Just as much as freshmen need a welcome to college, seniors deserve a farewell to their student experiences
COMMENTARY
Chelsea Hudson

A senior recalls her cherished Frog Camp memories as a freshman and suggests that all seniors create a similar experience for themselves for closure of their college life.

Frog Camp holds some special memories for many students that attend. As a matter of fact, the entire first-year experience can be quite special. I remember, as a freshman, being overwhelmed by the multitude of opportunities to get involved. Everywhere I turned, there was a great event happening where I could meet other freshmen. TCU does a stellar job when it comes to welcoming freshmen, but what about saying goodbye to seniors?

There needs to be a senior celebration at the end of the year to conclude the college experience. Some might say that seniors have outgrown all those fun and bonding activities, but I have to say that many seniors (including this one) are still kids at heart. Imagine a celebration that helps our TCU experiences come full circle. Seniors need opportunities to reminisce about their college days before they finally walk across the stage on graduation day.

Seniors have earned their upperclassmen status and deserve to be honored for their achievements, and a senior celebration is a great way for TCU to say thank you. So many seniors have given so much to TCU. Some seniors have given their heart and soul to TCU through academic research, leadership, athletics, performing arts, the school newspaper and countless other ways. A final hooray for seniors is a way to show appreciation for all the long hours invested into this university.

Seniors also need to stop and enjoy how far they have come. A celebration would be a great introduction into the Alumni Association.

Seniors need something to be excited about amidst the fear and anxiety of an unforeseeable future. It is ironic — we come into TCU both scared and excited about our college experiences, and we leave in much the same state of mind about our open-ended futures.

A group has formed to brainstorm ways to improve the senior experience, and I commend them for it. TCU does a great job in welcoming new students, and maybe in due time, each year at TCU will be celebrated with programs to help make our college experiences more fulfilling.

Chelsea Hudson is a senior political science major from Plano.