By: Ella Cobb

I was given this writing assignment at the beginning of the semester. I was initially meant to write this a month ago. I just couldn’t make myself sit down and write this. 

I knew it would be emotional to write about my time at MTSU, and I was not ready to face it. Honestly, I am still not ready. I graduate on Saturday, Dec. 14, so it is happening whether I am ready or not. 

To say MTSU changed my life is an understatement. I have met incredible people and created a real community for myself here. 

When I look back to my senior year of high school, I was so upset to graduate. I didn’t feel ready for the next step, and I didn’t know what I wanted to major in. I really didn’t have a good understanding of myself or who I wanted to be.

MTSU was always the plan for me. I am from the Middle Tennessee area and knew I needed to pick the most affordable option. I decided to live at home in Shelbyville and commute for the entire three and half years. It was one of the best decisions I have made for myself. 

After countless tears and nights of worry, I am graduating debt free. I recommend looking into MTSU’s guaranteed scholarships and departmental scholarships. Between scholarships and a little self-financing, I am able to do this. It was one of my biggest goals when I graduated from high school to be able to say I graduated debt-free!

I started college in the fall of 2021. I am not going to lie; it was one of the most difficult times of my life. I was very outgoing and involved in high school. Something changed in me when I started college. 

It was isolating, to say the least. There were so many new people everywhere. Between the pandemic and this drastic change in my life, I struggled to put myself out there and connect. I wasted the first couple of years making excuses for why I couldn’t be more involved on campus.

Around spring break of my freshmen year, I knew I needed to declare a major immediately. I had a semester’s worth of dual enrollment credits from high school. I was already out of general education classes to take. 

I thought for months about my decision. I weighed my options. I finally narrowed my major down to two possibilities: marketing or public relations. I don’t remember why I picked marketing now. I just decided to try marketing and see if I liked it. 

After taking a few classes, it felt like it was the right major for me. I am so grateful for the opportunities the Jones College of Business has given me. I made so many friends and built meaningful connections with some of professors. 

I have to say the best thing I did for myself was finally get involved on campus. Last fall, I applied to be a student orientation assistant for the New Student and Family Programs office. I trained the entire spring semester. It was there that I started to build friendships with other students and connections with administrators.             

I loved giving tours and helping new students and parents. Over the last year of my life, I really fell in love with MTSU and my life right now. At the end of the summer, I didn’t feel done with my time working at MTSU. 

I reached out to a girl I kind of knew about a career question, and she ended up recommending me to her boss of the MTSU social media team. That is how I ended up writing this story. 

Now, on to another great decision, and that is taking this job. It was actually a little dream I had all along. I just didn’t know anyone to make it happen. 

Through MTSU’s social media team, I have worked behind the scenes at graduation, on the field at football games, met a former United States Vice President, worked up close at campus concerts, and so much more. I made countless reels, wrote stories, and shared my love for MTSU with so many. It has been an incredible experience. 

I also joined the Blue Elite Tour Guide staff in Admissions at the beginning of the semester. I give tours to prospective students, parents, and special groups weekly. I worked countless events for Admissions from multiple True Blue Tours to Preview Days. I made some of my closest friends in this role. 

This has been the best semester I have had so far. I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world. With that being said, it was not all easy. I have felt so much anxiety and fear for the future over the last few months. At times, it was isolating. 

I found comfort in my friends that are graduating right now. It seems like we all feel this way. The unknown will always be scary. It was scary to start college, and it is scary to leave. 

Here are some tips that I really believe changed my college experience for the better. 

Tips For College Students:

1. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad for not knowing what you want to do or major in. It is a lot of pressure deciding what you are going to do with your life. 
2. It is okay that you don’t have it all figured out! Most people our age don’t have it all together even if it seems like it. 
3. Learn to admit when you need help. You shouldn’t have to struggle alone. 
4. GET INVOLVED! College can be lonely. Finding a group you fit with really helps, I promise. 
5. Make connections! Build strong relationships with other students, professors, and administrators. You never know what can happen just because you know someone. 
6. Believe in yourself! You are strong, capable, and you can do anything you set your mind to. 
7. Always chase what you want! Some of the best things that happened for me in college, happened because I went after what I wanted. 
8. Apply for every scholarship you can. It can really change your life. 

I have known since I started college that I wanted to pursue a graduate program upon graduation. Once I learned about graduate assistants, I knew I wanted to be one. I have talked about it so much over the years that I am sure everyone of my friends could tell you all about it. 

I love this school and working here through graduate school seemed like the perfect fit for me. The process was competitive and scary to say the least. Nevertheless, I am excited to announce that my time at MTSU is not done. 

I will start my Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in Strategic Marketing Analytics in January, here at MTSU. I will continue working on campus as a graduate assistant, Blue Elite Tour Guide, and MTSU social media team member. 

So, it doesn’t look like this will be the last of me here. 

Congratulations, MTSU Class of 2024! I am so proud of you!