During my senior year of high school, I was thankful to have a family that supported my decision to get away for college. I didn't even apply to an instate school. I thank my mom, stepdad, and grandma for traveling all those miles to visit every school to which I applied. The college process was insanely stressful and I was glad to have both family and friends to calm me down when I was about ready to have a break down.
Despite all the stress senior year brought with it, I managed to finish high school. I walked the stage ecstatic to graduate in the top 5% of my class, alongside people I will never forget and others I will most likely never see or talk to again. I remember looking at my family in the stands of the Bob Carpenter Center and seeing their smiling faces and tear-filled eyes.
Weeks into June I welcomed friends and family to my house to celebrate surviving 13 years of school. The amount of people that attended that day will forever remind me of the support I've always had behind the scenes. Everyone was telling me how proud they were of the things I accomplished and all I will accomplish while at college and beyond.
Later that night, I couldn't help but think about how much I appreciated all the cards and words of wisdom from everyone who attended. I also thought about how lucky I was to have such great friends as we sat in my basement playing "Apples To Apples" until five o'clock in the morning.
As summer wraps up, I have wrapped up my life at home. I met with friends for the last time before I left for college and I could not help but cry as I said goodbye to my best friends. Their support will always be with me. My family has shed a few tears over the past few months as they are anticipating what life will be like without me there. I am the first child to go off to college and my parents couldn't be anymore excited, they might be more excited than me at some points.
College has been a crazy, exciting, and stressful change. But throughout this next journey, I know I can accomplish anything. With the support from family and friends, I know I can make them proud.
