With graduation approaching, students of CSU Stanislaus find themselves feeling eager, nostalgic, and hopeful toward stepping into the next chapter of their story. With the many lessons learned and plenty of growth obtained, seniors embody resilience and determination to complete the courses required to receive their degrees. 
Lesley Fuentes (senior, Art History) shares her carbonated and bubbly emotions as she opens up about her last semester here on campus.
“One thing I’m excited about as a senior is the final lessons I will learn that will make an impact on my career, along with meeting new people one last time,” she said. 
Senior year is full of memory making and one can close up the year with a plethora of laughs and connections. 
Alina Yang (senior, English) is graduating, her academic journey isn’t over.
“With my future plans to go to Grad School, this short experience will hopefully be elongated,” she said. “My passion to learn does not stop here.” 
Soleil Jones (senior, English) says she’s looking forward to facing the next phase of her life. 
“It’s something I’m grateful for, especially as a senior and first-generation graduate on both sides of the family,” she said. 
Jasmine Pimentel (senior, English) is feeling grateful to the professors and her fellow students who have made an impact on her.
“I feel euphoric about being at the finish line and thankful for the English Department,” she said. “I’ve had a captivating experience within the last four years with professors and my peers at this campus.” 
Matthew Valverde (senior, Creative Media)  adds, “I’m excited to finally finish what I started years ago. I think the feeling of being so close to something that can’t be taken away is what I’m most ready for this year.” 
Along with the exciting feelings that tie in with being a senior, there is a lot of vulnerability and accountability that plays a huge role in a student’s success throughout the course of their last year. 
Fuentes shares she’s feeling senior stress.
“I fear I will become lazy but it’s also a good motivation to keep myself on track for graduation,” she said. “I’m ready to exceed my own expectations.”
Valverde added that he feels nervous but good. 
“When I look back I know these emotions would have all been worth it,” he said. “My goals for this semester are to stay focused, execute what needs to be done and remember ‘jobs not finished’ as Kobe would say.”
Like coffee that’s first brewed in the morning, the spring semester of a new year can be a fresh and soothing start for many. 
Fuentes explained that her ambition this year is to fully focus on advancing towards a new beginning with her career after graduation.
“This semester, my goal is to manage my own time with assignments along with my personal life,” she said. “I don’t want to beat myself up for the smallest things. I want to achieve my goals and remain happy.” 
Valverde added that his ambitions are to continue being a better person along with growing mentally and physically.
“I think as we grow older and wiser, our thought process changes and I understand things more thoroughly,” he said. “I wish to continue doing so and learn.” 
Jones emphasizes, “I hope to make better connections with Writing Center Tutees, find an extra way to be involved in school, pass my courses, and prioritize myself among all of the academia … I refuse to be submerged in it in a way that would drown me.”
Pimentel is striving for good grades this semester. 
“My ambition this year is to apply to Stanislaus’ Teaching Credential program and start subbing locally to give back to our school districts,” she said. “I want to go on the Dean’s List one last time and I’m hoping to qualify for Magna Cum Laude for graduation.”
Yang hopes she’ll be able to inspire others by sharing her story with the through writing.
“I want to get in touch with my cultural and traditional side of myself,” she said. “I hope to release or publish work about my journey, and my life as a Hmong American first-generation student.” 
With the spring semester just beginning, seniors of Stan State are both thrilled and determined to finish their last semester strong.