5 Friar Things I am Most Grateful For

As I sit here in my house on Liege Street in Providence, Rhode Island -- the city that has become home to me for the past four years -- I can’t help but reflect on my college career here at PC. There are so many things that Providence College has done for me as a person throughout the years, and definitely a lot to be grateful for. Although it is impossible to mention every single thing about my experiences at PC that I am thankful for, I would like to acknowledge the top 5 things in which I am most grateful about this school.

1. Friends: The single most thing I am grateful for about my college career here at Providence are all the friendships I have made. One thing that is special about this school is the type of students that it attracts. The students that you meet here are high quality people-- they are motivated to excel academically and in their professional life post graduation, but also love to have fun. The friendships I have made here are genuine and life-long, as the “Us. We. Together. Family. Friars” motto that we have is as true as it is cheesy. The students here have each other’s back, and are just as interested in seeing their peers succeed as they are in their own personal succession, which I think is an extremely awesome quality, and for that I am grateful.

2. Professors: Most of the professors I have had at this school have been great people. Many of them have positively impacted different aspects of my life, and I have learned a ton from the PC professors and their classes. Even DWC which we greatly dreaded freshman and sophomore year taught me so much about perspective, reality, and overall just life in general. From full time professors to adjuncts, the staff at PC is in your corner. Many of them do everything in their power to help support their students in not just the classroom, but also the transition into adulthood, and for that I am grateful.

3. Opportunities: Another reason why I am grateful for my time at this school is because of the opportunities it has given me. On top of the opportunity I recieved to create friendships with such great people and form relationships with salt of the earth professors, other opportunities this school provided such as spending a semester abroad changed my life. Going abroad was a once in a life-time experience, and I was able to learn so much more about who I am as a person through that semester than I would have been able to in a regular classroom. The opportunities this school has provided me has helped me grow as a scholar and an individual, and for that I am grateful.

4. Campus: The campus itself is another reason why PC is so special and another thing to be grateful for. The beautiful brick buildings, brand new Business and Science Schools, big and clean fitness center, and the turf fields are all state of the art facilities that enhance every student’s collegiate experience significantly. The bright green and flowery landscape makes walking through campus an incredibly pleasant experience. There is a reason why us students are always so excited to return to campus after an academic break, and for that I am grateful.

5. Sporting Events: Some of my favorite college memories can be attributed to our sports programs. Saturday basketball games at the Dunk are a blast. Waking up early to start “preparing” for the game with all your friends is a feeling like no other. Friday night hockey games at Schneider Arena was a huge part of my college career. The student body coming together like it does to support the basketball and hockey team is awesome, and meeting at Bradley Cafe after a big win to celebrate with the school is something I will truly miss. The basketball team upsetting Villanova my sophomore year resulting in the whole student section storming the court will be one of my favorite lifelong memories, and for that I am grateful.

It is so important for us to stay positive during this pandemic, and I find reflecting on my time at PC a great way to keep my mind off all the negativity in the world today. This school has brought so much into my life, and there is definitely a lot to be grateful for. One day I will be able to look back on my college experience and say I regret nothing. From sending the initial application to Providence College as a senior in high school, to our virtual graduation which is scheduled on May 17, I have grown and had unforgettable experiences every step of the way, and for that I am grateful.