The Best Christmas Gift: Graduating from High Point University
By Sophia Cina, Student Circulation Assistant, Smith Library
Doesn’t it feel like just yesterday we were filling out the Common App and choosing the colleges that felt right for us? One moment you are attending admitted student days, planning out dorm décor, and reassuring your parents that you will call often. The next moment you are moving into your new home on campus and beginning a chapter you have been dreaming about for years.
You meet your roommate, you learn your way around campus, you start discovering your favorite study spots, and somewhere in between the classes, the friends, the clubs, and the food trucks, you begin to build a life you never could have imagined. Then suddenly you find yourself picking up your cap and gown from the bookstore. The time passes so quickly that it almost feels unreal.
My name is Sophia Cina and this December I am graduating from High Point University. As a Biology major on the Pre-Physician Assistant track my college experience has been filled with academic growth, wonderful friendships, and important moments that shaped me into the woman I am becoming. Throughout all of it the library has been one of the places that supported me the most.
Reflections on My Time with the Library
What did the library mean to you during your time at HPU?
The library became the center of my academic routine and one of the most grounding places on campus. It was where I learned how to study effectively, manage long semesters, and find a sense of calm during stressful times. Whether I was reviewing biology notes in the quiet corners of the Wanek Learning Commons or settling into floor two of Smith for focused work, the library provided an environment that helped me grow into a more capable and confident student.
What made working in the library special?
Working in the library gave me a true sense of community. Jordan Stackhouse, Nita Williams, Bryan Nicholls, Suzanne Milano, and Leanne Jernigan are some of the kindest and most dedicated people I have ever met. They lead with compassion, patience, and genuine care for students. Their belief in me shaped my confidence and made me feel supported throughout my time here. Being surrounded by people who love what they do made the library feel like a second home.
What moment stands out the most from your library experience?
The library hosting a launch event for my book, Not Smart, Driven is a moment I will never forget. The staff catered food, reserved the movie theater for my reading, and created an event that felt thoughtful, beautiful, and genuinely celebratory. Bryan Nicholls and Suzanne Milano were instrumental in turning my dream into a reality. Their enthusiasm and support made that day one of the most meaningful experiences of my entire college journey.
How did the library support your goals as both a writer and a future PA?
The library supported two major sides of who I am: the student and the writer. As a Biology major preparing for a future as a Physician Assistant, it gave me the structure and quiet I needed to stay disciplined. As the author of a book, Not Smart, Driven, it gave me the creative space to write. Many chapters were drafted during long, peaceful afternoons in the Wanek Learning Commons and Smith Library. The staff encouraged me every step of the way and made me feel capable of pursuing both science and storytelling.
How did being part of the Libraries’ Outreach Team impact you?
Being part of the Outreach Team was one of the most rewarding parts of working in the library. It allowed me to be creative, imaginative, and connected to the student body in a new way. I designed a motivating back-to-school display at the beginning of the year and later created a witch-themed Halloween display, both of which helped me express myself artistically. Outreach helped me build friendships, think creatively, and learn from a team that inspired me through their commitment and vision.
A Heartfelt Goodbye
As graduation approaches, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the experiences, mentors, friendships, and places that shaped my time at High Point University. The library stands at the center of so many of those memories.
Graduating from High Point University feels like the best Christmas gift I could have asked for. It is a gift wrapped in memories, tied with growth, and filled with gratitude.
Thank you to the HPU Libraries for being part of my journey. Thank you to HPU for giving me a home that I will forever be proud to return to.
Here is to the next chapter. Warmly and wholeheartedly.
