By Kaya Aguirre / Staff Writer

As Lent comes to a close, many students take a minute to reflect on what this time period meant to them. Revealing a mix of sacrifice, growth and personal struggle shaped by their own experiences.

For freshman Sienna Saggiani, Lent was more than just routine worship. She described it as “a very tradition-based Christian holiday where we sacrifice things for Jesus because he suffered for us.” 

Saggiani emphasized that it wasn’t just about giving something up, but about striving to “be the best person you could be.” While she viewed Lent primarily as a form of sacrifice, she acknowledged that growth could come from it as well.

Freshman Jenna Nash has had a complicated experience this year. Although she connected Lent to the 40 days Jesus Christ spent fasting and preaching, she admitted she didn’t participate due to the challenges of adjusting to college life. 

In past years, she had given up caffeine and saw Lent as a chance for growth. Reflecting on it now, she believed many people misunderstand Lent as simply giving something up, when it’s really about appreciating what you have and following in faith. Despite this year, she said she plans to pick up participation once again in the future.

Freshman Gabby White approached Lent as a time of introspection. She described it as a period for “personal and spiritual reflection,” where sacrifice and growth worked together. 

Even though she felt somewhat disconnected this year because she couldn’t attend church as she regularly does, she still participated by giving up sweets. 

As the season comes to a close, these perspectives show that Lent wasn’t experienced in just one way. Instead, it became a deeply personal journey. One that, for many, lingered even after the 40 days were over.