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"How did it get so late so soon.
It’s night before it’s afternoon.
December before it’s June.
My goodness, how the time has flewn.
How did it get so late so soon?”
— Dr. Seuss
1,861,920 minutes. 31,032 hours. 1,293 days.
Somehow, those fleeting numbers have carried me from my first day at the University of
Louisville to my last semester as a McConnell Scholar. The time between August 2021 and now
has passed in the blink of an eye, filled with long nights of studying, endless cups of coffee, late-
night conversations with friends, and opportunities that have shaped me in ways I never
expected.
The realization that my undergraduate journey is coming to a close brings a mixture of
emotions: nostalgia, gratitude, and an eagerness for what comes next. As I reflect on the
experiences that have defined my time here, I am reminded of three key lessons, ones that have
been reinforced in the classrooms of UofL, through leadership in student government, and even
along the cobblestone streets of Rome and London during our class trip this past summer.
1. The World is Bigger Than We Think and Smaller Than We Realize
"A man who has not been in Italy, is always conscious of an inferiority, from his not having seen
what it is expected a man should see."
— Samuel Johnson
This past summer, I had the privilege of traveling to Italy and the UK with my fellow McConnell
Scholars. Walking through the Roman Forum, standing beneath the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica,
and visiting the British Parliament reminded me of something profound: the world is vast, rich
with history, and full of perspectives beyond our own experiences.
Yet, despite the miles between Kentucky and Westminster, I was struck by how interconnected
our world truly is. In conversations with historians and scholars abroad, I saw the universal
themes that unite us: the desire for good governance, the pursuit of knowledge, and the need for
meaningful human connection. Whether in the halls of government in Washington, D.C. or the
corridors of Oxford, people are navigating the same fundamental questions about leadership,
justice, and progress.
This lesson has shaped how I view my own ambitions. As I prepare to step into the next chapter,
whether in consulting, law, or public service, I carry with me a newfound awareness of the
importance of global perspectives and lifelong learning.
2. True Leadership Requires Both Strength and Humility
"A leader is best when people barely know he exists... When his work is done, his aim fulfilled,
they will say: we did it ourselves."
— Lao Tzu
One of the greatest privileges of my time at UofL has been serving in student government and
learning from the incredible leaders around me. From advocating for students on issues of tuition
and policy to collaborating with administrators on major campus initiatives, I have come to
understand that true leadership is not about authority. It is about empowerment.
The best leaders I have met, whether on this campus or in my travels, are those who listen before
they speak, lift others up, and recognize that progress is never a solo endeavor. Watching my
peers fight for meaningful change and watching faculty pour their energy into students has
reaffirmed that leadership is not about individual success, but about building something greater
than yourself.
3. Gratitude Changes Everything
"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have
was once among the things you only hoped for."
— Epicurus
It is easy to get caught up in stress, ambition, and the next big goal, but one of the most
important lessons I have learned is that gratitude transforms how we experience life.
Looking back, it is not the grades, the titles, or the deadlines that stand out the most. It is the
small, irreplaceable moments:
- The quiet laughter with friends in the McConnell Center
- The late nights in the SGA office working on initiatives that mattered
- The feeling of standing in the Sistine Chapel, in complete awe of human creativity
- The professors who have challenged and inspired me
- The mentors who have believed in me
If I could give my younger self advice, it would be this: cherish the present, because time moves
faster than you think.
Final Thoughts: What Comes Next?
"How did it get so late so soon?"
I still do not have an answer to Dr. Seuss’ question, but maybe that is the point. Time will always
move quickly, and change will always come, but what matters most is how we use the moments
we are given.
As I prepare to graduate, I leave with gratitude for the experiences I have had, the lessons I have
learned, and the people who have shaped me. The next chapter is uncertain, but if my time at
UofL has taught me anything, it is that the best things in life often come unexpectedly.
To those who still have time left, soak in every moment, say yes to every opportunity, and never
take a single day for granted.
Time flies, but it is up to us to make the most of it.
Shelby Disney is a McConnell Scholar in the class of 2025. He is studying economics and political science.