It’s that time of year where college is ending, and people start to graduate. For me, this is a bittersweet time because it means that people in my life are starting this new chapters in their lives, but they’re leaving me. I am happy that they are going to go on and do bigger and better things, but I am sad that they are leaving me.

This is dedicated to all the college seniors who have been in my life this year. I want to say thank you for being great role models. Don’t leave me.

College has been this emotional rollercoaster and I want to put an emphasis on the seniors who are graduating if it weren’t for these people, I would not be where I am today.

I have been fortunate enough to get close with quite a few seniors this semester, and they have been the most epic people who have entered my life. Not only have they taught me how to have fun while maintaining strong grades, but they have been this breath of fresh air.

These people are the examples that college is doable and that I can succeed while in college. It’s weird because right now it feels like it’s all work, the grind never stops, and there is no more in the world. There are moments that test me and test my emotional stamina.

The seniors in my life this year have shown me that the grind doesn’t stop, life is not all work, and life can be fun. Every single time I am with these people I end up laughing my butt off, and that’s a great thing.

I don’t want these people to leave, and I am crying writing this article because I can’t stop them from doing so. I wish they could stay forever and stay underneath my bed for the rest of their lives. I know that’s unrealistic, and I know that they are going to graduate and go on to do amazing things. It’s just sad for me because I want them in my life forever.

These people were a big part to why I loved my second semester in college. Not only did they push me out of my comfort zone as a person, but they taught me a lot.

The seniors in my life taught me the value of friendship. The importance of community, and the importance of not getting sucked into work and not letting that control your life. Also, the value of laughter, I knew it was important, but I didn’t know it was one of the important things to do in life.

Although these people have only been in my life for 2-3 months, they have made this life-lasting impact. I will tell stories about the things they did to make me laugh. I will always remember them as the GOATs of life.

The best part about these people is that they were fearlessly themselves right off the bat. They were these quirky, goofy, driven and deeply intelligent people that don’t care what other people think about them. It’s inspiring and humbling.

To these seniors, thank you. Thank you for being that role model, thank you for teaching me life and how to survive in college. Thank you for being the source of laughter on some of my not so fun days. Thank you for modeling the way and being that face everything is going to be okay.

I miss you guys so much, and please visit like I’ll swipe you guys into the dining hall. I love you guys, continue killing it in life.