My first semester at BYU-Idaho was Fall 2019. That was a long time ago, and things were very differe
So much has changed since then.
But now, I find myself at the end of the road. This is the final voyage, the last ride, the series finale.
Come April, I will be a BYUI graduate. With graduation coming up, I can’t help but look back at the past several years to see not only what I’ve learned but also what my fellow graduating seniors learned.
"Get involved"- Daniel's story
Senior and communication major Daniel Sorensen graduates this April as well. Sorensen's first semester at BYUI was Fall 2022, which started days after he returned from his mission in New England.
“When I came home from my mission, I was brand new. The adjustment was weird because I got home from my mission, and then three days later started school," Sorensen said. "One of the things that was a little bit tricky was emotional growth.”
Sorensen said that it can be hard to find "genuine connections," so he wanted to prioritize that.
According to Sorensen, his goal was to be more extroverted. That goal eventually led him to involvement with country dancing about two-and-a-half years ago.
“Before, I was not really a dancer," Sorensen said. "Then I got involved, and two years later now, [I] am instructing people, teaching people where I once was.”
Another one of Sorensen's goals involved dating.
“I had this mindset of what dating was going to look like, and it hasn’t been until last semester when I actually found someone where it’s leading to a marriage," Sorensen said.
Originally, Sorensen was "pretty set on" transferring to the University of Utah. However, the plan changed when he met his now-fiancée, Emma. His new goal is for the two of them to get married and then move to Boise around August, where Emma will start law school.
"I’ve realized that’s the type of person I want to spend the rest of my life with, and, as such, I’m willing to adjust my life plans," Sorensen said.
Sorensen said that it's important to get involved and form connections with others while in college.
“Get involved in a good social activity, don’t stay in your apartment," Sorensen said. "In my personal experience, if you want to have genuine connections with people and make your college experience more fulfilling, get involved in activities, get involved in social areas where you’re going to expand your social circle because ultimately, that’s what makes it worth it.”
"Seek God's help"- Viktoriia's story
Viktoriia Southwell, a senior and horticulture major, started college in St. Petersburg, Russia, in September 2019.
Southwell said she was initially scared when she started the program, feeling “insecure” about learning landscape architecture.
“When I first started learning landscape architecture, it was really intimidating because I was looking at all of the projects of what...students do in the program," said Southwell. "I was a little bit scared. I was like, ‘I don’t know if I’ll be able to do that.’”
She spent a semester in Latvia in Winter 2022, and eventually grew more accustomed to the program.
“Something that pushed me through is just, you never know until you try. I just kept trying, trying [and] trying," Southwell said. "I also joined the Church during that period of time, so that’s when I received a confirmation that I needed to keep going.”
After Southwell joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served a mission in the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) from summer 2022 to late 2023.
Following her mission, Southwell went to BYU in Winter 2024 before transferring to BYUI, where she has been since Fall 2024.
According to Southwell, she had gained practical knowledge at her previous universities and spiritual knowledge at BYUI.
“I learned a lot of technical skills in my previous universities and design skills and plant knowledge," Southwell said. "Here, I realized that I learned more from a different perspective. My professors really helped me see my career path and my future job as something more than just designing backyards, it’s more like seeking God’s inspiration, His role as designer of our world.”
Southwell plans to graduate in April, but she still needs an internship credit later this year.
She also needs a landscape architecture license from an accredited program. Southwell's original plan was to go to graduate school at Utah State University, but has since decided instead to find a company to "grow with and learn from" to get that license.
“At some point I realized that you have to be 100% committed to that [graduate school]," Southwell said. "I also want to have a family, so I can’t really do 50/50. If I’m doing something, I want to be 100% committed to it. I started researching another path for landscape architecture licensure and I found out that I can get that through experience.”
Southwell said that despite facing ups and downs over the years, she learned to trust God and persevere.
“Seek God’s help and God’s direction, because He really is why I was able to move forward and not give up on this journey," Southwell said.
"Don't be afraid to try new things"- Evelyn's story
Evelyn Semerau is a senior and recreation management major graduating in April.
Semerau's first semester at BYUI was Winter 2019. Semerau said that back then, she was much more introverted and lacked confidence.
“I feel like I have gained so much confidence since I first started," said Semerau. "My first two semesters, I was very shy. I wouldn’t talk to anybody [and] I did not use the professors for help. I just wanted to do the work and get out and just keep my head down. Now it feels like I know a bunch of people.”
According to Semerau, one of the most important lessons she learned at BYUI was that professors are here to help, and it's important to ask them for help when needed. Even though she originally didn't think she would need them for help, she found that professors provide a valuable resource.
“People actually do want to help you out," Semerau said. "There have been so many great professors here that it’s made me see that they actually do want to help me out.”
Semerau said that professors "are there to help you." In one instance, Semerau was able to get one of her professors to help get certified for wilderness first aid, all because she simply asked for assistance.
“If you just ask questions and you genuinely want to do something, people like to help you out," Semerau said. "Get to know them a little bit and be interested in them, and then they’re interested in you back. The more you talk and build connections, the more opportunities show up, that won’t happen if you hide in the back of the class.”
One piece of advice Semerau shared was to "[not] be afraid to try new things." She said that trying to overcome fears, such as talking to people, takes time and practice.
"The only way to overcome a fear is to face it," Semerau said. "One of the things I did that helped me get less afraid of talking to people was I did summer sales, and I hated sales. I'm not a salesperson, but I did it because I wanted to stop being afraid of talking to people.”
For those who are trying to overcome similar fears, Semerau advised to just keep at it.
“When you’re focusing on other people and not on yourself, then the fear of talking to them goes away," Semerau said. "It’s a process, but I’d say just work at it and just be patient with yourself. Don’t give up, because it’s so worth it.”
The road goes on
Looking back, Viktoriia Southwell said that she's been able to feel more confident in her skills and post-graduation plans.
“I’m definitely more confident about my skills and about what I do," Southwell said. "I have a clear path of my future goals [and] what I want to do after I graduate.”
Southwell said that "hard times come and go," and it's important not to doubt yourself or give up.
“You can do hard things," Southwell said. "If challenges arise and if you start doubting yourself, just keep going. You have the strength and you have the abilities to do the hard things. You have the potential to become the better version of yourself.”
Sorensen also shared advice on how to enjoy time at college.
“Enjoy the moment," Sorensen said. "I think sometimes, myself as well as other people, have this certain idea of…what’s going to happen in your life. I think one of the biggest things I’ve learned is [to] just chill down a little bit. Just let life go forward."
According to Semerau, the college experience is one that we should savor. She mentioned one of her favorite classes; canyoneering, a class where students learn rope tying and rappelling before spending a five-day trip in Southern Utah practicing what they learned. Along with classes like those relating to her major, Semerau also said she took a welding class just for fun.
“Just give it a shot,” Semerau said. “Just go out and try something fun in your time here.”
Seniors like Sorensen, Southwell, Semerau and even myself may be at the end of the road here in Rexburg, but it is the beginning of another, shaped by everything we have learned at BYUI.
0 Comments