UNC Greensboro’s Class of 2024 is embarking on their next big adventure. They’re bringing their celebrations to a close and reflecting on the memories they made on campus. UNCG knows they will put their knowledge to good use, creating remarkable, real-world impact every day, and the University does not want that wisdom to be lost on campus.
Some of this year’s graduates left a message for another set of seniors, specifically those graduating from high school and preparing for that move into higher education in the fall. This is the wisdom they want to pass on to the next generation of Spartans.
![UNCG 2024 grad Shyde' Underwood in her cap and gown.](https://www.uncg.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/senior-wisdom-shyde-306591-E4.jpg)
Explore all the potential career paths that can come from this major and build relationships with your professors because they genuinely care about your growth and success.
Shyde’ Underwood
Human development and family studies major with a child, youth, and family development concentration; minors in psychology and American Sign Language
Build strong and meaningful relationships! Communicate with your professors, get to know your roommates and Resident Advisors, connect with UNCG staff members, etc. College is a connection point to wonderfully diverse people, experiences, and knowledge – you just have to seek it out. Eventually, you will leave with a degree (or degrees), but the people you met along the way will hold a very special place in your life.
Ayana Cholula
Higher education major with a student affairs administration concentration
![UNCG 2024 grad Ayana Cholula shows off her decorated graduation cap.](https://www.uncg.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/senior-wisdom-ayana-306591-E5.jpg)
![UNCG 2024 grad Lexi Hoopman in her cap and gown.](https://www.uncg.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/senior-wisdom-lexi-306591-E2.jpg)
I advise new students to get involved in whatever capacity works best for and excites them. Being involved helps you feel more a part of the community and builds a sense of belonging. That being said, also learn to protect your time and health. Knowing your limitations and honoring them is a strength!
Lexi Hoopman
PhD in environmental health science
There is no right path to discover who you are and what you want. Be brave and take chances. This campus gives you the opportunity to find new communities and new interests every single day, and taking advantage of that is the reason for my success here. It’s up to you how much you squeeze out of this experience.
Pooja Tadepalli
Business administration with a concentration in management; minor in psychology
![UNCG 2024 grad Pooja Tadepalli holds up her graduation stole.](https://www.uncg.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/senior-wisdom-pooja-306591-E3.jpg)
![UNCG 2024 grad Kevin Hogan in his cap and gown.](https://www.uncg.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/senior-wisdom-kevin-306591-E1.jpg)
Never settle. One of the many things my faculty members did well was push students to see themselves creating positive change in our field. They instilled a desire to be changemakers at the forefront of the field, and they provided the knowledge and resources to do just that, but it takes drive from the student to achieve that.
Kevin Logan
Major in higher education with a student affairs administration concentration
Graduating high school is no easy feat, so you should celebrate every single step of the way. Don’t be too nervous about college; I know your teachers have told you about how strict and scary and difficult it is, but it’s far from it. In the least stereotypical cliche way, college is a place where you simply grow as a person into a young adult. As long as you can manage your time to balance work and play, you’ll be perfectly fine and have more free time than you think.
Trinity Shealy
Biology major with a pre-veterinary concentration; minors in chemistry and classical studies
![UNCG 2024 grad Trinity Shealy tosses her graduation cap while wearing her gown.](https://www.uncg.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/senior-wisdom-trinity-306591-E6.jpg)
Story by Janet Imrick, University Communications
Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications; and courtesy of Ayana Cholula, Pooja Tadepalli, and Trinity Shealy