Photos by the amazing Stephanie Dennehy.
Well… it’s official. I’m a University of Richmond alum (wow, that sounds weird). I cannot believe how quickly those four years of college flew by. It feels like I was just moving into my freshman year dorm, and soon I’ll be moving to the Big Apple.
I really couldn’t have asked for a better college experience. As I reflect on the past four years, I am just so thankful for all of the opportunities that I had through Richmond and all of the people that I met. Even during the harder times, I knew that Richmond was my perfect dream school.
One of the biggest things I focused on in college was trying to get out of my comfort zone. Whether that meant signing up for new clubs, going to new restaurants or meeting new people, I tried to say ‘yes’ to new possibilities and experiences. For example, during the beginning of my first semester at Richmond, I pledged and got into our business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi. As a little freshman, I never thought that I would be waking up at 7 am and running across campus in business-professional clothes, but it taught me SO much.
Richmond also gave me the ability to create and manage a lifestyle section for our school’s online paper and really discover my love for writing. I added journalism as a minor (in addition to my marketing major) and was able to let my creativity grow. Friends, family, and mentors also convinced me to finally start this website and blog! I’d been tossing around the idea since sophomore year of high school, and finally had to the courage to block out the haters and do something that I love. Starting my blog has only made me love writing even more! This community is so supportive and I love meeting blogging besties who share similar interests 🙂
Overall, I really feel that I discovered so much about myself during college. I became much more brave and independent, and even moved to NYC for two summer internships. I met alumni throughout the country and secured internships at ELLE and iHeartMedia, something I could have never imagined.
Even though I had an overall amazing experience, things were not always easy. There were times when I was stressed out by classes (accounting and econ…), or girls were just being girls and not always the nicest. But, I found my wonderful group of friends, my sorority little who is basically my real sister, and my boyfriend, who are all so supportive <3
So thank you, Richmond. You taught me how to laugh, how to love, and how to live. I cannot wait to see what the rest of my future entails. But for now, cheers to the best four years!
Xx,
This is amazing Lauren! I’m sure you’ve gotten this hundreds of times now but congratulations! I’m sure you are tired of hearing it yet as I’m sure you are proud of yourself and I would be too! I pray this is only the beginning to many new doors opening for you. Cheers to landing your dream job 🙂
Xx
Iliana | http://www.sophisticatedfashionista.com
Thank you so so much! You are too sweet 🙂
Xx
Girl, I’m proud of you just reading this post! First of all, the pictures are precious! And congratulations! It sounds like you had an incredible college experience. I secretly wish I had dabbled more into the idea of marketing. And those internships- that’s awesome! It’s crazy for me to think I’ve now been out of college longer than I was in it- those four years are some of the absolute best, no doubt. New York, here you come!
Aww, thank you Emily!!
Xx
Ahhh I’ve been so looking forward to seeing these photos since you teased them on IG! You look SO gorgeous! How perfect that you got to celebrate with glitter confetti and champagne! Congratulations, girlfriend! I’m so happy for you. I know you’re going to experience so much success in the next chapter of your life! And I’m so glad that college brought you to RVA so we got the chance to meet (even if it was in the last few months of your time here). Cheers to the future!
Stephanie // SheSawStyle.com
Aww thank you so much, love! I’m so happy I got to meet you, and we will definitely meet up in the future! Xoxo
So incredible, congratulations and what gorgeous photos! Sounds like you had a wonderful college experience, isn’t it the most difficult and yet most fun years?! Excited to hear more about your post-college life!
Thank you so much, Amanda!! Yesss it was really the best 🙂
Congratulations! This is such an exciting accomplishment! I love these photos too, especially the confetti and champagne popping ??
Thank you so much! 🙂
Congratulations on your graduation! And I’m loving these photos!! Gorgeous!!
http://thesofieyahdiaries.com/bullet-journal/tips-for-effective-bullet-journaling
Thank you so much! Xoxo
Oh my gosh – congrats and welcome to the “real” world!!!! I remember my college graduation post on my blog like it was yesterday- your photos are much cuter haha
Thanks, girl! 🙂 omg I bet yours were amazing! Xx
That’s awesome Lauren! I graduated college in December but unlike you…apart from meeting my husband, I hated college. I would do things a lot differently now!! I can’t wait to watch your adventures in New York! Good luck!
Thank you, Taylor! Congrats on your graduation too 🙂
Xx,
Lauren
No way! The fact that you secured those two internships is incredible. I was going to study abroad one semester in NYC to do the same thing, but Europe won in the end haha. Those two internships are going to help you out so much with finding a job! Seriously. It’s not anywhere close to how hard it would be to secure a job after school. I can’t wait to see what you end up doing next, and congrats lady!
xoxo Bryanna | Coming in Clutch
Ah, I bet your abroad experience was amazing though! Thank you so much 🙂
Xx,
Lauren