As Riverhawk graduates fly into summer, we should reflect on our time at AACC and redefine ourselves before heading to four-year universities.

Instead of viewing graduation as the end of an era, graduates should use it as a stepping stone to future success. Just because some of us are leaving the Riverhawks name behind and embracing the mascots of our new schools doesn’t mean we should stop soaring toward our dreams.

Students who are graduating with a degree in transfer studies and still don’t have  post-graduate career plans should think about what classes they enjoyed taking most at AACC and sign up for similar ones at their new universities or colleges.

They can also consider which classes they didn’t like and avoid choosing careers related to that field of study.

For example, if you still have nightmares about your science prerequisite lab courses, but hold fond memories of the art credits you took, consider following that path instead.

Consider exploring more social-centered majors at your four-year, like communications or psychology.

On the other hand, students graduating with a specific focus or major can use the commencement milestone as an opportunity to ask themselves what more they want out of their educations and seek these opportunities at four-year schools.

Maybe you are earning your degree in business administration or entrepreneurial studies, but you still don’t feel like you have enough experience in the workforce.

Seek internships at your four-year and consider signing up for a few classes of interest outside of your bachelor’s degree requirements to see how to turn the things you enjoy into a potential business or career.

Even if you aren’t planning to attend a four-year college or university after graduating from AACC, what you learned here is still valuable.

Reflect on why you came to AACC in the first place. This could reveal parts of your personality that you can use to build a future, whether that means earning a degree or just freelancing.

The experiences you have had at AACC will prepare you for a successful future regardless of how you got here.

A Riverhawks diploma is much more than just a piece of paper. It is a reminder that you are unique.

Use what you learned as a Riverhawk to achieve your goals, even if they feel out of reach.