Finals Week

As the semester winds down, I’ve been thinking a lot about this class. It has easily been one of the most enjoyable and well-structured courses I’ve taken during my time at ONU. From the start, the class's setup made it feel different in the best way. Instead of just listening to lectures or doing assignments that only take place in the classroom, we got the chance to work with a real client: Osborne Family Retrievers. Having that opportunity made everything feel more meaningful.

It was fun to watch the project grow week by week, and being able to develop something real for an actual family business gave the class a sense of purpose you don’t always get in college. Getting to present our work to the Osborne family near the end of the semester was a highlight; it wrapped the whole experience together and made all the effort feel worth it.

Now that we’ve finished our presentations, it’s officially that time of year: finals week. Luckily for me, this is one of my lighter exam stretches. I’ve only got two true exams left, and the rest of my classes are wrapped up with presentations or projects. Even with the easier finals load, though, there’s no denying that this semester was a grind from start to finish. A good one, but a grind nonetheless.

With break right around the corner, it’s hard not to get excited. A little time to breathe, relax, and reset feels long overdue. But the end of the semester also brings a reminder I’m not sure I’m ready for: there are only a few months left in my time here at ONU.

These past four years have been some of the best of my life. The people, the experiences, the challenges, the growth, I wouldn’t trade any of it. As bittersweet as it is to see the finish line getting closer, I’m grateful for everything this place has given me.

Here’s to a strong finish to the semester, a well-earned break, and making the most of the time we have left.