AN OPEN LETTER TO COLLEGIATE SENIORS FROM AN ALPHA GAM ALUMNA

The following post was written by guest blogger, Nicole Hirschler, Alumnae Development Specialist for the Fraternity. 

Dear Collegiate Seniors,

Congratulations! You’ve officially made it to the home stretch of your undergraduate education. In nine short months, you may be starting your first full-time career, preparing for your master’s degree or hopping on a plane to spend some time traveling. Wherever your compass may guide you in life, I hope you bring your Alpha Gam experience with you. During your senior year, I challenge you to incorporate the Alpha Gamma Delta Purpose into your everyday life.

To gain understanding that wisdom may be vouchsafed to me.
Who better to seek advice from during this transitional period than women who have been in your shoes? Alumnae members from your chapter are often more than willing to meet for coffee to discuss interview tips, alumnae opportunities and how to make the most of your senior year at your respective school.

To develop and prize health and vigor of body.
You can’t pour from an empty cup. Don’t forget to take care of yourself first this year. There is a lot of hard work that goes into preparing for graduation and it’s easy to let yourself feel overwhelmed. How do you define self-care? Is it going for a walk, meditating for 15 minutes, taking a long relaxing bath or reading your favorite book/blog? Self-care is not selfish; it’s necessary.

To cherish friendships with but a chosen few and to study the perfecting of those friendships.
After you graduate, it’s unlikely you’ll have the opportunity to see your closest Alpha Gam sisters every day. Take advantage of the time you get to spend with your sisters during your senior year! Never have dinner alone, ask a sister to join you for a workout class and say “yes” to every sisterhood event. One day soon, you’ll be planning reunions to see each other instead of walking across campus!

To possess high ideals and to attain somewhat unto them.
Have you ever looked at a job posting and instantly dismissed it because you felt unqualified? J.K. Rowling was famously rejected by 12 publishers before “Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone” was accepted! You’re never going to land your dream job unless you put yourself out there and take a chance. Remember, there are secret opportunities hidden inside every failure and you are always enough with Alpha Gam.

As August ends and graduation becomes that much closer, have fun! Take advantage of every opportunity Alpha Gamma Delta offers you—not only this year, but throughout the rest of your life!

Loyally,

Nicole Hirschler
Alumnae Development Specialist
Theta Iota—Western Kentucky University

Be on the look out and follow Alpha Gam’s Young Alumnae Blog, Alpha Gam Always, for post-graduation tips and alumnae opportunities!