Students are having a flurry of reactions to stepping out into the real world. Some shake with nerves, some are buzzing with excitement. All are counting down the days until their final walk across the USF stage at the beginning of May.
Photo courtesy of USF
By Julia Birdsall
The thought of an early graduation is a harrowing thought for third year digital communications and multimedia journalism major Sophia Lowrie, who said that she wishes they had more time to assimilate to life on a college campus before being thrust into adult life.
She is not the only one.
Whether the next steps involve graduate school or entering the workforce, many of the seniors at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg are feeling similarly anxious and uncertain in the weeks leading up to their graduation dates.
“Undergrad feels like a safety net,” political science senior Izabella Annunziata told The Crow’s Nest. “Why a lot of people extend their time here is because it feels safe. Going out into the real world is nerve-wracking.”
Senior biology major Maya Shaffer echoed this sentiment.
“College is just a steppingstone. You’re like a baby adult,” she said.
Shaffer worries about taking on the full responsibilities of adulthood and whether or not she will “rise to the occasion.”
However, Shaffer — who is moving to California shortly after graduating and will soon be applying for jobs in the state — and Annunziata — who is moving to Scotland to complete a master’s degree — have decided to embrace the uncertainty.
What they have learned during their time at USF St. Petersburg will help them adapt to the new circumstances, both felt.
Over the past four years, Annunziata has learned to always be open to new experiences.
“Try everything. Do everything,” she said. “If something comes your way and you’re even slightly interested in it, do it. See if you like it, love it, hate it. Because it’ll really help shape your future.”
This is how Shaffer determined what she wanted her future career path to be.
“I want to be a lab technician for wildlife research,” she told The Crow’s Nest. “Being a lab tech isn’t really that different from just doing the regular labs that you do while earning your degree and I really, really enjoyed that whole process.”
Lowrie felt the same.
They are applying for a range of positions in her hometown and, though uncertain, she said that their time at USF St. Petersburg taught her how to be “more outgoing and extroverted,” which can help her make future connections and secure jobs.
Lowrie also said that one of the best ways to prepare themself for graduation is to try and leave the St. Petersburg campus with no regrets.
Shaffer is trying to achieve this as well and has a list of things she wishes to do before her commencement ceremony such as having a grad photo shoot, attending a concert of her choosing and going on a vacation with her friends.
She also wants to make the most of her time by being involved on campus.
“Throw yourself into the community here,” she advised fellow seniors. “Because it’s probably going to be the closest-knit community that you’ll have for the next couple of years before you fully settle into your life after this.”
Annunziata found that the campus community was immensely helpful throughout her undergraduate experience and hopes she can build a similar support system in Scotland.
She has contributed to the USF St. Petersburg community by becoming active in multiple organizations and planning several important events on campus.
She feels content, she told The Crow’s Nest, because she helped to create traditions — such as the Left vs. Right debate, which she facilitated as vice president and then president of USF St. Petersburg Democrats for the event’s first two consecutive semesters. She hopes the event will extend beyond her time at the university.
“I’ve loved all my four years here, but you know, it’s just like a certain time where it’s like, ‘Okay, you’ve got to move on,’” Annunziata said. “You’ve got to close this book and then move on to the next.”
And to all of the graduating seniors who are feeling nervous, “embrace that fear,” Annunziata said. “Turn it into excitement. Don’t let it control you, let it move you.”
