I just want to give a simple thank you and goodbye to the 9 months that changed my life. Day to day, I did not realize how much everything was changing – especially myself. I did not notice how college forced you to grow up, to mature, to be okay leaving home. I was not aware of the immense impact the people I met here would have. (I also didn’t expect it to convince me all-nighters were a good idea, that food at 2 AM always sounded yummy, and that a diet of black coffee and peanut butter was healthy).

Leaving for college makes you realize how special your family and friends from home are. They were with you all along, they helped you grow and be ready for the change you just went through. Even though you physically leave your friends and family at home, you do not truly leave them at all. Do not let them go, make sure to keep in touch with them. Call your parents and grandparents randomly – I promise they’ll appreciate it.

The special thing about college is how new everything is. You are in a brand new place, without anyone but yourself to take care of you, with almost all new people, and you are expected to make this place your new home. But the best part is that you don’t have to do this alone. You will meet people during your freshman year of college and you’ll wonder where they’ve been for the first 18 years of your life. You’ll learn to love them in such a short amount of time and you can’t wait for your friends from home to meet them. You'll find yourself a little "school family." Best friends will be made and you’ll even meet a few of those special people who can make the whole room happy by just walking in.

Freshman year of college is a time of experimentation that helps you find yourself. You may have been this person all along or you may have just changed to become like you are now. Either way, you are different, and that is good. You have learned more than you will immediately notice. Not just academics, but also socially and personally. College forces you to grow up, to be more independent, and to get just a taste of adulthood. Don’t worry, it’s not too much adulthood – you can still make bad decisions and be irresponsible every once in a while. Make memories and take advantage of every moment. It’s important to go to sporting events, school plays, join clubs or try something new. College is full of endless possibilities and this was only the first year of it.

So, this is a thank you to every single part of my freshman year of college: the good, the bad, the ugly, the memories, the mistakes, and most importantly, all of the people I met this year. Thank you for helping me find and make my home away from home. I didn’t know 9 months could make such a big difference but I’m so glad it did. Here’s to the next 3 years!

p.s. thx a bunch Gateway, see you peeps in the fall