Dear First Semester at Pace University,

You have certainly provided your share of challenges. I got sick the first week here, which was expected because my immune system is flawed in every way possible, so that was understandable. I even experienced the health center for the first time, so I’m glad they got to know me early on. Second, because of, apparently, “stress” and a huge “environment change,” I had a horrible breakout that didn’t allow me to wear any makeup for almost two weeks, and cause me to write an odyssey article all about it. But I persevered and went on with my life because missing classes scares me more than finals themselves and I had to keep going. I couldn’t hide in my room forever sulking, and you wouldn’t let me, so thank you for that.

You’ve also had your fair share of incredible experiences, too. I have met some of the greatest people I’ve ever met in my entire life, and I think I’ve had more deep talks at 3 a.m. than I ever had at parties or sleepovers in high school. The people I’ve met are kind, they are caring, and they are supportive (they blew up balloons and bought me candy when I told them I achieved one of my larger goals), and they’re here to pick me up off the floor when I fall. I know no matter where I end up next year, they’ve become lifelong friends, and I’ll always be in touch with them.

Lastly, my dear first semester, you have provided me with some lifelong skills and provided me with the first steps into “adulting” as the kids put it. I’ve learned how to do my own laundry (yes, I’ve done my own laundry probably once before moving to school), budget because I ran out of flex dollars in the first two months, learn to navigate not only the subway by myself, but the streets of New York City to get to my lessons all the way in midtown, and ultimately how to be a happy person. There are a lot of unhappy people in New York City, but I’ve learned not to be one of them.

You’ve taught me that I’m here for a reason, and that hard work ultimately pays off. You’ve taught me that there are good people out there and that they will support me in every situation they can, and you’ve pushed me to be the better version of myself. So, thanks for pushing me, even when I was lazy, because again, hard work pays off.

You have been full of great moments, great connections, and ultimately great people. Plus, you took place in the greatest city in the world, that has edible cookie dough restaurants, food trucks galore, Central Park, and crowds that I learned to love after a while (also appreciated people helping when my friend and I fell in the middle of Fifth Avenue). You have provided (some) interesting classes, but the others were useful, too. You’ve made the transition from home to college easier than expected, and living with a roommate one of the greatest experiences ever.

This first semester, you proved me wrong. You proved that people are good and supportive, even when they don’t know you that well, and that’s something that I’ve always wanted. You’ve made me not hate my hometown and the people in it, and you’ve made me appreciate my dad’s jokes when I hear them. So thank you first semester, for the memories, for the fun, for the disasters, and for an experience of a lifetime.

With love,

Michaela Hoskins