Katelynn Singleton, Campus Carrier editor-in-chief

After this gets published, there will be 16 days until I go from Berry student to Berry alumna and I will have completed my time as Carrier Editor-in-Chief. I have no idea how the years have gone by so fast; it feels like just last week I was moving into Dana for Viking Venture. Now I’m finishing my final projects and saying goodbye to professors. As the year winds down and I get ready to leave the “Berry bubble,” I find myself appreciating the campus more.

Being on campus for four years made me forget how stunning Berry really is. We all have become used to the sights of deer running across the street or the sunset being visible from every window. When friends from other schools come to visit me, they always bring up the massive green spaces in front of every building. When we go up to Mountain Campus, they love to watch the sunset by the WinShape Retreat Center. These little things have become the usual for us, but they really are special.

Recently, I went on a walk to the reservoir with some friends. We sat and skipped rocks, tried to guess what types of wildflowers were near us and listened to the wind. Honestly, it was a bit like we were little kids again, enjoying being outside just for the sake of being outside. Amid final projects and essays, those few hours where we just enjoyed the sights around us were some of the best hours during my time here. 

While the sights and sounds of Berry’s nature are incredible, there is also something to be said about the connection that students can have with their professors. I have friends at other schools with 100 students in their classes. I think my largest class was maybe 25 students. That small class size makes it so easy to reach out to professors and form a relationship with them. 

I know that if I had chosen to go to a different school, I would not be the same person I am today. My experiences in the Communication department and at the Campus Carrier have been so influential on my growth as a person, both personally and professionally. The professors in the Communication department and their support has helped me so much in building my confidence as a writer and an individual. The Campus Carrier and the people here have been my home for the last four years, and I’m so sad to be leaving it. 

We all hear over and over again about the “Berry experience” but it truly is unique. When you’re walking to your next class or in between projects, take a second to go outside and recharge. If you’re struggling, your professors genuinely do care. Embrace the things that make Berry special, because you will miss it when it’s gone.