Post-graduation plans: Lydia will be starting as a research assistant at the Center for Social Development and Education at UMass Boston. Following that experience, she intends to attend graduate school to pursue a doctorate in psychology.
Major: Psychology
Key experiences: Lydia describes herself as more cautious before collegeââsafety proneââbut sheâs been supported here in ways that have pushed her growth. âIâve learned a lot about myself. ⊠Iâve found friends that I really love here, friends that I connected with in ways Iâd never found before,â she says. And her academic advisors have supported her as well, âin not only my academic but also my personal life.â
What she's taking with her as she prepares to graduate: "As I move forward, Iâll probably feel more comfortable in new situations; trying new things, falling in love with different things that I never thought Iâd experience.
"If I could tell my past self one thing, I think Iâd tell her to trust her instincts and take more risksâbreak out of your shell! Be okay with failing! Get back on the horse and try again."
Hometown: Medford, Massachusetts.