A Salve senior reflects on her time in Newport

As commencement approaches, one student recalls her four years at Salve Regina University, and time spent on and off campus

Photos by fellow Salve senior Mackenzie Kirby

It wasn’t too long ago that I moved into my freshman year dorm at Salve Regina University. The August heat was giving way to the end of the 2021 tourist season, but the streets were still packed with hundreds of people. Being from Swampscott, Mass., another New England beach town — a much smaller one though — Newport instantly felt familiar. Although parking my overpacked car in front of The Breakers was definitely a new experience.

I chose Salve Regina because of its English Department. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to do something literary, and although I have changed my mind more often than I change my outfit before going out, Salve stood out to me as the place where I could figure out who I was.

Truthfully, it was seeing the Creative Writing and Publishing program here that really caught my attention. It seemed like the perfect way for me to be able to keep studying what I love — literature — as a minor, while also getting a degree that would land me a job.

Over the four years I’ve been here, my love for the written word has evolved into an aspiration to be a publisher. Salve helped me realize this, and without coming to Newport I’m sure I would bein a very different place.

As much as I could go on and on about the Salve English classes I’ve taken, Newport itself has also played such a big role in who I have become. Leaving home was never easy for me, so I was nervous about moving to a new city. It wasn’t always smooth, as the transition to college is difficult for pretty much everyone. But, after a slightly bumpy start I was able to find my footing in Newport.

I remember walking around campus with my new roommate that first night, after our parents had left, and just taking in how surreal it was that we were finally here. The idea of sitting in the same room where people had held lavish balls and dinner parties was an exhilarating feeling. The week-long freshman orientation gave students like me a chance to just take a breath and do things on and off campus that were guided by those who already knew the city. Everywhere we explored those first few weeks had an energy that excited me.

That first week was just the beginning though. Newport offers so many potential new experiences, and looking back, Freshman me didn’t always take advantage of everything that’s here: the ability to walk pretty much anywhere; the endless shopping (maybe not the best for my bank account); great food; and my personal favorite, the nightlife. Essentially, it’s pretty hard to be bored in Newport.

One of my favorite things to do when it’s nice out is to find the perfect outdoor area to do my work. Freshman year it was behind the O’Hare Academic Building, on the lawn overlooking the Cliff Walk. Sophomore year it was behind my dorm, the Young Building, slightly tucked away next to the Carey Mansion. And junior/senior year it’s the deck of my apartment on Spring Street, across from the Newport Public Library.

While students might be too busy during the week to enjoy downtown Newport, the weekend offers much todo. Sometimes I spend the days getting breakfast at Cru Cafe, where there is incredible avocado toast, and then going to Charter Books to see what new releases they have on the shelves. Or my weekend might look like having a relaxed morning doing homework with friends and then getting dinner at Wally’s. Although a lot of the time I really just like to see what the day has in store.

Something that most kids think of when picking a school is how the nightlife will be. One of the things about Newport that makes it a great place to bein college is Thames Street. Over the years, I have tried so many new places that are fun and exciting.

My first two years here, it was easy to find new restaurants like Gas Lamp Grille, The Red Parrot, and Diego’s to go to before seeing what was happening on campus. More recently (since turning 21 Junior year), my friends and I have been able to experience another side of Newport. Going to places like the Newport Blues Cafe, One Pelham East, Smugglers, and many others, I can confidently say that students that like to go out will have fun experiences here.

On an average Saturday night, Thames Street and the popular bars are packed. After spending way too much time deciding which variation of the blue-jean-black-top combo to wear, my friends and I typically begin the night at Smugglers. Although they never have live music or a DJ, it’s always a good vibe for starting out the night.

After a few vodka cranberries, Blues is usually the place to go. On a Saturday, Spiffy Entertainment usually has a DJ, or there’s a live band. Either way, by 11o’clock the crowd is shoulder to shoulder, and you can’t hear anyone over the music.

Although it’s technically a city, Newport is actually pretty small. It feels like anywhere you go, you’re likely to run into someone you know. That’s definitely not everyone’s ideal living situation, but coming from an even smaller community, it makes Newport feel like home.

Four years after I moved here, I have begun to think about the end of my time in Newport. Although I’m excited to start the next chapter of my life, it’s hard to think about saying goodbye. While I wait for graduate school decisions, work opportunities, and commencement preparations, I’m left thinking about everything I’ll be leaving behind.

I won’t live with the same girl I met on the Salve Class of 2025 Facebook page the summer before coming here (who ended up being my roommate all four years), or the girl who lived down the hall from my suite freshman year (we’ve lived together for three years). I might be going back to school, but I won’t be in Antone [Academic Center] where almost all my English classes were held. I’ll also have to pack up my first-ever apartment, where I lived for two years with my best friends.

When commencement takes place on May 18th, 2025, it will be the start of something new for me, and it will also mean leaving Newport. Fortunately, I’ll have all the memories I made here, and I’ll only be a two-hour drive away, for whenever I run out of my favorite lotions from Shore Soap Co.

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Sarah Winters served as the editorial intern at Newport Life during the 2024-2025 academic year. To read more of her contributions, check out our “Living the Life” series.