An Open Letter To My College Classmates

Dear College Classmates,

I wanted to thank you for now and for the future. Four years is an extremely fast, yet somehow still inherently slow passage of time. It’s a chapter in life that fills the gaps between teenager and adult, and I am so happy to be able to spend it with you. There is a part of me that was and is still terrified of the prospects of moving out and living completely on my own, but there is still the excitement knowing that you will all be by my side along the way. You will be and have been experiencing the same as me. The world is truly beneath all of our feet, and I am so glad to be going through all of this with you.

There will be ups and downs through the years, but the best moments are always going to shine through. I know, of course, there will be down times -- it happens to everyone. What I also am highly aware of is that with you all around me, those times will be miniscule. I am excited to be around people my age. I am excited to learn the new environment. I am excited to be able to support myself.

I’m ready to be able to listen to my peers on a twenty four hour basis. Being able to hear different views on politics, religion, lifestyles, and more is what makes college one of the most wonderful places. Through my teen years I was able to form ideas, but in college I will be able to truly make them known and become who I will be for my future.

I want to thank you ahead of time. Thank you for putting up with me. Thank you for being by my side when times are rough and when times are great. Truthfully, you’re like an extended family all in it’s own. I know twenty years from now I’ll be able to look back at these years as being some of the best of my life. It’s not all about the education, but about the bonds that we form, too. The opportunity to become close to so many people is astounding, and I can’t wait.

The laughs, the tears, the heartbreak, and the memories -- these are all small pieces of what the years will comprise of. Obviously, the tests, the dorm decorating, and the classes, too, but I think I’m most excited to be able to enjoy being with you all. I'm ready for the adventures; the late night ice cream trips, the road trips on the weekends, the bonfires on campus, and the events in the dorms. The entirety of these years are going to be one, huge adventure in itself. I feel so blessed to be able to spend it with you.

Again, thank you. You’re all amazing,

Your Classmate