It’s almost time for the class of 2024 to start a new chapter in their life.

Luke Morgan, senior, is about to take the next step after being a Panther for the past four years.

“It was crazy kind of surreal that it’s happening already,” said Morgan.

They say time flies when you are having fun, and Morgan knows the feeling.

“It has felt like the days are getting shorter. The closer it gets to graduation day,” said Morgan.

Going from college to the real world can be intimidating or scary for people, and Morgan is no different.

“It’s very exciting but a little scary, but I feel like I’m ready for it,” said Morgan.

People tend to want to go back and change the past to give them a better future or make sure they don’t have rough experiences, but Morgan wouldn’t have it any other way.

“The last four years have been the best years of my life. There’s been some ups and downs, but I wouldn’t change it,” said Morgan.

It’s not just busy for the students, but the faculty and staff also get more work toward the end of the term.

“It gets hectic at that point because seniors are ready to graduate, but they still have quite a bit of work to do. So trying to get them to complete everything and all the requirements for graduation (is a lot),” said Jill Adams, vice president of student affairs.

When people go to college straight out of high school, they are still teenagers, but when they graduate they are young adults and the faculty gets to see them grow.

“Being able to see a freshman come in and watch them grow but also seeing them walk across the stage and completing that four years–to me, that makes it worth seeing the type of young man or women they became,” said Adams.

Practice makes perfect, and the day before graduation is the day the seniors prepare for their big day.

“Friday is really all about getting ready for commencement. It’s getting ready for graduation, lunch goes into pictures, and then the baccalaureate service. Friday is really for preparing,” said Adams.

Seniors also face the challenge of what is next? Do they go to work straight out of school, travel, or do they go back to school?

“There are a lot of decisions they have to make of what they are going to do next. Some of them know already, and some are waiting for different options of graduate school or employment. I think it’s hectic for seniors because it’s a big change in their life,” said Leslie Holden, director of career services.

People might think that once they graduate, they won’t be able to get help from their school, but Ferrum is different.

“It can be two or three years, and you’re looking to change jobs. You know, email me, and we’ll go through it via email, phone, or Zoom,” said Holden.

It’s the final stretch. Seniors are finishing up resumes or making LinkedIn accounts.

“This is the time of year it starts getting busy. We also have several courses that are doing mock interviews as part of their course, and so I take the opportunity to do the interview and look at their resume. Definitely, the last month of the semester gets busy,” said Holden.