I remember starting my freshman year feeling anxious about the new environment. As the eldest of three kids, I didn’t have anyone to turn to for guidance about the college experience. During this transition, I often wished for someone to help me navigate this unfamiliar territory. 

Participating in the Navigating College program, led by peer mentors, was incredibly valuable. Hearing their stories about their own difficult transitions made me feel less alone, and their support helped me through the toughest challenges of my freshman year. Inspired by their dedication to ensuring my smooth transition, I realized I wanted to pay it forward and become a mentor myself. 

Having gone through the experience, I understand what it’s like to be in those shoes, and I want to be someone who can help lighten the load for others. Now that I have more experience, I can confidently say that it gets better! Change is constant, and those rainy days truly don’t last forever.