Hi, my name is Sam. I’m a Business Economics and Finance double major and I’ve also had the privilege of working as a Cowboy Coach at the University of Wyoming. I’m graduating in the spring of 2026, which still feels surreal to say out loud. For a long time, graduation felt like some distant milestone that only existed in the future. Now it’s right in front of me. But getting here wasn’t a straight line. My story in college has been filled with a mix of highs and lows, moments of excitement and growth paired with challenges I never expected to face. To really understand what this journey has meant to me, you have to go all the way back to 2022, when I first stepped onto campus.

Fall 2022 – Freshman Year: Learning Independence

This was the beginning of everything. I remember the feeling so clearly: excitement, nerves and a strange sense of independence all at once. Moving into the dorms was my first real taste of living away from home. Sharing a 12-by-12-foot room with another person was, to put it simply, an adjustment. It wasn’t just about the lack of space—it was about learning how to coexist, how to manage your time and how to find moments for yourself when you’re rarely ever alone.

I did everything I could to stay busy and spend time outside the dorm. Between classes, going to the gym and even stretching out meals in the dining hall, I found ways to create space for myself. I even learned my roommate’s schedule so I’d know when I could have the room to myself. Looking back, it might sound a little over the top, but those small habits made a big difference in helping me adjust.

As stressful as that adjustment was, I got used to it faster than I expected. And beyond the stress, there were so many incredible moments. Freshman year is full of firsts—meeting new people, trying new activities and stepping into a completely new environment. There were endless nights of hanging out, talking and building friendships that would carry me through the rest of my college experience. Going to my first football game was unforgettable—the energy, the crowd, the sense of community. It was one of those moments where you really feel like you’re part of something bigger.

More than anything, freshman year taught me independence. For the first time, I was fully responsible for myself, my schedule, my health, my decisions. It was exciting, but it also came with responsibility. I had to learn how to balance freedom with accountability. Talking with professors about time management and expectations helped more than I could have imagined. That guidance gave me a foundation that I would rely on for the rest of my time in college.

Fall 2023 – Sophomore Year: Loss, Growth and Perspective

This was a rough one. My dad passed away from a freak accident that October and this marked the biggest struggle I’d been through. A piece of who I was had left. During that time, the support I received from my professors and the university meant everything. They showed understanding and compassion in ways that went far beyond academics. Whether it was offering flexibility with deadlines or simply being there to listen, they helped me navigate a period where nothing felt normal. The structure of school became something I could hold onto—a sense of consistency in the middle of chaos.

Even in such a difficult year, there were still moments of growth. In the spring of that same academic year, I made the decision to study abroad in Linz, Austria through the university’s sister school program. I wanted a change of scenery, something that would push me out of my comfort zone and help me see life from a different perspective. In many ways, it was my way of stepping away and resetting.

That experience changed me. Living in another country, meeting people from different cultures and navigating life in a completely unfamiliar environment broadened my understanding of the world and my place in it. It taught me resilience, adaptability and a deeper appreciation for human connection. It also showed me how important it is to take risks and embrace new opportunities. Without the support of the university’s program, I wouldn’t have been able to afford or even consider something like that. It was one of the most impactful decisions I’ve ever made.

Fall 2024 – Junior Year: Rebuilding and Finding Purpose

I returned to a place that held so many memories, including some very painful ones. It felt like stepping back into a version of my life that I had tried to move forward from. But this time, I wasn’t the same person who had left. I had grown, even if that growth came from difficult experiences.

That year brought new academic challenges as well. Courses like accounting and financial statement analysis pushed me in ways I hadn’t been challenged before. Balancing those demands with everything else going on in my life wasn’t easy, but it forced me to develop discipline and persistence.

One of the most meaningful parts of my junior year came in the spring semester when I became a Cowboy Coach. This role allowed me to serve as a peer mentor to other students, many of whom were going through their own struggles. It gave me a sense of purpose. I was no longer just trying to get through my own challenges—I was helping others navigate theirs.

Being a Cowboy Coach gave me a new support system as well. It felt like joining a family of people who genuinely cared about each other and the students they were helping. It also gave me the opportunity to turn my experiences—both the good and the bad—into something meaningful. I could relate to students who felt overwhelmed or lost because I had been there myself.

Fall 2025 – Senior Year: Preparing for What’s Next

This was the beginning of the end, in a way. I had worked my way up within my role and taken on more leadership responsibilities. It was rewarding to see how far I had come, both professionally and personally.

At the same time, reality started to set in. Graduation was approaching and with it came the transition into the workforce. I was finishing my last classes, applying for jobs, completing internships and trying to figure out what came next. The idea of stepping fully into adulthood was both exciting and intimidating.

But through it all, I felt prepared. The experiences I had gone through—the challenges, the successes, the lessons—had shaped me into someone who could handle uncertainty. I had built strong connections, developed valuable skills and gained a deeper understanding of myself.

Looking back, my time at the University of Wyoming has been anything but easy. It’s been filled with moments of joy and moments of pain, successes and setbacks. But through it all, I’ve learned that having the right people around you makes all the difference. Support systems—whether they come from friends, family, professors, or peers—are what carry you through the hardest times.

The opportunities I’ve had here, from studying abroad to becoming a Cowboy Coach, have shaped who I am today. They’ve helped me grow into someone who is resilient, adaptable and ready to face whatever comes next.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you’re capable of more than you think. Even in the lowest moments, there’s a way forward. And sometimes, simply believing that you can make it through is the most important step.

On that note, Sam Welsh, out.