakes, I have become very committed to my academics and feel like I have a bright future ahead of me,” she said.
Despite their regrets, both seniors feel satisfied with their level of involvement on campus. Demond prioritized joining clubs and extracurricular activities, especially in her junior and senior years, despite being a commuter student.
Makayla found her sense of community through organizations like Theta Phi Alpha and Sigma Tau Delta, which strengthened her connection to her major and the English community.
As they prepare for graduation, emotions are running high. Demond feels a mix of excitement and nervousness, acknowledging the pressure of transitioning into a new chapter.
“Graduating college will start a whole new chapter of my life, which puts pressure on me to work hard and succeed. I have a lot of big goals for myself,” she said.
Meanwhile, Bech is excited to start graduate school and commit to her passion for creative writing.
“I can really commit myself to creative writing for the long term and become closer to my goal of being a novelist,” she shared.
With just a few months left until graduation, Emma and Makayla are embracing their final semester with gratitude and anticipation.
Their reflections highlight the mixed emotions that come with closing one chapter and stepping into the unknown, but both are ready to make the most of their last moments at Saint Leo before moving forward into promising futures.
