Last semester, when I clicked the blue “submit” button on my college applications, I realized just how far I’d come. From the days of watching “Doc McStuffins” and desiring to become a veterinarian, to middle school when I was determined to follow Rory Gilmore’s footsteps and attend Yale, my academic journey has endured many ups and downs. However, with lots of prayer and reflection, I decided to commit to Berry College, where I will study English and minor in Theology.

I began this column because, as a junior myself, I asked a lot of questions. How do I make a resume? What is CommonApp? What should my college essays be about? I am thankful to the seniors who came before me and every teacher and administrator who calmed my anxieties. Because of my peers, who were going through the same stress I was, and my friends from the class of ‘24, who had been through that stress themselves, I was able to navigate the application process swiftly.

I ended up applying to four places: Berry College, Covenant College, the University of Georgia (UGA), and Duke University. I was admitted into UGA, Berry, and Covenant early action, and unfortunately, was rejected from Duke. It came down between Berry and Covenant because both institutions possessed exactly what I wanted: small class sizes, beautiful campuses, and numerous work opportunities. 

Upon further research and scholarship applications, the Lord led me to Berry. I won the Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship program, which is rooted in Christian female leadership values and solidified my attendance as a Viking!

I hope this column helped any struggling underclassmen who may have the same questions I did about college. As you find yourself and realize your priorities, I hope you allow yourself to explore all the options available to you. Whether or not my readers attend Ivy Leagues or online schools — or if they do not attend college at all — may my series of articles always stand as proof that growth is good, and life should be enjoyed.

With graduation coming up, I have reflected on my time at NC and have truly seen myself develop. I used to strive for the greatness of a stellar GPA. I planned to take as many AP classes as I could, deemed to prove intelligence to college admissions boards. Yet, somewhere along the way, I remembered my love for writing. I looked back on middle school me, who dreamed of joining The Chant when she got to high school and wondered where I got lost.

So, grade point averages and SAT scores aside, I rediscovered my favorite hobby. A hobby that morphed into an online portfolio of the past two years, encompassed my many niches, and brought me some of my best friends. Out of four investigative pieces I’ve written, two have focused on ballet, and the two recent articles dove into matters of the Church and the Bible in America. Sophomore me almost forgot this was the point, but I am so thankful to have found it again.

I know I’ll grow and change at Berry, too. Maybe I’ll change my major or even my interests, but writing this column has helped me understand that that will be okay. So, if any of you have kept up with this column, first, I thank you, and second, I want to say don’t be afraid to grow, because it can bring so many opportunities and blessings.

As always, keep referring back to these articles, and if you have any questions at all, please feel free to reach out to me on Instagram @addielhill, and I am always willing to help. 🙂

Addie Hill, Page Editor and Media Team Lead, signing off.