By Caroline Bass, UNC Media Hub
How is it already time to get up? It feels like I just laid down.
The sound of the blaring alarm indicates it is, in fact, 4 a.m. and time to make the trudge — I mean hike — to the archaeological excavation site of a fifth century synagogue in Huqoq, Israel. I was told it was a mile, but somehow it feels like three miles, uphill, both ways.
As a proud member of the UNC School of Media and Journalism, I was a part of a team of 14 journalists to report on UNC’s role in this archaeological site of ancient Galilee.
My post-graduate plan vastly differed from some of the luxurious vacations that consume social media feeds. Sweat, dirt and more dirt gave the appearance of a summer glow as our team of reporters, photographers and videographers documented the students and scholars excavating the site.
A month ago, at 4 a.m., I was worrying in my bed in Chapel Hill, sorting through a checklist of items in my head. Was my graduation gown wrinkle free? Would the rain hold off for the big day? What am I going to do with my life?
One day you wake up and feel as though you must have all the answers. That day was graduation day. As you leave the comfortable community you’ve grown to love, you realize becoming a working professional was something that seemed far off in the distance for so long. The fear of the unknown. The harsh reality of becoming a grown-up. One foot in, one foot out. Growing pains as they say.
The last weeks of my college experience were dominated by final exams, job interviews and the overwhelming need to do everything I could to commemorate my time as a Tar Heel.
Tears streamed down my face with each step I took down the stairs of Carmichael Arena as I said goodbye to the community that welcomed me as a girl and said, “see you later” to a young woman.