To my fellow Winter Graduates from University,

Congrats! We did it! All those late nights writing term papers and the days spent studying for finals are over and we can move forward into the world. While academics is certainly a huge part, if not the biggest case of stress, in the college experience, there are also a lot of other areas that I look back on fondly as we prepare to cross that stage in our cap and gowns.

Even though our academics were the biggest cause of our stress in college, without this we would not be getting a diploma. So we need to be thankful for it now. But on the other hand, I must say: prerequisites, I will not miss you and I still do not see how some of you helped me at all. (Like why did I need to take statistics? I was a theology major. Yeah, I still don't know either.) But to the professors who challenged me, mentored me, and championed me through their classes and outside of the classroom: thank you. You showed me how important education is and helped shape me into who society will see me as. I am forever grateful.

To the professor who gave me a failing grade when I was convinced I did not deserve it: thank you for showing me how life is not always fair and challenging me to work harder next time. Work ethic is integral in life and you helped show me that University is harder than high school. The real world is hard too, so I needed the reality check.

Now that all my academic formalities are out of the way, here are thank you's to the things that really defined me in college.

Thank you to coffee. Without you, I would have missed class, slept through class and probably dropped out. You always knew just how to pick me up when I was down. I spent way too much money on you and I do not regret a single dollar spent on the extra espresso shot. Yes and amen.

To junk food: you were not good for me but you definitely encouraged me to finish reading sections in my textbook. While I did use you to reward myself one too many times, that is what the on campus gym is there to remedy. I also used you to stress eat at times, so thank you for always being there for me and helping me prove to myself I can eat a whole dozen donuts in one sitting. I was really proud of that moment and then realized it was a horrible idea. Ahhh memories.

To my college friends and amazing roommates - thank you for always being there for me. You became my family during my time on campus and for that I am forever grateful. You saw me at my best and worst and cheered me on through it all. We had two a.m. food runs and way too much take out, and I do not regret a single late night with you. To those who only lasted a season, thank you for being in my life for that season and teaching me things about myself. For those who I still talk to all the time, regardless of the distance between us, know I cherish you. (And if I am not invited to your future wedding, I will just crash it anyways so keep that in mind.)

To Netflix: you are the real MVP. I binge watched more seasons of you when I was procrastinating than I care to admit, but you were a great escape from the reality of finals week and group projects.

Speaking of group projects: thank you for those who actually helped with the projects and made life easier. It didn’t happen very often, but it was nice when it did. (Okay it only happened like once but hey, I'm in a thankful mood.)

Finally, thank you to my support system back home. I would not be walking across that stage without you. I may have finished classes in August, but to walk across this stage means an end of an era for me. It is bittersweet for me as I wear that polyester gown and focus on not tripping like in the Lizzie McGuire Movie. It means I have entered the real world, and I cannot have done that without you. To my friends who have become family and my family who have become friends as I have grown up: I am ready for this because of your support.

Mom and Dad, thank you for loving me through every high and low over the past four and a half years. You are my constants and I know that you will continue to be. You have challenged me and told me that if I want something I will have to work for it. You have told me to hang in there through the bad times. Because of you two and your advice, I am better. You kept me honest and also let me spread my wings. You led me back to God when I was lost. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I love you both so much more than you will ever know. This degree is for you in so many ways.

So as I prepare to walk for graduation, as so many others are as well, I have a lot to be thankful for. Yes, I was exhausted for four years and worked harder than I thought possible, but I survived. That really is what college was about for me, surviving and thriving in the midst of eight classes having projects due the same week. Working hard but also having fun. I will truly miss my college experience, but it is time to move on to better things. I made it through college alive, with stories, and with a little more life experience under my belt. For that, I am rejoicing.

To my Winter Graduates…we did it and that diploma is coming!

Sincerely,

A Girl Who Dreamed of This Moment for Years

P.S. To student loans: I won’t let you ruin my day. At least I got four years of memories to keep me going as I pay you. Oh well. Another post for another day.