Hey you,
As our time together is quickly coming to an end, I feel like it’s time to reflect. People keep asking me how it feels to almost have completed one full year of college. Every time, it takes me a solid two minutes to realize they are talking to me because it in no way feels like I’ve been here for a year; and it takes time formulate an adequate response that isn’t just me shaking my head in disbelief. Although it feels like forever ago that I was moving into my dorm and going to my first class (showing up a good 15 minutes early might I add), it also equally doesn’t feel like I have finished an entire year of college. But that’s what people keep telling me, so I guess it’s time to face my denial.
First off, thank you for providing me a fantastic institution to learn from, and surrounding me with a fantastic group of passionate students. I have met several amazing individuals who have become my friends, had experiences that are truly once in a lifetime and been able to take interesting classes with inspiring professors. The memories I have made these past two semesters will stay with me for a lifetime.
Thank you for putting obstacles in my way and pushing me to my limits. Though this is said with a little bit of sarcasm because I was not expecting to be pushed so far past my limits coming into college, I get it now. The difficult exams, the crippling feelings of homesickness, the loneliness, the professors who assigned an endless amount of work, the people who misunderstood me, the experiences of college dorm life, everything that beat me down. I faced more problems and challenges in these two semesters than I probably dealt with during my entire high school, middle school and elementary school careers combined. Although there isn’t enough money in the world to get me to relive those hard moments, I am also thankful that I was challenged -- academically and socially.
Thank you for teaching me to love myself, to fight for myself, and to grow to understand myself. While the pain and stress you caused me certainly was not fun, in the end I emerged stronger than before. In putting negative people in my day to day life, you forced me to advocate for myself and not take mean comments to heart. In putting hard classes and tough professors in my academic life, you pushed me to further my work ethic and never give up. In making me feel lonely and isolated, you forced me to cultivate a greater sense of self-admiration and inner strength.
All in all, this year with you was more struggle than I expected. Bet, hey, I definitely will drive out of campus in two weeks with some crazy memories to share, that’s for sure.
Here's to next year,
Me.
