ABIGAIL CAVIZO / ASSOCIATE EDITOR

When COVID-19 happened in 2020 and everything changed, I had zero to little faith that anything would go back to as it was. This would define our class as the “COVID class” — an unlucky name for those who never got a true ending to high school, or a real beginning to college. During our time at USD, I’d describe our class as “scrappy.” 

Our first year was what I’d come to refer to as “the wild, wild west” — a time in which classes were online, there were no upperclassmen to model our behavior off of, and the only people on campus were us: around 500 firstyear students who were forced into the isolation of whatever dorm or hall we were assigned to. 

Sophomore year was the time that we had to bring ourselves back to reality. For the first time, we were going to experience life as real college students, outside of the “summer camp” that was our first year at USD. This meant trying to find extracurriculars, and pretending to know our way around, even though USD had technically been our home for a year already. Finding my niche as a college student came surprisingly easy for me, in The USD Vista. 

It gave me a place to realize my words matter — even if it was just for my little college community. 

Junior year was the first “real” year of college without any masks or regulations, but the feeling that everything could be taken away at any moment never went away. 

This feeling was a lasting impression from our experience coming into college. The feeling that at any given moment — despite how happy I was or any accomplishment I achieved — everything could be taken away from me. I was always waiting for “the other shoe to drop.” 

Now, as a graduating senior, I realize I don’t have to be afraid for something bad to happen. For the first time in these past 17 years of education, I don’t have a plan for my life. 

Post graduation life is a looming monster of “what-ifs” — scary and liberating all at once. I used to think that going to college would be the most freeing experience, especially post-COVID-19. 

Now, I hope to use the tools, experiences, friendships and connections that I’ve made at USD to make something of myself and live as authentically and as freely as I can. 

For those who are afraid, you don’t need to be waiting for the next bad thing to happen, to restrict the happiness you feel in the moment. The shoe doesn’t need to drop. 

MARIA SIMPSON / COPY EDITOR

When my college journey began I remember feeling like I knew so much about myself and the world around me. Now, four years later, I feel almost as if I know nothing, but in the most freeing way imaginable. College is not the end of learning, growth and change. Rather, it is the beginning. I was recently reminded that after I walk across that stage and receive my diploma, USD will be the place that I came from. And what a gift it has been.

Not every moment has been fun or easy. If you are just beginning your college journey I can almost promise you that obstacles and difficulties will come your way. You may face tough professors, difficult classes, homesickness, heart break, stress or rejection. I urge you, even when you hit those low moments, to embrace the journey. Feel all of the emotions and grab onto the chance to grow through it all. I am far from the girl who moved into her San Antonio de Padua dorm room four years ago, terrified that she would not find friendship or a place at USD. And part of my growth has been from the challenges that life has handed to me. Sometimes the “bad” isn’t bad, just a low. And you will climb back up again. 

As I stand on the precipice of the next chapter of my life I feel fear, sadness, anxiety and uncertainty. But, I know I ought to take my own advice and lean into this new challenge. While I may be carrying a lot of heavy emotions, I can also hold space for excitement and hope. USD has given me so much. Friendship, a deeper sense of self, tangible knowledge and skills, an expanded worldview, opportunities and memories to last a lifetime. 

I am admittedly afraid — terrified, actually — to jump into the next phase of life. I have always said that I don’t handle change very well. To the other graduating seniors out there, I’m sure many of you feel the same. And if you do, heed the advice someone recently gave me. Nobody likes change. But that does not mean you cannot face it. Think of the change you have tackled before. From the transition to online classes, the loss of the end of our high school careers, moving to USD — some from other states or even other countries — to creating new friends, studying abroad and starting new jobs or internships, all of us have faced change and conquered it before. You will conquer it again. Revel in the blessings that USD has given you and leave space for hope about what the future will bring.  

A view of the sunset from the newsroom, SLP 403B. Abigail Cavizo/The USD Vista