Before putting on their caps and gowns, seniors will get an opportunity to reflect on their time at Loyola and look ahead to the future.

The Office of Mission and Ministry will host its Senior Retreat from April 10-11 in Saint Ignatius’ style of reflection and action. The deadline to sign up is March 27, and it costs $20.

This retreat gives graduating seniors a chance to reflect on their time at Loyola and feel calmer about moving forward.

Noelle Lyons, A’14, said that the retreat gave her a chance to get away from the stress of the future.

“This retreat can help you get away from all the pressure you’re facing from everyone — parents, professors, mentors, fellow peers, yourself, et cetera,” Lyons said.

Laura Alexander, assistant director of university ministry, emphasized the importance of the retreat when it comes to celebrating the transition periods in life.

“A lot of times, it’s really easy to just move on to the next thing and not reflect on our experiences. Senior Retreat is a chance for seniors to look back on their time at Loyola and both acknowledge the hard times and celebrate the great moments,” Alexander said.

At the Ignatian-based retreat, the seniors will focus on methods of self-reflection and prayer.

They will also partake in spiritual exercises for the holistic personal growth of their minds, spirits and bodies. Alumni will give talks about their post-graduation experiences to help these new graduates feel more comfortable with the transition out of college.

Christine Johnson, A‘14, said she remembers that she felt calmer about the future after the retreat because she realized it was not necessary to have a plan for post-grad success.

“It’s been a year since the retreat, and I can now verify that that’s true. I also left with a lot of practical tips that helped quell my anxieties about things I thought I was supposed to automatically know,” Johnson said.

After the retreat, graduates came to the conclusion that it is fine not to be prepared for changes, or for the future because they seldom go as planned.

Julie Wischan, A’14, said she learned how to adapt to the changes in her life while not changing herself at Loyola.

“I think it’s more important to be able to stay true to yourself no matter how things change, whether according to your original plan or not. Truly understanding yourself is the first step, and that’s what Loyola has helped to shape,” Wischan said.