Dear Spartan: Wisdom and Reflections from Graduating Senior Lara Hummer

At York College of Pennsylvania, we believe that every Spartan's journey is filled with lessons worth sharing. As part of our Dear Spartan project, six graduating seniors — representing a wide variety of majors and experiences — wrote letters to future students, offering reflections, advice, and encouragement. Their words capture the heart of what it means to be a Spartan.

Name: Lara Hummer

Major: Nursing

Hometown: Elizabethtown, PA

Dear Spartan, 

It’s hard to believe that my time here at York College is coming to a close. When I first arrived, I had no idea how impactful this chapter of my life would turn out to be. Now, as I reflect, I want to share some lessons I’ll carry with me. My name is Lara Hummer, and I am a Nursing major with minors in Neuroscience and Psychology. Being part of the May 2025 graduating class, I’ve grown academically and personally in countless ways over the past four years. My biggest piece of advice is to invest in yourself, so let’s break that down into five pieces. 

Education and skill development 

With the new freedom you have in college, it might be tempting to skip classes, but success starts with showing up. What you put into your education is what you will get out of it, so go to your classes ready to learn. Stay open-minded and challenge yourself, because pushing through difficulties is one of the best ways to learn. As a freshman, organization and time management proved difficult as I adapted to college. I had lots of assignments to do, but sometimes had trouble keeping track of what was due when. I decided to organize all of my assignments for the semester into a master Google spreadsheet to help me stay on track, and that was something I did each semester after. College classes can feel like information overload at times, but don’t let that discourage you. Instead of giving up, focus on learning from challenges and growing through them. 

Form professional connections 

You’ve probably heard, “It’s not just what you know, but who you know.” Personally, I’d say it’s a bit of both, but networking is certainly essential in college. Professional relationships can open doors you may have never considered, and help you advance in your field by gaining a mentor, work experience, or knowledge. Ever since a career shadow I did for a class in 10th grade, I knew that I wanted to go into nurse anesthesia. I had the opportunity to make some great connections with some of the faculty of the nurse anesthetist program here at York College, and I have been able to sit in on a lecture, participate in a skills lab, and speak to students in the grad program, which is somewhere I hope to be in a few years. No matter your field, take the time to connect with professors and professionals in your area of interest. You never know what opportunities might come from it! 

Get involved 

It may sound cliché, but it really is important to involve yourself in clubs and organizations. Beyond professional networking, this is a really great way to meet people and make friends with similar mindsets and interests as you. I stepped out of my comfort zone, and I am so grateful that I did, because I have made some great friendships in my four years here. In addition to making friends, clubs can provide professional growth opportunities. Through the Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania club, I was able to attend a state nursing

conference, which hosted great speakers, and connected me with potential employers and grad schools. Clubs offer leadership positions, allowing you to develop and strengthen those skills. Beyond this, YCP offers club sports, student employment, and volunteering, all of which are great ways to engage with the campus community. Whether you’re interested in academics, athletics, service, or something else, there’s something for everyone! 

Health and wellbeing 

As a nursing student, I often hear, “How can you care for others if you don’t care for yourself?” Taking care of yourself is the foundation for success. Make sleep a priority, so that means no all-nighters! Poor sleep increases stress and makes it harder to focus and retain information. Try to eat a balanced diet, even if it takes time to adjust to the dining options and meal plans. The Grumbacher gym is a great place to get some exercise, and YCP’s beautiful campus makes for a great place to take a walk. Self-care isn’t just about physical health; it is also important to make time to do things you enjoy. Whether it’s watching a movie, gaming, reading, grabbing coffee at Starbucks, or spending time with friends, taking breaks is essential. College is demanding, but balancing work with self-care will make your experience far more enjoyable. 

Utilize your resources 

York College offers so many great resources, so take advantage of them! Counseling services are great for anyone who might be struggling, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you or someone you know may need some extra help. The Academic Success Center provides advising and tutoring, which I’ve seen firsthand can be incredibly helpful. As a tutor myself, I can confidently say the peer tutors and staff are welcoming and genuinely want to see students succeed. The Career Development Center is another fantastic resource for career guidance, internships, and interview prep. I set up a mock interview with one of the staff members to help me prepare for a job interview, and she gave me wonderful feedback on my approach to answering interview questions. She also conducted a resume review and helped me optimize it for my interview. I firmly believe that preparation played a big role in me securing that job on my first-choice unit, a surgical ICU! 

As you transition into your college journey, I encourage you to invest in yourself throughout this next chapter! York College is an incredible place to learn and develop skills, friendships, and lessons that will stick with you for life. College will challenge you, but in a few years, you’ll look back and see just how much you’ve grown. I hope you’ll make the most of every opportunity and embrace all that this college experience has to offer! 

Wishing you all the best, 

Lara Hummer

This is Part 6 of our six-part Dear Spartan series. Thank you to our seniors for sharing their journeys with the next generation of Spartans. We can't wait to see how each of you continues to make your mark on the world — and we look forward to welcoming future Spartans ready to forge their own paths.