As the school year at Rockhurst University winds down, a noticeable shift has taken hold across campus, especially among seniors. With graduation approaching, students are focused on more than just final exams.
Conversations with graduating students revealed that the final stretch of college is about far more than finishing strong academically. It is also a time for reflection on the past four years and anticipation about what comes next.
Across campus, emotions are mixed between excitement, stress and reflection. Many seniors said they feel proud and accomplished after navigating the challenges of college life, including long nights studying, presentations, internships and balancing social life with academics.
“There are some weeks that felt like they would never end, and there were some that were gone in the blink of an eye,” said Gabe Williams, a senior nursing student.
At the same time, there is a bittersweet feeling shared by both seniors and juniors. Seniors are preparing to leave behind a place that has played a major role in their lives, while juniors are adjusting to the idea of becoming the oldest students on campus.
“Were you?” said Jomanuel Ayala when asked if he was ready to take on that role. “But I guess it had to happen sometime.”
The idea of “home” surfaced repeatedly in conversations with students. For many, college has become more than classrooms and coursework. It is the people, routines and everyday moments that have made the experience meaningful.
“I was so involved with campus, and the Rockhurst community gave me a home away from home,” said Mckenna Smith, a graduating senior. “It’s going to be hard to leave, but I think I am ready to take the next step in my life.”
For some seniors, the final month of college has been an opportunity to slow down and appreciate the experience. Students are spending more time with friends, attending campus events and trying to enjoy their remaining weeks on campus instead of rushing toward graduation weekend.
That sentiment was shared recently by a group of seniors playing spikeball on Bourke Field. They said they do not know when they will all see each other again after graduation, so they are trying to make the most of their remaining time together.
Reflection has become a common theme among seniors in recent weeks, including reflection on the academic and career paths they have chosen.
Many students said they did not arrive at Rockhurst with everything figured out. Some changed majors discovered new interests or realized they were capable of more than they initially believed. Classes, professors, friendships and internships all contributed to that growth.
When asked what they will remember most, many seniors pointed not to academics but to shared experiences such as late-night conversations, campus events and “waiting 30 minutes in the rain for a free taco truck,” as senior John Baldwin described it. Others said they would remember watching their friends grow and mature throughout college.
That sense of community is one reason graduation feels so emotional. Students are not simply leaving a school; they are leaving a place where they built relationships and developed into adults prepared for the next stage of life.
Even amid the excitement surrounding graduation, many students are focused on what comes next.
Some seniors already have jobs lined up in fields such as business, health care and education. Others plan to attend graduate school, while some are still exploring career options and applying for positions.
Parker Bunch, a senior at Rockhurst, said he feels prepared for the future.
“Undergrad was a fun time and taught me more about myself than I ever thought it would,” Bunch said. “The skills and information that Rockhurst has given me will be put to good use as I head toward fulfilling my lifelong dream of becoming a doctor.”
Despite the uncertainty that often accompanies graduation, many seniors used one word to describe their overall feelings: gratitude. Students said they are thankful for the opportunities they have had, the support from professors and the friendships they built throughout college.
In many ways, the final month of college has become a balancing act. Seniors are completing assignments, taking graduation photos, spending time with friends and preparing for life after college all at once. It is both an ending and a beginning.
As commencement approaches, it is clear that seniors at Rockhurst are leaving with more than degrees. They are leaving with experiences, relationships and lessons that extend far beyond the classroom.
Whether they have everything figured out or not, the next chapter is approaching quickly.
The Rockhurst seniors are preparing to leave the nest.
