Dear Spartan: Wisdom and Reflections from Graduating Senior Nina Bell

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: Nina Bell

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Hometown: Lancaster, PA

Dear Spartan,

When I first stepped onto the York College campus, I didn’t know exactly who I wanted to be, but I knew I wanted to grow. Four years later, I’m leaving with a mechanical engineering degree, unforgettable memories, a clearer sense of purpose, and a community I’ll always carry with me. 

College is complicated and hard, but also so wonderful and filled with opportunities. You’ll have moments where you feel on top of everything, and others where you’re wondering if you're the only one who has no idea what’s going on (you’re not). Keep showing up. Ask questions. Say yes to things that scare you a little. Talk to your professors. Find mentors. Lean on your friends. Stay curious. And give yourself grace when things don’t go perfectly, because they rarely do and that’s okay. 

Some of the best parts of my time here came from things I didn’t plan, conversations I  didn’t expect, the chances I took that led to something better, and the people who reminded me why I chose this place in the first place. 

You’re not here to be perfect. You’re here to grow. So take a breath, keep going, and trust that you’re doing better than you think. 

All the best, 

Nina Bell 

This is Part 3 of our six-part Dear Spartan series. Part 4 is written by Aaron Owens, a Supply Chain Operations Management major.