Cliché as it is, the thought of the journey being of greater value than the destination is, in my mind, a perfect description of the college experience. Placing the degree as the destination and the years of hard work it takes to get there as the journey; one can see the true value in the experience you gain working towards the degree. Even though I have only been at college for a few months, I have seen how key the "journey" is already. Through the metaphorical voyage of college, I have gained some significant realizations, like how I have it is okay to ask for help when you need it. Both in and outside the classroom, asking for help has been one of my biggest learning curves since arriving at college. I have started accessing the CLUE tutoring service UW offers and relying on close friends to help motivate me to jump outside of my comfort zone. Being able to reach out for help in school has vastly made my classes more enjoyable and easier.

      Another way the journey is more important than the destination at college is through memories you make. Yes the day I graduate will be a momentous day, but the majority of my college memories will come from little moments throughout the next four year. In my favorite poem, Let July be July, by Morgan Harper Nichols there is the line "find peace and grow in the wild of changing things." Often I tend to get consumed with my classes and ignore the present. This line reminds me to find peace in the ordinary and the sometimes mundane things (such a certain schoolwork). Being able to immerse myself in the journey of college will allow me to grow, spark joy, and make beautiful memories throughout the whole experience. 

      Overall, I am deeply grateful to be at the University of Washington and thrilled to see what the next chapter of college brings. I am excited to further my college career in environmental science and explore all that UW has to offer. Lastly, I am ready to "grow in the wild of changing things" and embrace the value of the journey.