If you had asked me 5 years ago “Where do you want to go to school at?”, I would have never thought that I would be here at this point attending the best school in the state. Graduating from a small high school with a graduating class of 122 students jumping to a college with 35,000 students scared me to death and I thought that I would never move away from home away from the security of my family and friends and from everything I was familiar with. I was shy and introverted, so there no way that I would go to the most social school in the state, right? One day that day changed.
On my own, I took up the challenge and applied for the University of Georgia. Not thinking that I would get accepted right away, I did and I was ecstatic and shocked. Of course, since I was offered admission, I accepted the offer whole heartedly.
I remember the first day of move in day like it was yesterday. Excitement and frantic both overcame me at the same time because this is the first time ever in my life that I would be living on my own and would be making most of my own decisions. Russell Hall was my first “home away from home”. I chose when I wanted to eat, where I wanted to study at and when, and chose what I wanted to do most of the time without anyone having to ask questions about everything I’m doing. Throughout the semester, I developed a sense of independence which I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. Classes were much harder than I ever expected, but I was willing to go through the hard part to go through the best part of UGA.
My second year was even better. Living on my own place and having my own rent payments only developed my independence away from home. Working a part time job and having a heavy class load really seemed to wear me out most days to where I would not feel like doing anything the majority of days. It was a struggle trying to balance friendships, work, and my education all at the same time.
But I want to thank the University of Georgia for everything that the school has done for me. (even if UGA has made me stay up late hours of the night studying for Organic Chemistry)
I want to thank the University for making me into the person I am today. For challenging me every single day to become bigger and better person, and for always trying to encourage me to try new things. It has shaped me into a person that I am proud of.
Thank you UGA for accepting me as I am and for allowing diversity amongst the students. I was able to learn so much about people and their culture and background. Learning more about people and the way they think is truly one of the most remarkable things that I have discovered while I have attended this University. Coming from a town full of people that were closed minded to a college town where diversity is accepted truly helped educate me and grow as a person.
So, thank you UGA for everything. For challenging me every single day, for opening me up to new ideas, for late nights studying for Organic Chemistry, for giving me opportunities that not everyone has a chance to get, for giving me a beautiful campus to commute in, but most of all, thank you UGA for helping me grow into the person that I am today. And of course, thank you for the dawgs!
Sincerely,
Clay Anderson
