With commencement just around the corner, every day feels like a ticking clock. As seniors, it starts to feel like every moment needs to count, as if we should always be doing something or making the most of whatever time we have left. The more we thought about it, the more we knew we wanted our last piece for The Hustler to be something meaningful, something that felt true to what we’ve loved most about our roles. We’ve always been drawn to stories that let us step into the Vanderbilt community and learn from others’ experiences. So, for our own “last,” we turned to the moments we’re all quietly holding onto. We hope you enjoy.
Last day of class
For many seniors, the last day of class in their undergraduate careers is certainly a memorable occasion. After eight semesters of early morning wake-ups and familiar walks through campus, attending class at Vanderbilt has become a routine ingrained into daily life. Leela Waterford expressed how the last day of class felt like an abrupt end to that routine.
“It definitely crept up on me. I don’t think I was prepared for it to go by so quickly,” Waterford said.
This sudden end to the sense of normalcy that Vanderbilt seniors have known for the past four years comes with a lot of conflicting emotions.
“It was just very surreal. I can’t tell if college has felt like one year or 10 years,” Waterford said.
For Waterford, the end of her last semester also sparked some moments of self-reflection. She began thinking back to her overall experience at Vanderbilt and what she would have told herself to do differently, starting over as a first-year on the first day of college.
“I would say I think let your friends talk you into things,” Waterford said. “There’s so many opportunities I would have missed out on if not for just following the spontaneity of my friend group.”
Last assignment
For Anna Chen, the feeling of being done with college did not fully sink in until she submitted her last assignment at Vanderbilt.
“I was in disbelief a little bit. I think I was also, in a sense, pushing it off because to me, if I didn’t submit that last assignment, I’m still a student,” Chen said.
Chen completed her studies at Vanderbilt on an otherwise uneventful Tuesday, after submitting her last analysis paper. She describes how wrapping this up alone felt a bit unceremonious.
“When I submitted my last assignment in my room, I was by myself. So, it felt like I was just witnessing this milestone alone. It just felt kind of isolating,” Chen said. “I definitely think if I had a final exam or presentation to end off the semester it would feel a lot different.”
However, Chen manages to find joy by setting her sights on the new opportunities ahead of her in the next chapter of her life.
“For the last few days here, I am planning for my upcoming trip to go back to China and just kind of looking ahead at what the next steps are. I feel like that helps me with feeling sad about graduating from college,” Chen said.
Last day of student teaching
Mary Margaret Freyer wrapped up her college studies a little bit differently. As an Elementary Education major, she already completed all of her courses after the fall semester. Her last semester was spent completing her full-time student teaching internship, which meant she spent the vast majority of the semester away from campus.
“I think the entire semester being a student teacher was a lot different than I expected. It feels so removed from the actual college experience. It’s like you’re working a full-time job. I’m waking up at 6 a.m. every morning and not coming back to campus until 4 p.m.,” Freyer said.
Being immersed in a professional environment, rather than an academic one like most seniors, also affected Freyer’s feelings about the semester coming to an end.
“Being in the classroom every day and being with the kids morning until afternoon, you kind of just feel like you are just ready to do it on your own,” Freyer said.
Last Rites of Spring
Outside of academic milestones, the end of the semester also marked the end of extracurricular activities and student organizations that many seniors were deeply involved in.
As Creative Director and Lead Designer for VPB Music Group, Trieu Vy Truong played a key role in bringing Rites of Spring to life, shaping everything from the festival’s visual identity to its marketing and overall experience.
Behind the scenes, the process was intense. Months of planning came down to a single day, with constant uncertainty leading up to it.
“We were constantly checking weather channels and getting direct words from the university meteorologist,” Truong said. “Given the events of last year, we definitely did not want to [cancel].”
But when the festival finally arrived, everything came together.
“When will you ever get the chance to feel the rain on your skin in your 20s alongside your college friends?” Truong said.
For Truong, the moment it all felt real came near the very end. During the final hour of Rites, seniors on the committee step away from their responsibilities and get to experience the concert as attendees.
“It’s a weird combination of relief, pride and sadness, but we get to be fully present for that final set,” Truong said.
