Dear younger me: Advice from current and previous Lipscomb students

With just a few months until graduation, students are starting to sweat about what comes next. Will it be a job, graduate school, marriage and a family? If anxiety is keeping you up at night, advice from former students might help you rest easier.

As the end of the semester approaches, seniors preparing to graduate from college find themselves on the brink of commencement. With May 4 drawing nearer, they are confronted with lots of uncertainties: What lies ahead after graduation? Will I find a job? Where will I live?

As seniors grapple with these pressing questions, they may also reflect on inquiries they once posed to their younger selves.

Herd Media asked Carson Coward, a senior majoring in Law, Justice, and Society from Mt. Juliet, for her best guidance. “​​I would have given myself more grace,” said Coward. “I believe that everyone is probably way too hard on themselves, and we all deserve some grace.”

Carson Coward (Photo Creds: Carson Coward)

In addition to reflecting on her journey, Coward shared some wisdom for those following in her footsteps. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s through therapy, a trusted mentor, parents, etc, I believe that finding help through your community is a beautiful thing that everyone should be open to,” she said. 

Coward emphasized the value of having a trusted individual to talk to about college and what comes next. Guidance from others can help in gaining a clearer understanding of their surroundings and circumstances.

Seniors are beginning to contemplate life after school. Herd Media also interviewed Ava Coomer, a Franklin alumna who graduated in 2023 with a major in Business Management. When asked about the advice she would offer her senior self, Coomer responded, “Slow down. Take a breath. Make friends with the people you’re doing group projects with. Build relationships with your professors. Go hang out with your friends even if you have an 8 am class. The only thing you will regret about your college life is not living enough.” 

Coomer discussed what she misses about college. “If I could go back in time, I wish I could have breathed a little more and not have taken the small things for granted. The things that may have been an inconvenience while I was at Lipscomb is something I miss every day,” she said. “Between forgetting my towel in my dorm while taking a shower and having to wait for my roommate to bring it to me, or forgetting to study for a test because I was hanging out with my friends, these are all moments to cherish. Your college life will flash right before your eyes.” 

Ava Coomer with son Easton (Photo Cred: Ava Coomer)

Seeing the achievements of alumni in their college and subsequent careers can provide current students with examples to guide their paths. Individuals must lean on the support of those around them to navigate through this significant phase in their lives.

After graduation, Coomer tied the knot with her best friend, and they now have a 1-year-old son named Easton. She works as a project manager at a print management firm in Franklin. Following her undergraduate studies at Lipscomb, Coward plans to pursue a master’s degree in Public Administration.