During high school, I always imagined myself going on to be a veterinarian.
I have always had a spot in my heart for wildlife, but I was also daunted by the task of getting through college. A lot of the time, I was not sure of where to turn or what to do next, especially as I was coming out of high school. I eventually was just looking around at schools that offered pre-veterinary college courses when a friend of mine had recommended the college they were going to. That school turned out to be Waynesburg University.
Next thing I knew, here I was sitting with an introductory packet getting to meet the rest of the incoming Class of 2025. As I started classes at WU, I remember thinking that I might not have what it takes and I at some point even contemplated whether I should change my major. I was constantly stressed about tests and trying to take as many classes as possible in my first years at WU.
What I learned is that it isn’t good to rush through college; there were so many opportunities all around. The time I spent here felt like it went as fast as I could blink, but they have been some of my best. There are so many things for you to do and explore around campus, so make sure to explore it all while you can.
I decided to join clubs and get involved in things such as Esports in my free time, and those were probably some of the best decisions I made during my time here. Clubs helped me meet some incredible people who really helped me in continuing my career towards veterinary school, and the support they have shown me has been incredible.
Waynesburg has a very close-knit community and so my advice would be to not be a stranger. Take time out of your day to go out and say hi to people from your classes or people you meet at events. I have made some special friends, especially through my time with Esports, that have shared some of my best moments here on campus. The second thing I would say is to find what makes you happy. It is normal to not know what is going on when you first arrive, but through time you will find your path—do not feel as though you need to force your way through college because there are always other options waiting to be found.
I now find myself in the same spot as when I left high school. It once felt like the world was going to collapse if I messed up. It felt like I was trying to push a boulder up a hill at times, but those hard times and the friends I have made at Waynesburg have shown me that I am prepared to do more than I ever thought I could. It is sad in a way though, I will have to give up everything I worked on here at Waynesburg to start all over again. However, I feel confident to show I can do it all over again.
I will be leaving the country to study abroad in the Caribbean, as I have been accepted for a spot in the DVM program at St. George’s University. There, I will be doing all my studies before returning to the States for my clinicals. I am extremely excited about this opportunity, and I am even more grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way. A special thanks to all of the friends and staff at Waynesburg for being such a supportive community. I could not imagine my path without you all!
