College can be one of the most exciting yet stressful times in a person’s life, but graduating is what makes the experience worth it.

At 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, the graduating class of Fall 2011 will don their caps and gowns, thus ending their journey as undergraduates. Graduation can be exciting yet bittersweet. Sitting in the Fant-Ewing Coliseum while various guests speak allows students to reflect on their journey, both the good times and the bad.

Whitney Triplet, an English major, is one of many students to graduate in December. Triplet has had a rough road through college, but she said she is excited to finally graduate.

“My freshman year, I had a 0.06 GPA,” Triplet said. “I was also pregnant last semester, and many people thought that I would not make it.”

Triplet said she has learned to work hard no matter the circumstance, and nothing is ever given to you. Despite what people thought, Triplet has made it to graduation.

“Everything is earned with hard work, and college has taught me that,” she said. Triplet also explained having such a low GPA has taught her “perseverance.”

Jessee Robertson, a political science major, said the idea of graduating is overwhelmingly exciting.

“I feel very fortunate to be one step closer to my dream,” Robertson said.

Both Triplet and Robertson have plans on what they will be doing after college. Triplet plans on becoming a teacher while continuing her education. Triplet also said after a few years, she plans on teaching at the ULM campus. Robertson plans on continuing her education as well by attending law school