For many, our college years hold an essential part of young adulthood that teaches us a lot about who we are. University can have a big impact–whether it be the friends made, new hobbies discovered, or realizations about one’s sense of identity. As graduation season rapidly approaches, senior Krystal Yoo (nutrition science) reflects on her time here at Andrews University and the lessons she has learned, as well as advice for other undergraduates.
Krystal arrived as a freshman at Andrews in the fall of 2022. “At first, I didn’t really want to come [to Andrews] because I wasn’t Adventist,” she said. However, over her time at Andrews, there were religious experiences that helped her to grow closer to Christ and led her to do Bible studies with Pastor Tony which led to her baptism in February 2024. Since then, Krystal has become a leader for the Living Springs Fellowship small groups; one of her favorite memories is “going apple picking and making apple pies, before having worship on Friday evenings.”
Krystal was, and still is, very involved with the Korean-American Student Association (KASA) on campus during her time here. After joining KASA in her sophomore year, she worked mainly as a social team representative and assisted with coordinating and planning the campus-wide events that KASA holds. In her junior year, she became social vice president. She reflects on her favorite event being the annual Night Market event, where multiple clubs collaborate to sell cultural cuisines, play games and have music. Currently, she is serving as the executive vice president of the club.
The spontaneous little moments that we experience in university life have as much impact as classes and studies. Krystal reflects on her time with friends and making key memories: “I like going to the beach with my friends to play spikeball and eat Silver Beach Pizza and get Kilwin’s blueberry waffle cone ice cream. Another of my favorite memories at Andrews is waking up early on Monday mornings with my suite to get coffee and do morning devotionals. It helped me grow closer to God and to my friends.”
In terms of difficulties at Andrews, the weather in Michigan during the winter season is especially challenging for some. “Every year, I’ve had an accident with the ice on the ground. Krystal 0, Ice 1. I tend to get many injuries over the winter season, and the ice just doesn’t seem to be my friend. In freshman year, when I went tubing behind University Towers, my sled ran into a tree, and the impact caused many injuries.” However, there are still some comforts that the university offers to its students during the winter season. Krystal’s advice is to “show up to all the SILA pop-ups for the free Bundt cakes!”
After graduating from Andrews University this spring, Krystal plans on “taking a gap year to South Korea and will most likely teach there for one semester. For my second semester, I want to go on a mission trip somewhere. After that, I plan on going to dental school.”
In light of the coming graduation season ahead, we now take the opportunity to congratulate the to-be graduates before they go on to start the next chapter of their lives. As Krystal moves forward, she takes a moment to reflect on the lessons that her time at Andrews has provided, and keeps these experiences in mind for her future.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.