My Reflections on the Last Four Years of College: Why Small Life Events Matter
![Photo: A collage of four images showcasing moments of celebration and bonding. The top left shows two individuals posing happily in front of a pink wall, one in an orange dress and the other in black attire. The top right captures graduates in red gowns and caps, proudly holding diplomas while walking. The bottom left is indistinct, featuring a stone structure and plaque. The bottom right depicts three individuals joyously celebrating with one popping a champagne bottle near a stone structure with inscriptions.](/files/2024/05/my-reflections-on-the-last-four-years-of-college-why-small-life-events-matter.jpg)
My Reflections on the Last Four Years of College
Why small life events matter
Between the endless hours in Mugar during finals week, a twinge of nostalgia starts to sweep my attention. These past four years of my life have rushed by, and even amidst a chaotic schedule, where I want to run away from all the stress, I am also sitting with emotional sentiments, trying to cling to every single college memory tightly. I am here wondering did I take things for granted?
![Three individuals in graduation wear standing on the steps of Boston University's alumni center, spraying champagne bottles in front of themselves.](/files/2024/05/img_0106_720.png)
What made my college experience worthwhile was not the most significant academic accomplishments, but the smaller life events that I shared with my friends. I feel that this is seen as common knowledge, yet many of us never really understand it until it’s too late. I guess for the rest of the students who still have time here at BU, I wanted to push a new language that might reconsider the way you perceive your college day-to-day life.
![Two Boston University students smiling and hugging one another in dresses. The lighting is purple.](/files/2024/05/img_0103_720.jpg)
When you look up the definition of “moment,” it is defined as a “very brief period of time.” Something about this definition seems to reduce all the moments of peals of laughter shared with friends, the spontaneous trips to get matcha mid–study session, the nights where we were piled with overwhelming amounts of homework but decided to stay in Mugar to keep each other company, or the moments we would strategically enroll in classes so we can take the same classes together. These “moments” are not just brief; these were memories that made college college. Instead of treating each day as another moment, I realized there is a benefit in calling these “mundane” moments small life events. Why? Because it acknowledges that these “moments” shared with my friends were significant. Even Google acknowledges that an “event” is “a thing that happens, especially one of importance.” Although this definition is somewhat limited, I cannot grasp all the minuscule details that made my college experience worthwhile. However, it underscores the significance of treating each day as important as any other significant day that the word “moments” fails to exemplify.
This blog is a celebration of the things that you might not consider “big.” Your small college life events deserve all the recognition as others because without these events at BU, what would be considered “the college experience” would not exist.
At BU, it’s easy to get wrapped up in looking forward to the next big thing, whether getting your dream internship or getting the best grade possible.
But I realized that life is not about rushing to achieve the next thing. It gets tiring after a while. I know this because I am guilty of doing it.
During my freshman year, I recall being anxious about all the uncertainties that my future holds. Most of which consisted of not doing enough. Although the people around me recognized my small accomplishments, I never felt proud of myself for them because I thought there was more to do.
I’ve always tried to get things done quickly, fueled by the fear of falling behind. But looking back, I realize that the most valuable moments are sometimes spent simply enjoying the waves rather than trying to skip ahead to the next shore. Life is not a series of checkboxes to be completed; it’s a continuous, ever-unfolding process of growth and discovery.
![Boston University students celebrating their graduation. They are in red gowns and spraying confetti at the camera.](/files/2024/05/img_5359_720.jpg)
After four years, I realized the crucial need to celebrate not just your As, Bs, or whatever grade you worked towards, but it was these small life events that made my college experience fruitful. There are only a select few people who will tolerate me repeating my jokes, a select few people who will hear me rant about the same things over and over again until I get over it, and a select few people who will go on random walks around Allston to get frozen yogurt, a select few people who will show up excited to your birthday, ready to celebrate you, a select few people who are equally happy for your successes, a select few people who will help you pick your graduation dress, a select few people who will appreciate just your companionship.
I can’t go back in time, but if I could do it again, I would like to put more effort in these small events, as I did for all the “bigger” accomplishments.
![Three Boston University students in red graduation gowns holding hands and facing their backs toward the camera. In front of them is a green field with trees in full summer bloom.](/files/2024/05/img_5023_720-1.jpg)
Congratulations to the Class of 2024; we have had the most unprecedented experience. I will miss BU dearly, but I am looking forward to all the small life events yet to come.
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