Last game
For Connie Su, some of her most meaningful “lasts” took place on the field. As social chair of the ultimate frisbee team, she helped plan team traditions and events while also competing as a cutter, moving the disc downfield through speed and positioning. Sectionals and regionals represent the peak of the season, where months of practice come together in high-stakes competition against new teams.
“My last sectionals and regionals began like routine,” Su said. “I was still super excited to play with my teammates and wanted to prove myself on the field.”
But by the second day, the weight of the moment set in.
“It was definitely sentimental in the last game knowing we would be doing our tradition of personal shoutouts,” Su said. “It was my last spirit circle and lining up with the other team to say ‘SLOVE’ to my teammates.”
For Su, the experience was about more than just the sport.
“Being part of Surge has given me community through a team setting,” Su said. “Having something to cheer for makes my college experience much more fulfilling.”
Last performance
Disha Nambiar, a member of Double Major A Cappella, has spent the past two and a half years building both community and confidence through music. After transferring to Vanderbilt in 2023, she joined the group and later became concert director, helping lead their once-per-semester showcase.
In the weeks leading up to her final showcase, the process was anything but easy. Between rehearsals, choreography and behind-the-scenes logistics, the show demanded constant attention. But as the night approached, the stress gave way to something more meaningful.
“It was extra emotional because I knew it was my last time being able to work on a production like this,” Nambiar said. “It was no longer about performing the most perfect we could, but rather ensuring that this was a lovely memory that we can cherish forever.”
For Nambiar, Double Major pushed her outside of her comfort zone in ways she hadn’t expected.
“I am so grateful that I went through the scary process that is auditions,” Nambiar said. “My high school and first year of college were always dedicated to focusing on pre-professional extracurriculars, things that I had deemed important to the furthering of my success. By joining Double Major, I was able to continue to explore this passion I held, which changed a lot of my career trajectory, funnily enough.”
Now, as she looks back on her final performance, it’s the people that stand out most.
“I love my Double Major family so, so much, and Vanderbilt wouldn’t be what it was without them,” Nambiar said.
Last Pub visit
An integral portion of the Vanderbilt experience is grabbing a casual meal with friends at the dining hall. With graduation creeping up, these quick catchups will become increasingly difficult as friends spread out and no longer live a short campus walk away from each other.
“I’m going to miss spontaneously meeting my friends at The Pub when we realize we are all free,” Akayla McEwan said. “We don’t have to communicate that because it’s like all my friends are in one place.”
McEwan describes her last meetup with friends for Pub dinner as a moment full of positivity rather than sadness.
“I was just feeling kind of happy with my friends looking back,” McEwan said. “I didn’t even realize that would be my last time actually in The Pub. At the moment, I was just excited to hang around them.”
Last Miranda’s Thursday
But what would the college experience in Nashville be without Broadway? For Joshua Mi, “Miranda’s Thursday” has been a constant throughout his final year, a weekly tradition that brings friends together in the middle of it all.
“Simply put, Miranda’s Thursday is the pinnacle of our week, a steadfast tradition guaranteed to bring seniors together,” Mi said. “I’ll miss rallying all my friends knowing that I have a class the next morning waiting.”
Last Dayway
Similarly, Kelsey Kelley made lasting memories on Broadway during the day, a tradition many Commodores simply call “Dayway.”
“Dayway, to me, is the perfect excuse to gather with all your friends on a weekend and celebrate being together,” Kelley said. “You get to debrief your weeks, listen to great live music and meet people outside the Vandy bubble all at once.”
Over time, those afternoons turned into some of her favorite college memories. That’s what made her last Dayway so bittersweet.
“[My last Dayway] brought me back to the first time I went out with my college friends and made me reflect on everything that’s happened over the past four years, and how much I’ve grown,” Kelley said.
When asked about her favorite Broadway bar, Kelley immediately pointed to Aldean’s.
“Nobody is afraid to dance and the music is typically pretty good,” Kelley said.
From assignments to performances to nights out, there are plenty of “lasts” that seniors at Vanderbilt experience as graduation nears. However, while commencement may spur several “lasts,” it also signals just as many “firsts.” Looking toward the road ahead can spark curiosity and excitement. As two seniors ourselves, there is one more entry for us to add to this list: our last Vanderbilt Hustler article. With it, we encourage fellow seniors to live in the present for these “lasts” and embrace the “firsts” as they come our way.
