The Class of 2028 lived in the in-between, and that is exactly where we grew. Our high school experiences began with the COVID pandemic ravaging the nation. Orientations became virtual, school days turned into half-days with plastic barriers and masks. This uncomfortable situation made our year one of the most resilient class years Villanova has known. We have lived in the unknown and had to transition in such uncertain times where no one had our same experience. Now, as we end our freshman year at Villanova, we can be so proud of how we have made the transition to college.
Our growth, from learning how to put ourselves out there and meet new people, stemmed from those uncertain times and made us way too overqualified for the freshman year transition. If we can conquer the freshman year of high school in a pandemic, we can conquer anything. As the year comes to a close, I could not be more proud to see all that the freshmen class has already begun to accomplish. We have embedded ourselves as members of our community and began to give back to an institution that is providing us with so much.
Personally, I am extremely elated to see all of the personal growth I have had this school year. I will never forget how terrified I was the night before I left for college. What if no one liked me? What if I didn’t make any friends? What if I didn’t understand the work? The list of “what-ifs” and horrors seemed endless. Yet, here I am, I survived. But, not only did I survive, I thrived. I joined clubs, became a recruitment chair for Blue Key, learned from my professors, made so many new friends, became a Chi Omega sister and have had experiences that I will never forget.
The past nine months have been invaluable to me not just because of all that Villanova has given to me, but because this transition taught me to become okay with the uncomfortable. It reminded me that no matter what comes my way, I can conquer it and turn it into an incredible experience. Now, here I sit, excitedly dreaming of where life could go for me next fall, it seems like the possibilities are endless. I mean, look at all that has happened already and this was only my first year. I feel so grateful to have found a place where I fit, and get to grow more into myself every single day surrounded by a supportive community. This summer, the memories that I have made here at Villanova are what I will hold on to while I wait for sophomore year to come. Personally, I think this is a much better trade compared to worrying the way I did last summer about moving here and starting over.
“I think it’s really crazy how far we’ve come since the beginning of the year and the way everything ends up falling into place,” freshman Faith Malki said. “It’s so crazy that the last time our class was freshmen was during COVID, it really shows how time has flown by. It also makes you realize how important it is to cherish every single moment.”
Malki’s perspective rings true for all of us. When we look back on this time, we will realize that the experiences that once seemed daunting or impossible were exactly what shaped us into who we are now. The lessons learned during this extraordinary period—whether we faced fear, uncertainty or even just a simple longing for normalcy—have laid a foundation for our future. What seemed like obstacles back then now feel like triumphs, the kind of growth we could never have anticipated in those early days.
As I reflect on this past year, I realize that this time at Villanova, despite the ups and downs, has been an experience worth cherishing. We entered this school year as uncertain, anxious freshmen, unsure of what to expect. But now, we stand at the edge of our first Summer Break, knowing we have accomplished something monumental, not just academically, but personally and socially. We have learned to lean into discomfort, to grow despite challenges and to support each other in ways we never could have imagined before.
So, as we close the chapter on our freshman year, let us not forget the lessons of resilience, adaptability and camaraderie we have learned. We are the Class of 2028, and although our journey is just beginning, we have already proven that we can thrive no matter the odds. Here’s to next year, to new experiences, and to continuing the journey with all that we’ve gained. After all, if we can survive a pandemic, a new school and a freshman year filled with uncertainty, what can’t we conquer? For now, we’ll bask in the sunshine of summer—resting up, reflecting and preparing for the next chapter, because if this year was any indication, the best is yet to come.
