There are two options when you decide to go to UMass Boston:

1. Commute from home

Living at home and commuting sounds ideal to some students, but it wasn't for me. It would have been a two-hour drive with traffic or a two-hour commute using transit. Four hours out of my day for transportation was never something I wanted to give.

2. Live in off-campus apartment

This is the decision I made. I live around two miles from campus, which means 35 minutes on transit or 25 on a good day. This meant I was paying my own rent, utility bills and eating habits.

And I want to thank my first apartment roommate for sharing this experience with me.

Thanks for sharing your food.

I no longer had my mom to tell me when to eat or go grocery shopping, and I sometimes would forget. Thank you for always feeding me when you saw me even the slightest bit hungry.

Thanks for sharing your clothes.

I never had a sister to share clothes with, but then I met you. I have so many clothes, but it's not enough, so thanks for making your closet mine.

Thanks for making good decisions for me.

Whether you're telling me not to eat that last piece of cake or telling me to study for the next biology exam, a big thanks to you. You're forever my best motivator.

Thanks for always being down for anything.

If I told you I needed french fries at 4 a.m., you'd take me to the nearest diner and call an Uber as soon as I had shoes on. If I told you I needed a hug at 12 in the afternoon, I'd expect you outside my class waiting for me.

Thanks for struggling with me.

I cannot thank you enough for making such a life changing decision with me. Thanks for moving out of our parents' homes together. Thanks for learning to juggle work and school with me. Thanks for learning how to pay bills with me. Thanks for understanding that some nights I couldn't go out because I was broke.

Thanks for being you.

I can't imagine my life without you. I never had a better friend. You've been amazing and by my side through it all. You've seen me at my best and worst in the matter of eight months. I wouldn't want to live with anyone else. Thank you for never judging me. Thank you for being you!