Tori Irvin is a senior majoring in communication science and disorders. Photo by Alyssa Green
Dear Montevallo Students,
My name is Tori Irvin, and I am so excited to serve as your SGA President this year! Whether you’re an incoming freshman or a senior preparing for graduation, I want to welcome you back for another year on our beautiful campus.
As I’ve prepared for my senior year, I have been reflecting on my past three years spent here at Montevallo. I wouldn’t trade my time spent here for anything, and I have a few pieces of advice I’ve picked up along the way.
It doesn’t matter if you’re new or old, Montevallo has a place for you this year, and I urge you to take advantage of your time in college. There are so many unique opportunities for you as a UM student, everything from undergraduate research, to joining organizations, to participating in the centennial College Night productions!
One of my favorite qualities of our campus is that there is a home for everyone, as long as you go out and search for it. My first piece of advice to you is to get involved! If you step outside of your comfort zone and participate in activities beyond attending class, you will form lifelong friendships and gain the necessary experience for one day entering the workforce.
My next piece of advice is to build relationships with our faculty and staff, especially in your department. Our professors and staff members are some of the most thoughtful, caring and considerate people I have ever met. Thanks to our small class sizes, we have a unique opportunity in getting to know our professors and enriching our learning experience.
Most of our faculty members have spent time working hands-on in the field they are teaching, and we as students can learn valuable lessons from them that will prepare us for our futures. Whether it’s a talk about class, a discussion on career options or even just a chat about everyday life, I urge you to visit your professors during office hours! I know they would love to hear from you.
My final and perhaps most important advice to offer is this: Cherish the small moments that come along the way. Although it may seem insignificant at the time, those late nights in the library studying for an exam will someday be a cherished memory. I urge you to go on that late-night McDonald’s run, dress up with your friends for the Tacky Prom or just sit on the floor watching funny YouTube videos all night long. In the end, when we’ve all graduated and moved on to bigger and better things, those are the moments that will stick out the most.
Of course, focus on class and keep your grades up, but don’t forget to have a little bit of fun in the process. Your time spent here at this University will be some of the best years of your life, so be sure to make the most of it.
Good luck. The year is in your hands.
Sincerely,
Tori Irvin
