As the spring semester of the 2024-2025 school year commences, University of Mississippi seniors reflected on their experiences leading up to their final months as undergraduate students.
From giving advice to their freshman selves to setting goals for their last lap, here is what four UM students are looking to get out of their last semester of their senior year.
Gabrianna Hill, a senior communication sciences and disorders major from Amory, Miss., is looking forward to a more laid-back semester as she continues the process of applying to graduate schools.
“My biggest goal for this next semester is to simply have the process of graduate school applications and interviews go smoothly. This spring semester feels like it will pass by faster than this past semester,” Hill said. “I’m thinking the spring semester will be lots better because of infinitely less stress having already learned the process of applying for graduate schools and a light at the end of the tunnel feeling.”
As the anticipation regarding graduation has set in, Hill is eager for the future.
“Yes, graduation has mostly hit. I haven’t prepared much for it, but I’m so excited for what’s ahead that I barely have time to mourn the past nearly four years,” Hill said.
While many dread starting their adult life after college, Hill welcomes it with open arms.
“I am hoping to achieve my masters in speech-language pathology. After that, I will get a job wherever I can and start my life,” Hill said. “Something that excites me the most about the next chapter of my life is getting a place to myself and decorating the house of my dreams.”
Kai Nihira, a senior business management major from Yorba Linda, Calif., hopes to spend the spring semester job hunting.
“My biggest goal will be to get a job offer as I prepare to graduate. I have had small jobs in the past but will be looking forward to a full-time ‘adult’ position post-graduation,” Nihira said. “I plan on going into law enforcement. One of the jobs I am applying for is with the University Police Department.”
As a member of the Ole Miss Rugby Club, Nihira hopes to relish his last season with the group he has been with since his freshman year.
“I will miss being able to suit up one last time with my rugby brothers. I have had a blessed opportunity to suit up for my teammates and the university. Yelling the Hotty Toddy chant one last time as a player will be emotional,” Nihira said.
While reflecting on how fast this semester has approached, Nihira gave advice to the upcoming senior class, who will soon be in his shoes.
“Now that graduation is less than five months away, I have begun to notice how fast my time at Ole Miss has been. Each semester seems to be going faster and faster, and now here I am at the end of my undergraduate career,” Nihira said. “Enjoy every bit of your senior year as it goes by quickly and take time to reflect on how far you have come. Furthermore, I encourage making a list of all that you have accomplished during your time at Ole Miss.”
2024 Homecoming King Caleb Ball, a senior political science major from Ingomar, Miss., reflected on his fall semester fondly and expressed hopes to experience just as much joy during his last few months at the university.
“My fall semester was truly my favorite semester at Ole Miss. There were so many fun
things that happened, but winning homecoming king was truly my biggest highlight and
something I will cherish forever,” Ball said.
Ball hopes to use his last semester at Ole Miss to finalize his post-graduation plans while cherishing the time he has left on campus.
“My biggest goal this semester is getting into law school and deciding where I want to go after graduation. I plan on attending law school in New Orleans, Seattle or New York City,” Ball said. “I am so excited to start this next chapter of my life with a new change of scenery. I’ve lived in Mississippi since fourth grade and am ready for a new place, but Mississippi will always be home.”
While looking toward his future, Ball felt sentimental about being away from Ole Miss — the institution that has provided him with a sense of comfort and made him feel welcome since his freshman year.
“If I could talk to freshman year Caleb, I would tell him to not be too hard on himself because who he will be come senior year will be someone he is so proud of. Ole Miss has always given me a sense of safety. Even though it is a large SEC school, Ole Miss has a way of making its people feel known and loved,” Ball said. “I will miss that feeling of being known and supported by a community of people. I will also miss my friends who have truly changed my life and made me the person I am today.”
Amari Johnson, a senior English major from Ocean Springs, Miss., hopes to end the spring semester with pride in herself and her hard work while also taking time to think about her future.
“(I have) a larger workload this semester, including extracurricular activities. I hope that I am able to juggle it all and do well in the end,” Johnson said. “Teaching has been my dream job since I was a little girl. I love working with children, and I really want to combat the literacy crisis we’re in.”
Looking back on her time at Ole Miss, Johnson appreciated the community that has helped her along the way.
“I will definitely miss my friends most of all. As a queer person of color in Mississippi, it can be really hard to find like-minded people that you can be completely comfortable around. My friends have really helped me along the way,” Johnson said.
Johnson emphasized the importance of perseverance when giving advice to herself as a freshman.
“I would tell my freshman self not to give up. I graduated from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and those were two very hard years of my college career,” Johnson said. “I am a first-generation college student, so I didn’t really have help when it came to my future, so I went to city college. I worked two jobs while taking online classes to save up and move here. I’d let her know that she makes it happen in the end.”
